No matter which of the combat sports you’re into, 2022 is turning out to be a big year for the fighting octagons and boxing rings of the world. From record pay-per-view numbers to pop culture domination, combat sports like MMA have grown tremendously popular in recent years.
The best MMA fighters are now some of the world’s highest-paid athletes, garnering millions of fans with their martial arts prowess. However, no one seems to agree on why these sports have risen in popularity at such a rapid rate. For that reason, we’ve put together seven factors that are turning combat sports into one of the biggest sports entertainment spectacles in the world.
Keeping it simple
If we compare boxing to MMA, it’s easy to see why octagons are turning out to be the favored option for many combat sports fans. MMA dramatically compresses the action, offering far more simplicity in terms of weight divisions, for example.
Boxing has 17 different weight divisions, while MMA only has eight in total. Boxing has 12 rounds that last for three minutes each. MMA has five rounds, each one lasting up to five minutes. This compacted format appears to resonate more with modern audiences.
Pop culture relevance
Thanks to critically acclaimed TV series like Kingdom, and blockbuster films like Never Back Down, MMA has had plenty of time in the limelight. Even if you aren’t a fan of MMA, there’s a fair chance you’ve heard of several of the sport’s celebrities, such as Dana White, Joe Rogan, and Conor McGregor.
Joe Rogan’s podcast, named the Joe Rogan Experience, has nearly twelve million listeners per episode. It’s the world’s biggest podcast, diving into all manner of subjects covering a broad range of topics.
Rewarding exercise
Health and wellness are becoming top priorities these days, and the adrenaline of MMA training has given many of us some much-needed motivation to get stuck into our fitness goals
The added benefit of learning to defend yourself in a fight is something that shouldn’t be taken lightly. It’s empowered countless people to become more confident, giving them a healthy outlet for aggression. In addition, it’s also one of the safest ways of knowing whether or not you can hold your ground in a one-on-one fight.
Diversity in spades
Punching a punching bag is all well and good, but it’s a lot more exciting to throw in a few kicks, elbow shots, and knee thrusts. The variety of offensive and defensive moves inherent to MMA is second to none, making it an incredibly unique combat discipline.
Typically, combat sports have favored male competitors in the past, particularly in terms of profitability and viewership numbers. However, MMA has brought a number of prominent female fighters to the attention of world media. Take Rhonda Rousey and Gina Carano, for example, both of whom have successfully managed to become Hollywood stars.
Action above everything
By combining a compressed format with varied fighting styles, the latest combat sports have the innate ability to surprise and delight spectators, at least when compared to more traditional combat sports.
Whether it’s knockouts, grapple finishes, or closely fought battles of attrition, modern combat sports like MMA have found the perfect formula to excite and entertain, evidenced by the unprecedented growth of competitions like UFC and the ONE Championship.
The rise of influencers
Last year, Conor McGregor was the world’s highest-paid athlete, beating the likes of Lionel Messi, Christiano Ronaldo, and LeBron James. Whether you’re a fan of his or not, McGregor’s success is undeniably worthy of respect.
The Irish Jiu-Jitsu prodigy isn’t the only fighter manipulating social media to his advantage. Youtube sensations like Jake Paul and KSI have used their immense social followings to aid their entry into the ranks of high-profile combat sports personalities.
Rivalries and showmanship
From the anime-themed entrances of Israel Adesanya to the emphatic victory rituals of Tyson Fury, combat sports have no shortage of theatricality. As the saying goes, they give the people what they want, filling entire stadiums full of dedicated fans.
We briefly mentioned pay-per-view numbers earlier, but it’s worth noting that these viewership numbers are nothing short of astonishing, especially when you consider how relatively obscure many combat sports have been over the years. It’s a clear sign that combat sports will continue to grow and, with strong leadership directing its path, MMA’s future is certainly looking bright.
