25 Reasons MMA Will Be the Biggest Sport in the World

The sport of mixed martial arts has been growing rapidly in recent months, making it poised to join the mainstream sports world.

Recently, the UFC announced its deal with FOX, bringing MMA right to the homes of millions of Americans next to the MLB and NFL.  Not to let boxing foreshadow their first event on FOX, UFC President Dana White also announced that UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will defend his title against Junior dos Santos on the card scheduled for the same night as the Manny Pacquiao fight.

And to put the cherry on top, White also announced that newly signed heavyweight Alistair Overeem will take on former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at the end of the year.

With so much going on, the sport just keeps getting bigger and bigger.

Here are 25 reasons why the sport of MMA will become the biggest sport in the world.

25. Trash Talking

Although many of the pre-fight diatribes are non-serious remarks meant to build up a fight, trash talking has become a guilty pleasure for MMA fans.

In almost every other sport, talking down an opponent or getting into heated verbal battles is frowned upon.  But in MMA, trash talking is almost a necessity.

What would we do without the Chael Sonnens of the world?

Bringing in intensity and often times humor, trash talking gets fans pumped for fights and gives fighters an extra reason to give it their all in the cage.

24. Social Media

The biggest edge that MMA has over other sports is its unique use of social media to promote and showcase fights.

With the UFC putting on preliminary bouts on Facebook and Bellator announcing that it will be streaming fights on SpikeTV.com, tech savvy fans can now watch more fights over an interactive medium.

Watching highlights and interviews on Youtube or a promotion's own site gets fans involved in a way that other sports just can't do.

As MMA continues to grow, the use of social media will take an even bigger role.

23. Fights Never Get Old

Whether a fight happened six days or six years ago, fans can watch old events over and over again and still be entertained.

Seeing a highlight reel knockout or an all out war between two fighters are timeless occurrences that transcend the norm.

For instance, watching an old MLB game does not conjure up the same feelings as watching it live because you know the results already.  The journey is not as exciting.

But with a fight, seeing how one man defeated another is always exciting because the journey is what makes the experience.  Dissecting how the fight went down and what factors led to a victory are great little things MMA fans enjoy.

Also, seeing old events helps give fans a better understanding for how a fighter has evolved over his career.

It's true what they say: Fights never get old!

22. Educated Fanbase

Promotions can advertise as much as they want but the people that will really sway outside observers is the educated fanbase.

Critics and people on the fence about the sport won't fully understand what's going on until a friend explains it.

The passion and enthusiasm by MMA fans is matched with their knowledge of the sport, making them the perfect conduits to bring about a better understanding of MMA to the community at large.

These knowledgeable fans are the lynch pin for the sport's long term success. 

21. Variety of Action

Unlike boxing, racing and other one dimensional sports, MMA has a constant flow of actions.

Whether it's standing up, in the clinch or on the ground, there are so many possibilities and endless routes for fights to go.

There is so much excitement because of all the what-ifs and variety of action.  Fans can stay entertained no matter what is going on and casual observers can get sucked into the constant change of pace.

20. Global Appeal

Martial arts and fighting are concepts universal to every culture and every people.

Regardless of whether you are in Japan or in the outback of Australia, tribes and civilizations around the world have been practicing combat sports since the dawn of man.

At the core of every sport, fighting is present because sports are an emulation of war.  How much closer can you get than actual combat?

Each country has its own tradition and seeing its best stars take on other world champions gets fans around the world excited.

The sport has easily grown into various global markets because fighting is universal.

19. Rivalries

Every sport needs a good rivalry and MMA has some of the best.

Evans vs. Jones, Evans vs. Rampage, Sonnen vs. Brazil.  These wars of words become even more entertaining because they are carried out in the cage.

The tension they create and hype they build gets fans excited for grudge matches and makes the fights more interesting.

Just like with team sports, fans take sides, making for explosive dialogues that are at the back bone of sports entertainment. 

18. The Ultimate Fighter

The UFC's long running reality show has had a great impact on the sport.

Whether it's the entertaining personality clashes on the show or classic finale battles, the Ultimate Fighter has made a huge mark on MMA.

Now that the show is going live and fans can vote on the fights, the show's new fan interaction will bring the sport to a new level.

17. Creative Fighters

No other sport offers as much freedom and possibility for creativity as MMA.

