General

Top Promotions and Leagues within MMA

READING TIME
3 MIN

There are many mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions around the world, but the following are generally considered the top eight.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Founded by Dana White and the Fertitta brothers in 1993, the UFC began as an underground fighting league in Denver, Colorado, and pioneered the modern mixed martial arts market. Keeping a breakneck schedule of weekly Fight Nights and 12 Pay-Per-Views annually, the UFC has grown into the largest MMA promotion in the world by a significant margin. You can stream and purchase all events and view results on ESPN. Some of its most notable stars include Conor McGregor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Jon Jones.

The Professional Fighters League (PFL)

Formerly known as the World Series of Fighting (WSOF), the PFL was created in 2018. Since then, it has seen a meteoric rise in popularity and talent, rivaling the world's top promotions. Its schedule consists of a unique format, implementing seasons, playoffs, and championship finals with a $1 million prize at the end. Some of its top talents are Kayla Harrison, Larissa Pacheco, and Claressa Shields. Other well-known fighters are Anthony Pettis, Marlon Moraes, and Thiago Santos.

ONE Championship

"The Home of Martial Arts" is an affectionate fan-given name for the Singapore-based promotion. Largely dominating the Asian market, ONE holds all sorts of events, from Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, Kickboxing, and hybrids of the four. Its formula to success lies within its dedication to the authentic way of martial arts and skill. ONE pushes the best to face the best and challenge themselves to reach their true potential. Respect and honor are significant parts of their culture and are upheld by many fighters. Some of those are Demetrious Johnson, Rodtang Jitmuangnon, and Stamp Fairtex.

Bellator MMA

Bellator is an American promotion that has been the home of some of the greatest fighters of all time. Their dedication is second to none, and many of their fighters have been champions in organizations such as ONE and the UFC. Bellator features a strong talent pool of young mixed martial artists and many legends in the game as well. Some of their most notable fighters include Fedor Emelianenko, Patricio 'Pitbull' Freire, and A.J. McKee.

Rizin Fighting Federation

The heir to Pride FC, Rizin is a Japanese MMA promotion that, much like one, embodies the martial arts spirit. From open-weight fights to grand prix, Rizin will put on any show. They've featured top talents such as Floyd Mayweather, Gab Garcia, and Jiri Prochazka.

KSW

The fighting pride of Poland, Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW), is known for its top talents and strong representation across Europe. Often an avenue to the UFC for many hopefuls, it's been home to fighters such as Jan Blachowicz, Mariusz Pudzianowski, and Mateusz Gamrot.

Cage Warriors

Based in the United Kingdom, Cage Warriors is a leading European promotion that has a strong presence in the UK and Ireland. The promotion has a reputation for showcasing up-and-coming talent and has featured notable fighters such as Michael Bisping, Dan Hardy, Paddy Pimblett, and Conor McGregor.

Invicta FC

A leading all-women's mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion based in the United States. Founded in 2012, the promotion has gained a reputation for showcasing some of the top female fighters in the world, including Cris Cyborg, Amanda Nunes, and Rose Namajunas. Invicta FC hosts events featuring a variety of weight classes, including Bantamweight, Featherweight, and Flyweight.

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