With the start of a new year, in fact a new decade, we have no choice but to look forward in the sports world. With the Olympics approaching quickly, the World Cup later on this year and the ongoing Tiger Woods’ saga, our attention is spread extremely thin. However, one sport could transcend all of this and define this decade. This sport is Mixed Martial Arts. Many of you are saying to yourself, “You’re a couple of years late, the UFC is already a big deal”. In response to these thoughts, I agree, it is big, but I think that it can become the biggest. Think about it, what other sport transcends all continents like MMA? Let’s take a look:
Hockey/NHL: The largest hockey market is in North America. In Eastern European countries there is a following. However, in South America, Africa and Australia the sport is pretty much non-existent. Therefore, hockey is rated very low on the potential to gain worldwide attention.
Basketball/NBA: Since basketball is an indoor sport, it can be played everywhere and as a result has a larger worldwide attention than hockey. However, as seen by recent Neilsen ratings, basketball’s following is limited. Outside of North America and China (Re: Yao Ming), there is little interest in the NBA. While basketball rates higher than hockey on wordlwide exposure, you simply don’t hear of fans in Europe going crazy at basketball games, like in the following sport, soccer.
Soccer/World Cup: Currently soccer is undoubtedly the most worldwide sport. With the relative ease, effort and price wise to play soccer, it’s not hard to believe the popularity across the globe. Furthermore, given the fact that the structure of the European leagues, including Champions League and the UEFA Cup, are so strong, it is only expected that such a large following would result. On top of all this, the world’s largest and most inclusive tournament features the sport of soccer. Overall, soccer has a stronghold and right now can be considered the world’s sport.
Baseball/MLB: Baseball, similar to hockey, has its roots in a limited number of places. For example, baseball is enjoyed in North America, South America and in parts of Asia. However, it is almost non-existent in Europe and Africa thus putting it at a low level of international exposure similar to that of hockey.
Football/NFL: While the Superbowl may be one of the most watched television events year in and year out, American football does not transcend beyond North American borders. Does anyone remember what happened to NFL Europe? Exactly. As a result, football is ranked as the lowest sport with international exposure.
MMA/UFC: This finally brings us to MMA and specfically the UFC. In the past decade the UFC has evolved from a barbaric display of testosterone to an intricate game including strategy and preparation, just like any other sport. Today the UFC’s monthly events highlight many sport fans’ calendars. What makes the MMA/UFC different from other sports is the relative ease in which the sport is merging with mainstream pop culture, including TV shows and movies. For example, the reality show ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ is by far the most popular sports reality show on television. Furthermore, such athletes like Rampage Jackson, Georges St. Pierre, Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture have made successful forays onto the big screen, bringing an increased attention to the UFC and MMA that other sports do not benefit from.
It comes down to the fact that everyone in the world can relate to fighting of some sort. Whether it was in a bar, with a sibling or just for fun with friends, everyone has thrown a punch or a kick and can understand the thrill and excitement that goes along with it. This simple fact eludes all other sports.
While I am not saying that it will appeal to everyone, I will say that the UFC and MMA have the ability to appeal to a larger market than basketball, soccer or any sport for that matter. The only question is whether the UFC, and specifically Dana White, can make good on his word to make MMA the biggest sport in the world. One thing I can be sure of though, is that the next decade should be interesting.
Top Cheese 