When you blend every style of martial art, moves that would never be seen in kickboxing or boxing come to fruition.  Fighters also are able to fuse not just styles, but specific moves, to create truly unique highlights.

Not every fight is going to have a "Showtime Kick," but the possibility exists for that and for moves yet to be created to be showcased.

16. Jon Jones

Jon Jones' stardom has been on a meteoric rise since taking the belt from Shogun Rua in March.

A superb wrestler and creative striker, Jones is still only in his early 20s and will make a splash as champion if he can retain his belt against Rampage Jackson later this month.

Jones has the potential to be a legend, some even think he came be MMA's Michael Jordan.

If he continues to blow past opponents and perform as brilliantly as he already has, his star power will only rise.

That is very significant for MMA because every sport needs a superstar that is more than just personality. True sports stars have the name, the voice and the talent, aspects that Jones already possesses. 

As Jones continues to grow as a champion, so will the sport that surrounds him.

15. Slick Submissions

What Royce Gracie did in 1993 was not just a confirmation of the importance of the grappling arts, but it also brought a whole new aspect of combat to the general public.

Before him, not that many people outside of the martial arts world knew that you can stop an opponent by a submission—especially not with such crazy moves as a gogoplata or kimura.

Almost 20 years later, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in itself is growing to be one of the biggest martial arts that is practiced all over the world.

Seeing these slick submissions is a thing of beauty to the trained eye and can be just as exciting as a knockout.

15. Warrior

The first mainstream MMA movie, the opening of Warrior this weekend is a significant moment for the sport.

Already receiving favorable reviews, Warrior shows that MMA is starting to have an influence in the artistic world of cinema.  Unlike its predecessors, this film showcases MMA as not just brutal or violent, but that there is heart and passion that drives these athletes.

Every other sport has that classic film that truly embodies the spirit of it and now MMA has its own.  

Warrior is more than just MMA's version of these films, but it marks the opening up of the sport to future projects.  Already, Kevin James is starring in an MMA comedy, proving that the sport is appealing to not just drama, but other genres as well.

For MMA to truly become the biggest sport, it has to have an appeal that transcends sports and Warrior marks the beginning of that transcendence. 

14. Monstrous Heavyweights

The heavyweight rankings have swelled with tons of talent in recent months.

For a combat sport to be successful, the heavyweights need to be not only monstrous, but skilled as well. These giants incite the passion of fans which is why the title "world heavyweight champion" is so awe-inspiring.

As long as the big promotions continue to scout out and bring in talented heavyweights, they should have no problem getting new fans excited for MMA.

13. Amazing Comebacks

Amazing comebacks in sports make for legendary moments.

In MMA, watching one live is a thing of beauty.  Seeing the heart and intensity of a fighter who battles through a beat down gets fans amped and wanting more.

Add in these tiny gloves, and anything can happen over the course of a fight which makes MMA the most exciting sport in the world.

12. Ring Girls

Do I really need to say why?

11. Brock Lesnar

The biggest name in the UFC, Brock Lesnar has brought on millions of fans thanks to his massive frame, history in the WWE and larger than life personality.

Who knows how long his career will last, but his impact on the sport has already been felt and will continue to aid MMA on its journey to global dominance.

The attention he's gained in the United States should translate well to the overseas markets, especially in Japan as they are well known for their love of gigantic fighters.

Brock is back and his upcoming bout with Alistair Overeem should be one of the biggest events in MMA history.

10. Dominant Champions

As the sport moves into the mainstream after so much growth, we forget to realize that the sport is still only two decades old.

The dominant champions we see today will be legends to our grandchildren, which is why guys like Anderson Silva are so important to the sport.  Every sport needs a history.

The fighters cleaning out their divisions today won't be here forever, but their impact will go on for years to come.

Look at Chuck Liddell, Royce Gracie and Randy Couture. These big names are already living legends and their careers only ended recently.

The rich history that continues to grow in this sport is the foundation for any future growth.  A global take over by MMA will be built off this solid foundation of legendary champions.

9. Wild Knockouts

The one aspect that has attracted fans to fight sports for decades is the knockout.

Whether it's a head kick, Superman punch or even a power bomb, the knockout is the single most exciting finish in all of combat sports.  What makes MMA unique is that there are so many different ways to get a KO that it brings a new level of excitement that transcends the normal, one punch finish.

