UFC
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is the largest mixed martial arts promotion in the world, based in the United States. It was founded in 1993 and has played a significant role in popularizing MMA globally. UFC is the best organization ever. They have the best and top fighters in the world.
UFC is the grandest of all for sure. All the legendary guys, groups, and fights came from the UFC and still do - the three "G's."
UFC is the leading MMA organization around the globe.
Oktagon MMA
Oktagon MMA is a European-based mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2016, headquartered in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It features fighters from across Europe and focuses on growing the MMA scene in Central and Eastern Europe.
Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW)
KSW, or Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki, is a leading Polish MMA promotion founded in 2004. It is known for its large-scale events and high production values, with many top European fighters competing under its banner. It's rising and rising. Decent fighters. One of the best organizations in Europe for sure.
Very good organization, but they just need a bit more foreign fighters.
The current UFC Light Heavyweight champion came from KSW! The great Jan Blachowicz.
PRIDE FC
PRIDE Fighting Championships was a Japanese MMA organization founded in 1997 and was one of the largest promotions in the world during its time. It was acquired by the UFC in 2007, and its legacy remains influential in the sport. Yeah, UFC is the big dog now, but back in the day, it was PRIDE. I believe PRIDE did some shady stuff, but I think it helped the UFC get to where it is by providing competition and goals for the UFC. Until PRIDE was sold, it had the better heavyweights, regardless of what Sonnen says.
PRIDE was the greatest. They had all the best fighters in the world at the time (Fedor, Nogueira, Mirko, Hendo, Wanderlei, Shogun, Jackson, etc.).
PRIDE is the best.
ONE Championship
ONE Championship is an Asia-based MMA promotion founded in 2011, headquartered in Singapore. It promotes not only MMA but also kickboxing and Muay Thai, with a focus on Asian athletes and martial arts traditions. ONE Championship has grown amazingly fast to challenge the standards of UFC.
Better after UFC, and you can see respect between athletes.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Bellator Fighting Championships, founded in 2008 and based in the U.S., is one of the largest MMA promotions globally. It uses a traditional event format and features a roster of international fighters across various weight divisions. Top fighters fight for titles, unlike the UFC, which doesn't always give interim champs title shots (Tony Ferguson, Colby Covington, and they stripped Montano for no apparent reason). UFC is just awful for fighters unless you are a star. That is why Bellator is my current favorite organization.
Bellator pays fighters well and has top talent. In my opinion, it will take over as the number one organization in MMA within the next decade.
Great organization. Very simple and professional venue - no fireworks going off during fighter introductions.
Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB)
Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB) is a Russian MMA promotion founded in 2012. It has hosted events internationally and is known for its high-level competition featuring fighters from Eastern Europe and beyond.
Strikeforce
Strikeforce was a U.S.-based MMA promotion that operated from 1985 to 2013 before being acquired by the UFC. It was known for developing top-tier fighters, including some who later transitioned to the UFC. Strikeforce
KJ Noons, Josh Thomson, Gilbert Melendez, Mariusz Zaromskis, Nick Diaz, Jake Shields, Jason Miller, Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza, Robbie Lawler, Cung Le, Frank Shamrock, Renato 'Babalu' Sobral, Gegard Mousasi, Mohammed Lawal, Brett Rogers, Antonio Silva, Alistair Overeem, Fedor Emelianenko.
M-1 Global
M-1 Global is a Russian MMA promotion established in 1997. It is one of the longest-running MMA organizations and has held events across Europe, Russia, and North America.
WEC
The World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) was a U.S.-based MMA promotion that operated from 2001 until its merger with the UFC in 2010. It focused primarily on lighter weight classes such as bantamweight and featherweight. World Extreme Cagefighting
Brian Bowles, Miguel Torres, Dominick Cruz, Javier Vazquez, Jens Pulver, Chan Sung Jung, Manny Gamburyan, Mike Brown, Urijah Faber, Jose Aldo, Jamie Varner, Ben Henderson, Donald Cerrone.
The Newcomers
? Invicta Fighting Championships
Invicta Fighting Championships is an American MMA promotion founded in 2012 that focuses exclusively on women's mixed martial arts. It has become a major platform for female fighters, many of whom have gone on to compete in the UFC and other major promotions.
? XFN
Xtreme Fighting Nation (XFN) is a U.S.-based regional MMA promotion. It focuses on developing local talent in the southeastern United States, providing fighters a platform to compete at a professional level.
The Contenders
DREAM
DREAM was a Japanese MMA promotion that operated between 2008 and 2012, succeeding PRIDE FC as one of Japan's major organizations. It featured many prominent fighters from around the world. DREAM
Shinya Aoki, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Gesias Cavalcante, Marius Zaromskis, Hayato Sakurai, Ryo Chonan, Melvin Manhoef, Kazushi Sakuraba, Kiyoshi Tamura, Rameau Sokoudjou, Renato 'Babalu' Sobral, Josh Barnett, Bob Sapp, Alistair Overeem, Jeff Monson, Sergei Kharitonov.
Extreme Fighting Championship
Extreme Fighting Championship (EFC) is a South African-based MMA promotion founded in 2009. It is one of the leading organizations in Africa, hosting events across the continent with a focus on African fighters. Best MMA on TV right now.
Cage Warriors
Cage Warriors is a UK-based MMA promotion that has been operating since 2001. It is known for being a proving ground for European talent, with several fighters moving on to compete in the UFC.
Rizin
Rizin Fighting Federation is a Japanese MMA promotion founded in 2015 by former PRIDE FC president Nobuyuki Sakakibara. It features both MMA and kickboxing matches and has gained attention for its grand spectacle events.
Brave Combat Federation
Brave Combat Federation, founded in 2016 and based in Bahrain, is an international MMA promotion. It focuses on fostering talent from emerging MMA markets, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.
King of the Cage (KOTC)
King of the Cage (KOTC) is an American MMA promotion founded in 1998. It has held events globally and is known for developing future talent, with many fighters going on to compete in larger organizations like the UFC.
Legacy Fighting Championship
Legacy Fighting Championship, founded in 2009 in the United States, was a regional MMA promotion before merging with Resurrection Fighting Alliance to form Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) in 2017. It served as a platform for up-and-coming fighters to showcase their skills.
Jungle Fight
Jungle Fight is a Brazilian MMA promotion founded in 2003 by former fighter Wallid Ismail. It is one of the leading organizations in South America, featuring top talent from Brazil and neighboring countries.
Lyon Fighting Championship
Lyon Fighting Championship is a French MMA promotion. It hosts regional events in France and is focused on developing local talent in the growing European MMA scene.
Combate Global
Combate Global, formerly known as Combate Americas, is a U.S.-based MMA promotion founded in 2011 that focuses on promoting Latin American fighters. It highlights athletes from Spanish-speaking countries and has a significant Hispanic audience.
CES MMA
CES MMA is a regional American MMA promotion founded in 2010 and based in New England. It has hosted numerous events featuring local and international fighters, many of whom have advanced to larger organizations like the UFC.
Fight Night Global
Fight Night Global is a Russian MMA promotion founded in 2010. It is known for hosting events throughout Russia and Europe and featuring a diverse roster of fighters from Eastern Europe and beyond.