Here are the best MMA promotions

• Mixed martial arts is a hybrid combat sport which incorporates techniques from disciplines such as boxing, judo, wrestling, Muay Thai and karate. 
• MMA promotions have played a significant role in making the combat sport popular worldwide. 
• The best MMA promotions have received plenty of attention since they have the best fighters. 

The best Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotions have played a significant role in making the combat one of the world’s fastest-growing spectator sports.

MMA is a hybrid combat sport which combines techniques from wrestling, boxing, karate, Thai boxing, jujitsu, judo and other disciplines.

Pundits previously described MMA as a brutal blood sport without rules. However, regulatory bodies in the United States and many fighting promotions adopted the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts by 2009.

Without further ado, let’s discuss some of the best MMA promotions.

1. Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

UFC. Photo/ Wikipedia.

Ultimate Fighting Championship, popularly known as UFC, is arguably the best and the biggest MMA promotion worldwide.

The promotion has events all over the world in twelve divisions (eight men and four women). Dana White has been in charge of UFC since 2011.

UFC has global partnerships with many other MMA promotions worldwide. As of 2022, the global multi-billion-dollar enterprise has held over 600 events.

2. Bellator MMA 

Bellator MMA is an American mixed martial arts promotion founded in 2008. It is one of the largest combat sports promotions in the world. 

The promotion has talents such as Vadim Nemkov, Cris Cyborg, Gegard Mousasi and A.J. McKee. 

Bellator MMA is available to over one billion people worldwide and has broadcasts in more than 160 countries. 

3. Absolute Championship Akhmat 

Absolute Championship has been holding events since 2014. Its headquarters are in Grozny, Chechnya, Russia. 

Absolute Championship Akhmat is undoubtedly one of the best MMA promotions in the world. Outside Russia, ACA has held events in many countries such as Poland, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates and Belgium. 

4. Fight Nights Global (FNG) 

Fight Nights Global (FNG) is a Russian mixed martial arts promotion that features some of the top-ranking fighters in the sport. 

The promotion, which is also known as AMC Fight Nights, previously hosted K-1, among other martial arts events. 

The first FNG event was held in 2010 in Moscow. As of 2022, the organization has held over 100 events. 

Some of the best FNG fighters include Yusup Shuaev, Vagab Vagabov, Vladimir Egoyan, Vartan Asatryan and Dmitry Bikrev. 

5. One Championship 

One Championship, founded in 2011, is currently one of the best MMA promotions in the world. The promotion has its headquarters in Downtown Core, Singapore. 

Apart from mixed martial arts, One Championship events also feature kickboxing, submission grappling, Lethwei bouts and Muay Thai. 

One Championship is Asia’s largest MMA promotion company.

One Championship. Photo/ The SportsGrail.

6. Rizin Fighting Federation (Rizin FF) 

Rizin Fighting Federation is a Japanese mixed martial arts organization created in 2015. The promotion’s events stream exclusively on FITE TV in Europe and North America. 

Fizin FF, founded in 2015, is considered the best MMA promotion in Japan. Apart from mixed martial arts, the organization also promotes kickboxing. 

7. Invicta Fighting Championships 

Invicta Fighting Championships, founded in 2012, has its headquarters in the United States. The promotion, which is currently owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, is dedicated to Women’s mixed martial arts. 

As of 2022, Invicta Fighting Championships has held over 50 events. Some of the biggest names in the promotion include Taneisha Tennant, Jillian DeCoursey and Cristiane Justino. 

8. Pancrase 

Pancrase, founded in 1993, has held over 300 events. Some of the notable alumni of Pancrase are Bas Rutten, Chael Sonnen, Frank Shamrock and Carlos Condit. 

The promotion aired its events weekly on ImaginAsian TV between 2007 and 2011. Fight Network began airing Pancrase events in the United Kingdom and Canada. 

9. M-1 Global 

M-1 Global, also known as MMA-1, is a mixed martial arts promotion based in St. Petersburg, Russia. MMA-1 is one of the best MMA promotions in the world. 

The promotion, which was founded in 1997, holds between 10 and 20 competitions every year. The events are broadcast in more than 100 countries, mainly European and FSU countries. 

10. Caged Steel 

Caged Steel features some of the best MMA fighters in the United Kingdom and Europe. The promotion broadcasts its events all over the world on its own Pay Per View platform. 

Caged Steel, created in 2011, has its headquarters in Doncaster, United Kingdom.

Caged Steel. Photo/ Fatsoma.