It is universally understood by fans of any nation, which is why audiences from Las Vegas to Brazil turn into an uproar each time a face hits the canvas. 

8. UFC on FOX

The newly minted deal between the UFC and FOX is a major step towards MMA becoming truly mainstream.

The first live event on FOX, set for September 12th, will feature one of the biggest fights ever in the heavyweight division, with champ Cain Velasquez taking on Junior dos Santos.  Being able to see these two giants take each other on for free is truly amazing.

Not only will the UFC be broadcast on FOX television, the deal will also bring the UFC an increased on-line presence and, for the first time, radio coverage. 

As more and more people will be exposed to MMA, the sport is ensured rapid growth thanks to this new deal.

7. Big Names, Bigger Personalities

The one thing that MMA fighters don't lack is a big personality.

Almost every weight class features a fighter with a big mouth and a powerful fist to back it up.  Like in professional wrestling, the big names have distinct personas, but with a bit more realism added in.

Guys like Rampage Jackson and Tito Ortiz are well known guys with personalities that are sometimes over the top, but entertaining nonetheless.

If the sport wants to take over the world, these big personas are going to be the voices.

6. Accessibility of Fighters for Fans

MMA fighters are some of the most accessible athletes on the planet.

If you ever get a chance to go to a fan expo or media event, fighters are always willing to give autographs or just shoot the breeze if time permits.  You can really get the feel that they are just everyday people and not just sports stars.

Compare MMA stars to other sports icons, and the contrast is stark.

Stars in the MLB, NFL, NBA, etc. are so widely known that it is almost impossible for most fans to even get a shot at an autograph, let alone a private conversation.

This type of open dialogue between fans and fighters is an aspect of MMA that has all the other sports beat. 

5. Georges St. Pierre

Every major sport needs a squeaky clean poster boy.

Baseball has Jeter, football has Brady, MMA has Georges St. Pierre.

One of the best fighters to ever grace the Octagon, St. Pierre is a mainstay of the sport and is an essential component for MMA to break into the mainstream.  

More top advertisers are turning to this guy to sell their products, meaning more exposure for MMA.  Having ESPN commercials, sportswear deals and a plethora of other opportunities under his belt, St. Pierre remains the best marketing tool for the sport.

Love him or hate him, you cannot deny his mainstream appeal.

4. Local Shows, Hometown Pride

The bigger promotions might get the most exposure, but amateur and local shows are the key to MMA's growth.

Fighters build followings on these circuits and generate a type of hometown pride that gets local fans buzzing.

Whether it's cheering on a local warrior or a national icon, that type of connection between fighters and fanbases is necessary.

Acting as a minor league or collegiate division to the top organization, local shows are imperative for the fighters to showcase their skills and for the sport to grow on a grass roots level.

Some athletes might not make the big time, but they deserve just as much love for all the heart they show in the cage.

3. Consistency of Events

Between the UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator, an MMA event will be on almost every weekend for the rest of the year.  All the huge announcements over the past few weeks have been like Christmas for fans.

That is an amazing sight to see especially because of the amount of high level competition that will be featured.

Fight fans never get tired of seeing these athletes compete, making consistency the key to sustaining a global fanbase.

Going forward, there appears to be even more big events to come which is always great news for fans.

2. Game Keeps Evolving

MMA today has never been more exciting.

Fighters are honing the necessary basic skills while adding unique moves to their arsenal to baffle opponents.  The new guard of MMA is not just creative, but smart, knowing to temper flashiness with effectiveness.

While guys like Anthony Pettis, Jon Jones and Anderson Silva do mind-bending moves in the cage, just imagine how fighters will look just 10 years from now.

The sport and its athletes keep evolving, meaning that there will always be more new things to see.

Once more areas around globe start producing more fighters, the possibilities will be endless.

1. Dana White and the UFC

Dana White and the rest of the UFC brass have grown the sport in ways that nobody expected.

Effectively eliminating the barbaric connotations and on their way to obtaining mainstream status, the UFC keeps evolving and does not look to be slowing down anytime soon.

The UFC and MMA have become synonymous to the common viewer making the success of the sport dependent on the viability of the flagship promotion.

Whatever Dana White and the UFC have planned next, you can be sure that it will take the sport to another level.