In the exciting world of mixed martial arts, one name that has become synonymous with the sport itself is none other than Ultimate Fighting Championship, aka the UFC.
Currently under the stewardship of CEO and President Dana White, the promotion has surpassed all of its competitors to become the top dog promotion in MMA.
During its ascension, it simultaneously acquired the likes of PRIDE, the WEC and Strikeforce- the promotions which ever so slightly posed a rivalry.
There’s no doubt among both fans and pundits of MMA that UFC will continue to soar ahead of its competition. While other promotions go on thriving, they cannot hold a candle to its commanding presence and unmatched popularity.
Below here are five reasons why the UFC will continue its dominance throughout the next decade and no other promotion will seem poised to challenge their supremacy in the mixed martial arts sphere.
UFC’s Star-Studded Fighter Roster
The roster is one of its biggest advantages over its competitors. From rising prospects to producing some of the biggest icons of the sport, the UFC has proven that its roster is the strongest among all MMA promotions. Each year, the Octagon attracts the crème de la crème from all corners of the world, with all of them having one dream- to become a UFC champion.
Many of these fighters come from other promotions to face tougher challenges and to achieve their career peak in the UFC, whereas a number of
veterans, who are past their prime, part ways with the company and join other promotions so they can continue to compete in a lesser difficult setting.
Competitive Weight Classes
From strawweight to heavyweight- the promotion features highly competitive weight classes, showcasing over 600 fighters from 78 countries and each of the weight
classes are stacked from top to bottom. Their events not only feature thrilling contests between top ranked fighters of each division, lower ranked fighters
are also often booked as underdogs to challenge the top stars of that division. Several high-ranking fighters of the weight classes of other promotions many
times start out at the base of the UFC’s weight classes, and even champions from other promotions at times are required to secure a number of wins
against top ranked fighters in a UFC division, before they can challenge the titleholder of that division.
Biggest PPV Numbers and Viewership
When it comes to pay-per-view sales and viewership, there are no other promotions who can match the numbers that the UFC continues to clock on a
regular basis. Aside from their PPV numbers that hover between half a million to over a million buys, the highest that the promotion generated so far is the
historic UFC 229 in 2018 which grossed 2.4 million buys- one of the biggest ever in combat sports. In comparison, the highest PPV buys recorded by its
competitors is a meagre 100,000, clocked by Bellator back in 2014. [Source: Tapology]
Brand Recognition and Prestige
Since its inauguration in 1993, the UFC has made an unprecedented rise to success. To the majority of MMA fans, the promotion has even surpassed being just a
promotion, and has transformed itself into a synonym of the sport of mixed martial arts itself, further solidifying its supremacy over its rival promotions.
Nearly all MMA fighters envision winning a UFC Championship as the pinnacle of their careers, while they view titles from other promotions as mere stepping
stones, making clinching a UFC title an unparalleled honour in the combat sports sphere.
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The Promotion’s Massive Marketing Approach
Another one of the UFC’s strongest aspects is its constant efforts into massive marketing of its fighters and events. From articulation of delectable storytelling
to formation of intriguing drama and hair-raising rivalries, the promotion has its fanbase emotionally gripped with its contemporary happenings.
One such example is the “UFC Countdown” short film series, which bring forth details about fighters ahead of events- from their training regime and fighting
persona to their hobbies, family and personal life- further enticing and thrilling the fans before the fight.
