AFTER standing in the shadows of boxing, MMA has seen a tremendous rise in attendance and viewership in recent years, following the emergence of stars such as Conor McGregor and Jon Jones.
Considered a polarising sport for its stars and intensity in action. Due to it’s combination of striking, wrestling, and muy thai, the UFC defeats its main competitor in boxing when it comes to knockouts and stoppages, with roughly 33% of fights ending in a stoppage.
With a recent and exclusive deal with Paramount, alongside a card set to be held at the White House in Washington D.C, 2026 is set to be a statement year for the UFC.
“People know the first fight on the card, the guys on fight pass, the third fight on the undercard.
“For the general public, guys like Paddy Pimblett, with brash personalites, are good for the sport. However, the purists need Ilia Topuria’s.
Said coach James Alexander.
However, according to Joe Courteny, while MMA’s brutal nature brings eyeballs and excitement for fans, it also causes nerves and fear for the fighters.
“A lot of young kids these days talk about the brain damage and I think that is a worry.
“In terms of the science side, we’re seeing a lot of CTE.”
Josh Wyatt-Jones visited Exile Gym to find out more about the sport’s growth.
