7 Reasons Why MMA Will Become Bigger Than Boxing
7 Reasons Why MMA Will Become Bigger Than Boxing
Boxing will always be one of the biggest combat sports in the world but mixed martial arts (MMA) has become more popular than ever in recent years. It could grow even more popular in the future, especially with the release of big-budget films like The Warrior and The Philly Kid that present MMA as a legitimate sport in the eyes of many people who don’t watch it regularly.
Added to that, there are growing opportunities for sports betting on MMA fights, leading to more fans in the form of gamblers. Here are seven compelling reasons why we could see MMA surpass boxing in terms of popularity.
UFC Fan Base Is Growing Much Faster Than Boxing
The UFC has expanded into a global phenomenon, and its fan base continues to grow much faster than that of boxing. The biggest knock on mixed martial arts is that it draws from such a niche market; that isn’t true anymore. According to viewing stats, MMA fights regularly have over 1 million viewers tuning in, the majority of which, but not all, come from the United States.
UFC Fighters Are Young, Vibrant, and Exciting
Compared to boxing, UFC fighters are young, vibrant, and exciting. The up-and-coming generation of UFC fighters will lead a renaissance in fighting that’s bound to captivate audiences for years to come. Look at Conor McGregor, who regularly appears on late-night talk shows and even has his own clothing line! That type of exposure would be unimaginable for a fighter in any other sport, such as boxing.
The UFC Social Media Page Is Doing the Job Better Than Boxing
The UFC social media page is doing a fantastic job of promoting upcoming fights and showing fans what’s on tap for their favorite fighters. The official UFC Twitter account typically has a running countdown to big matches that it encourages fans to retweet in order to reveal more information about upcoming bouts.
It also promotes special content on its social media pages, such as interviews with fighters, behind-the-scenes footage, and video montages of previous fights. On Facebook, there are regular posts highlighting some of the biggest moments from past events.
Overall, these efforts make it much easier for fans to stay up-to-date on everything going on in professional MMA. This ensures the sport stays current with the younger generation, who gain most of their information and news from social media pages!
Floyd Mayweather Does Not Need More Fans, He Needs New Opponents
Despite Mayweather’s record-breaking earnings and popularity, there is no doubt that his luster has dimmed in recent years. The world wants to see an exciting fight, and unfortunately for Floyd, he does not provide that. Just ask Pacquiao what it was like to be on the receiving end of a Money Fight. To put it mildly, it was far from exhilarating, with critics seeming it a complete letdown despite being one of the most hotly-anticipated sporting events of the time.
In short, Mayweather needs new opponents if he wants to regain his lost market share. If he does, we’re sure to see another huge surge in MMA’s popularity.
Dana White Is Smart About Marketing His Sport
White doesn’t just have good marketing; he also has passion and a drive to promote mixed martial arts. In fact, he’s often thought to do what’s better for promoters rather than fighters. This has led to White becoming a controversial character among MMA fans.
Although Dana White’s marketing tactics generate better viewing figures for UFC fights, fans often feel he’s not supporting his fighters adequately. But, this controversy gets people talking – as they say, there’s no such thing as bad publicity.
Mixed Martial Arts Is Perceived as Safer Than Boxing
Mixed martial arts is a full-contact sport, but its athletes don’t wear heavy gloves—and there are no head blows permitted. Many people see that as a safer way to fight than boxing, which has been linked to brain injuries and early-onset dementia. There might be a greater risk of cuts to the face during an MMA fight, but this is a small price to pay compared with direct punches to the head in boxing!
In addition, because fights are shorter in duration in mixed martial arts competitions, there’s less time to become injured – fans don’t want to see their favorite fighters getting hurt!
Younger Audience Means a Bigger Future
With an audience that skews significantly younger than boxing, there is a lot of room for growth in MMA. Although it might seem like viewers and fans are limited to those who watch fighting and combat sports on television, it’s also important to note that people under 16 or 18 aren’t allowed to watch professional MMA fights in many venues. So, there are many more potential MMA fans who haven’t yet gotten into fights or started watching them on TV or in person, yet.
