When most think of MMA they immediately think of the UFC, many even confuse the UFC as the actual name of the sport itself. The UFC has been the premier MMA organization for many years now over taking past big names in Pride and Strikeforce (both of which merged with UFC) and has held their position and only strengthened it through the years. However they are not the only MMA organisation out there, there are many organisation across the world, some satisfy a niche section of the market others solely exist in certain regions of the world, but they all have one thing in common, they live and breathe MMA.
I am going to list some of what I regard to be the top MMA organisation that currently exist, or have done in the past, outwith the UFC.
Pride Fighting Championships or Pride FC, used to be one of the top organisations in the MMA scene, they were founded on October 11th 1997 and ceased operations by merging with the UFC on October 4th 2007. During those 10 years they grew to be one of the top names and amassed mountains of fans from across the world. The Japanese company are responsible for the rise of a number of MMA legends, including many peoples pick for the GOAT, Fedor Emelianenko. As well as Fedor they also gave rise to names such as, Wanderlei Silva, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua, Takanori Gomi and Mirko 'Cro-Cop' Filipovic and the list goes on and on. Despite not being in operation for 11 years now this company has had an immense effect on the MMA community and many fans still reminisce about it today.
Bellator MMA is the 2nd biggest MMA organisation in the world, they serve as the closest competition to the UFC, and have been growing in popularity over the last couple of years. The American company based in California was founded 10 years ago in 2008 and is currently run by company president Scott Coker, under Coker's leadership Bellator has given rise to up and coming stars in the mma scene such as, Michael 'Venom' Page, Douglas Lima and is the current home of some MMA legends and some of the top fighters in the world, including Fedor Emelinenko, Gegard Moussasi, Chael Sonnen and Rory MacDonald. Many have criticized the company as being a 'retirement home' for ex UFC fighters but has turned that image around recently and are providing solid competition to the UFC.
One Championship or One FC is an MMA organisation based in Singapore, it was launched on 14th of July 2011 the org broadcasts to over 1 billion homes worldwide and is a real powerhouse in MMA in Asia. The organisation has produced star potential from local regions such as the 22 year old Angela Lee who won her belt at the age of 20, making her the youngest champion in the organisation. as well as Lee One FC have also had other notable fighters on their roster such as Ben Askren (now in the UFC) demetrious Johnson (ex-UFC champion and pfp #1) and Eddie Alvarez (ex-UFC and Belllator LW champion)
There are many other MMA organisations out there that any true fight fan would love to watch even through they don't have the allure of the UFC they have some real raw talent and great events that are well worth your money!
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