Over the last two decades, mixed martial arts (MMA) has grown from a small, niche combat sport into a global phenomenon. In the early days of the sport, it was often associated with violence and lacked the mainstream appeal of other combat sports, such as boxing and wrestling. However, in recent years, MMA has become more popular and widely accepted, thanks in part to the growth of organizations such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
One of the biggest reasons for the growth of MMA is the increased visibility of the sport. In the early 2000s, the UFC was struggling financially and was almost bankrupt. However, in 2001, the company was purchased by Zuffa LLC, a group of investors led by Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, who had a vision for the sport. They began to invest heavily in marketing and promoting the sport, which helped to increase its visibility and attract new fans.
Another factor in the growth of MMA is the increased professionalism of the sport. In the early days, the rules of the sport were relatively lax, and many fighters had little formal training. However, as the sport has grown, there has been a focus on safety and regulation, with organizations such as the UFC implementing stricter rules and regulations. This has helped to make the sport more legitimate and has attracted a wider audience.
In addition, the growth of MMA has been aided by the rise of social media and streaming services. In the past, fans had to tune in to specific TV channels to watch fights, but now they can easily stream them online, which has made the sport more accessible. Social media has also played a role, with fighters and organizations using platforms such as Twitter and Instagram to promote their fights and connect with fans.
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