The Best MMA Organizations in the World: A Ranking
- Austin Jones
- Jul 11, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 6
Introduction
MMA has grown globally in popularity over the past few decades. What was an underground sport has become a mainstream phenomenon with millions of viewers worldwide. While the UFC is MMA, the sport has many organizations, each contributing to its growth.
In this article we rank the top MMA promotions worldwide based on popularity, talent pool, production quality and global reach. Each promotion has its strengths and target audience, so MMA fans have plenty of content to choose from.
1. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
Country: USA
Founded: 1993
President: Dana White
Headquarters: Las Vegas, Nevada
The UFC is the largest MMA promotion and the king of MMA and has changed the sport into a billion-dollar industry. With the biggest roster featuring superstars like Conor McGregor, Jon Jones and Israel Adesanya the UFC has the deepest talent pool in MMA.
Why UFC is on top
Production Value: HD broadcasts, expert commentary and engaging storylines.
Global Reach: UFC has events all over the world, from Las Vegas to Abu Dhabi.
Fighter Salaries: Top UFC fighters earn millions, lower ranked fighters earn between $10,000 and $30,000 per fight. Bonuses and sponsorships can add to the earnings.
Massive Social Media Presence: UFC fighters have a huge following and can monetize their brand.
Exclusive Deals: UFC has deals with ESPN and pay-per-view platforms gives it an unbeatable exposure.
While the UFC has the best competition, it has also been criticized for fighter pay and contracts. Many fighters look for other promotions where they can earn more through sponsorships.
2. Bellator MMA
Country: USA
Founded: 2008
President: Scott Coker
Headquarters: Santa Monica, California
Bellator MMA is seen as the UFC’s biggest competitor, offering a fighter friendly environment with big sponsorship deals.
Bellator has legendary fighters like Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader. Bellator is one of the main promotions where fighters can showcase their skills on a bigger stage.
What makes Bellator unique?
Tournament Format: Fighters have a clear path to titles.
Higher Fighter Pay: Some fighters earn more here than in the UFC because of sponsorship flexibility.
Streaming Expansion: Bellator’s deal with DAZN has increased global exposure.
Despite its strengths Bellator can’t match the UFC’s viewership numbers and global reach.
3. ONE Championship
Country: Singapore
Founded: 2011
CEO: Chatri Sityodtong
Headquarters: Singapore
ONE Championship has become Asia’s number one MMA promotion.
With a mix of MMA, Muay Thai and kickboxing ONE offers a unique experience. ONE Championship represents modern MMA by combining traditional martial arts with modern elements, creating an innovative and entertaining product.
What makes ONE Championship unique
Martial Arts Values: ONE promotes honor, respect and discipline.
Huge Asian Market: ONE has presence in China, Thailand and Singapore making it a force to be reckoned with in the East.
Weight Cutting Rules: ONE bans extreme weight cutting, prioritizing fighter health.
ONE has grown fast but hasn’t cracked the Western market like the UFC.
4. Professional Fighters League (PFL)
Country: USA
Founded: 2017
CEO: Peter Murray
PFL is different with a season based format where fighters compete for a $1 million championship prize.
Why PFL stands out
Regular Season & Playoffs: Fighters accumulate points, making matchups more meaningful.
Higher Pay for Champions: The $1M prize attracts top talent.
Broadcast Partner: ESPN has given PFL credibility.
PFL is still growing but its structured format is appealing to fans and fighters.
5. Rizin Fighting Federation
Country: Japan
Founded: 2015
President: Nobuyuki Sakakibara
Rizin FF revives Pride FC’s legacy with theatrics, freak fights and Japanese martial arts traditions. Rizin has featured big names like Floyd Mayweather, showing its commitment to high profile fighters.
What makes Rizin unique
Exciting Production: Elaborate entrances, crossover events and spectacle driven cards.*
Strong Japanese Talent: Rizin attracts Asian and Eastern European fighters.
But Rizin’s reach is mainly limited to Asia.
6. KSW (Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki)
Country: Poland
Founded: 2004
KSW is Europe’s number one MMA promotion, with elite Polish fighters and sold out stadiums.
KSW has produced many notable fighters who have made an impact in the MMA world.
7. Cage Warriors
Country: United Kingdom
Founded: 2001
Cage Warriors is famous for developing fighters who later transition to the UFC, including Conor McGregor. It has been a launching pad for top fighters who have gone on to achieve great success in big promotions.
8. Invicta FC
Country: USA
Founded: 2012
Invicta FC is the top women’s MMA organization, helping develop female fighters for the UFC and Bellator.
9. ACA (Absolute Championship Akhmat)
Country: Russia\
Founded: 2014
ACA is the dominant Russian MMA promotion, featuring some of the best Eastern European talent.
10. LFA (Legacy Fighting Alliance)
Country: USA
Founded: 2017
LFA is a stepping stone to the UFC, focusing on developing future stars.
Honorable Mentions
While the top 10 promotions rule the MMA world, several up and coming organizations are making noise:
Brave CF (Bahrain): Expanding globally fast.
Eagle FC (Russia): Founded by Khabib Nurmagomedov, targeting international talent.
CFFC (USA): A strong feeder league to the UFC.
These organizations add to the ever growing depth of MMA talent worldwide.
Conclusion
The MMA world is very diverse, with promotions for different audience and fighters. While the UFC is the biggest, Bellator, ONE Championship and PFL are alternatives.
As MMA evolves these promotions will shape the future of the sport, giving fighters more opportunities and fans moregreat moments.
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