What is the Difference Between MMA & UFC?
MMA is the sport, while the UFC is the largest promotion within that sport. MMA allows fighters to use a mix of disciplines like boxing, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu, whereas the UFC organises and promotes high-profile MMA events.
General view of the Octagon//Getty Images
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MMA and the UFC are often mentioned in the same breath, leading to confusion for those new to the sport. Often, new supporters refer to MMA as UFC. The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a promotion within the sport of mixed martial arts.
MMA has a wide variety of fighting techniques from different disciplines, including boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, Muay Thai, judo, karate, and more. It is one of the most versatile and dynamic sports in the world, where fighters aim to outstrike or out-grapple their opponents using a blend of martial arts.
The UFC is a professional promotion organisation dedicated to MMA. Founded in 1993 by Art Davie and Rorion Gracie, the UFC was created to determine which martial art was most effective in a real fight. The early events featured practitioners of different styles facing off with very few rules and minimal to no regulations at all, giving rise to what was then known as "no holds barred" fighting.
Over the years, the UFC evolved into a well-regulated sport, introducing weight classes, stricter rules, and a unified set of regulations that helped MMA gain legitimacy. Today, the UFC is the largest and most recognised promotion in MMA.
Where Would MMA Be Without the UFC?
Dana White//Getty Images
It’s hard to imagine modern MMA without the UFC. While MMA might still exist as a combat sport, it is unlikely that it would have reached the same level of popularity and professionalism without the UFC’s influence.
In the early days of MMA, the sport was seen as violent and extremely dangerous, with critics calling it “human cockfighting.” The UFC played a crucial role in implementing regulations and weight classes that made MMA more acceptable to athletic commissions and mainstream audiences.
The UFC was the first organisation to take MMA onto a global stage. It expanded into Europe, Asia, and South America, tapping into international talent pools and creating a truly global sport. Promotions like Pride FC in Japan or ONE Championship in Asia have their own histories, but the UFC's global reach is unmatched. Even to this day, Dana White is trying to tap into unexplored markets such as Africa.
When you see an MMA star, 99% of the time that is purely down to the UFC's marketing of them. Very rarely will they be an MMA fighter that is a global star without being involved with the UFC. While the fighters are the ones who showcase their skills, it is the Ultimate Fighting Championship that provides said fighters the global platform to perform on, thus investing into marketing them.
The UFC has been instrumental in popularising MMA as a mainstream sport through high-profile fighters like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, Jon Jones, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre.
Lastly, MMA must give thanks to the UFC’s ability to secure lucrative broadcast deals, pay-per-view events, and sponsorships, because without these financial advancements, it’s likely that MMA fighters would not earn the same level of income. The UFC was instrumental in getting MMA onto mainstream platforms like Fox, ESPN, and major sports streaming services.
Nowadays, the UFC have their own subscription service called UFC Fight Pass which allows you to watch UFC bouts and other content, but they also showcase other non-UFC MMA events too.
With all that being said, mixed martial arts would be well behind in terms of popularity and finances if it wasn't for the Ultimate Fighting Championship becoming mainstream in the 2000's.
Jake Staniland is a sports writer who excels in covering a wide range of sports: football, combat sports and the NFL - All three subjects are his lifelong passions.
Jake is a boyhood Sheffield United fan, which is often a curse that he thanks his family for. His favourite Blades player ever is Billy Sharp