It is hard to remember a time when MMA wasn’t so big – especially if you follow it closely. However, MMA has gone from a relatively underground sport to one that has millions of followers all around the world in recent decades. Dana White and co. had a vision that has turned into a global phenomenon.
One contributing factor to this being such a huge sport is that there are numerous ways to follow it. Fighting sports have always had a PPV culture and lots of the methods do require a membership. Online, people can always know when a fighter announces a fight as well as its outcomes. Let’s not forget that they also have social media and some people may even know when their favorite fighter goes on a vacation!
The Evolution of Streaming and Video
Streaming services have become the backbone of viewing in loads of areas of life. Netflix is one of the best-known companies in the world (though they don’t stream sports as we know). MMA is easy to follow on some of the top streaming platforms. As well as services like UFC Fight Pass which are essential for any serious fan, gambling companies have also changed the way streaming looks.
Sportsbook gambling companies and casino companies have grown together over time. A lot of the technology is used by both. We see live dealer technology growing throughout the gambling world and this shows the capabilities for live and high-definition video to be used to follow both games and sports. A live dealer casino shows that companies now have the technology to create streams for individual players, so it is more than possible that they can create a quality stream for fighting sports too. Improvements in internet speed and video quality have led to these changes across sports and gaming.
Gone are the days of needing cable TV or pay-per-view to catch a fight. Now, fans can watch events live on their smartphones if they want. This flexibility has opened up MMA to a broader audience, making it easier for people to follow the sport without the need for traditional broadcasting.
Some platforms also allow fans to watch on-demand, meaning no one has to miss a fight due to scheduling conflicts. There are also loads of different ways to explore punditry or even predictions before a fight.
Then we have YouTube, where highlights and fighter interviews are uploaded almost immediately after events. These platforms have made it easy for casual fans to keep up with the sport.
Watching fight nights doesn’t necessarily mean the big UFC bouts. There are smaller MMA events and bare-knuckle events regularly streamed online for people to follow using the same technology as casinos and betting brands.
Social Media
Social media is second nature to a lot of people now. X (formerly known as Twitter) remains the go-to platform for live updates during events. Journalists, and even fighters themselves provide real-time commentary on what is going on in a fight making it a vibrant space for discussion and analysis.
On Instagram, the focus is more on visual content so fighters share everything from training routines to personal moments, giving fans a glimpse into their lives outside the cage.
Social media also serves as a platform for viral moments and even things like weigh-ins are a chance for viral content and drama. A knockout or submission can be shared millions of times within hours, bringing attention to fighters and events that might otherwise have flown under the radar or not been such a big deal. In many ways, these platforms have become as important as the fights themselves! They are big in keeping the MMA community engaged and growing.
Podcasts and Analysis
All sports have a high level of analysis when they get a big following. Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show and Morning Kombat offer hours of analysis for superfans and even have live events where people attend podcast recordings. Podcasts have carved out a space for more nuanced conversations, where fans can hear directly from fighters, coaches, and industry insiders.
Podcasts are more of a chatty approach and anyone can start their own podcast to cover sports – some of them go deep into the technical aspects of fighting and offering predictions for upcoming events. They also tackle broader topics such as the business side of MMA. Podcasts are a convenient way for a lot of people to listen or watch on the go.
The rise of podcasts has also given fans more control over how they consume content. Unlike traditional radio or TV shows, podcasts can be listened to on the go, whether during a commute or at home. This flexibility has made them a staple for many MMA enthusiasts who want to stay engaged with the sport in a more in-depth way.
