General
Top Promotions and Leagues within MMA
There are many mixed martial arts (MMA) promotions around the world, but the following are generally considered the top eight.
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Based in the United States, the UFC is the largest and most well-known MMA promotion in the world. Founded in 1993, the UFC has a global reach and features some of the top fighters in the sport, including Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, and Israel Adesanya.
ONE Championship
Based in Singapore, ONE Championship is an Asian-based promotion that has rapidly grown in popularity in recent years. The promotion features a mix of local and international fighters and hosts events in countries across Asia.
Bellator MMA
Based in the United States, Bellator MMA is a leading promotion that features a mix of established and up-and-coming fighters. The promotion has a strong presence in the United States and Europe and has featured notable fighters such as Michael Chandler, Ryan Bader, and Patricio Freire.
Rizin Fighting Federation
Based in Japan, Rizin Fighting Federation is a leading Japanese promotion that features a mix of local and international fighters. The promotion has gained a reputation for hosting unique and exciting events, and has featured notable fighters such as Floyd Mayweather Jr., Muhammad "King Mo" Lawal, and Kyoji Horiguchi.
KSW
Based in Poland, KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki) is a leading European promotion that has gained a reputation for hosting high-level events featuring top European talent. The promotion has featured notable fighters such as Mariusz Pudzianowski, Mamed Khalidov, and Michal Materla.
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, 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.
The Professional Fighters League (PFL)
An American mixed martial arts promotion based in Washington D.C. Founded in 2018, the PFL operates a unique format in which fighters compete in a regular season, playoffs, and championship event to determine a season champion in each weight class. The promotion has featured notable fighters such as Lance Palmer, Natan Schulte, and Kayla Harrison.