It is the same with America 'The UFC has had its peak in America, and is not really getting any bigger'.
The world has changed, combat sports are ALL being out competed by more inclusive, safe and less dangerous sports 'As society becomes more civilized and sophisticated this is the trajectory'.
Just like boxing, It Depends on the fighters! UFC have its ups and downs periods just like boxing. Boxing goes cold until another Superstar emerges and appeal to the Casual Fans. Same with MMA, if no McGregor then yeah UFC will dip in numbers then the numbers go back up when someone interesting emerges and catches the attention of the Casual Fans. The difference is that the UFC consistently match ups #1 vs #2 and by doing so they're able to keep the fans interested consistently and longer until one of them emerge as that new STAR. Boxing can't do that unfortunately because of the Divide and Ego of all the Promoters
So I don't even know why some of my fellow boxing fans are in denial about it. Check the Stats, look up UFC IG, Twitter Followers Amount as well as youtube subscribers. If that doesn't define popularity in this ERA then I don't know WTF Does.
MMA being more popular doesn't make it "BETTER" and I think that is where some boxing fans start to get Defensive. They think by saying "MMA Is More Popular In America" that people are admitting or saying that "MMA Is Better" which that is not the case at all.
The Topic is "In America"! Of course Boxing on a Global Scale is more popular but that wasn't the question
It is the same with America 'The UFC has had its peak in America, and is not really getting any bigger'.
The world has changed, combat sports are ALL being out competed by more inclusive, safe and less dangerous sports 'As society becomes more civilized and sophisticated this is the trajectory'.
Boxing is not getting swallowed, the UFC had its peak between 2008-2011/12. The UFC will continue to do well, but it is not going to get any bigger.
Boxing will always exist, it is in some ways a easier sport to spectate upon and understand 'Plus it is the most highly participated combat sport Globally' more accessibility and inclusive in comparison to Mixed Martial Arts which? Is in my opinion becoming a elitist sport, it is not a working class sport.
The UFC is one tiny organisation, a private run business 'That is doing very well', a true Global sport can exist and survive without a dictatorship styled governing. Boxing exist everywhere, it has no central government, it is a past time in many European countries 'Boxing is not trying to be Mixed Martial Arts, as its history is one of romance'.
The Topic is "In America"! Of course Boxing on a Global Scale is more popular but that wasn't the question
Floyd/Pac was unprecedented in terms of sheer numbers. The only thing that came close was that stupid Floyd/Conor circus. Getting 4-5 million buys on PPV is not an easy thing to come by even if we are talking global numbers. Theres nothing on the horizon right now that comes close to being able to draw that in either sport.
Regardless, UFC and boxing have basically equal mainstream visibility and acceptance at this point. So big fights and big stars are likely going to be a toss up between the two going forwards.
Maybe in viewership... but not in numbers. Look at ringside tickets for a main fight in boxing vs the UFC. That's really the main difference.
People get real hung up in this stuff. Just use your eyes. The eye test is why boxing sells more.
There's always going to be a Floyd/Pac, just like there's always was a Leonard/Hearns, Ali-Liston, Marciano, Louis... it doesn't end.
Floyd/Pac was unprecedented in terms of sheer numbers. The only thing that came close was that stupid Floyd/Conor circus. Getting 4-5 million buys on PPV is not an easy thing to come by even if we are talking global numbers. Theres nothing on the horizon right now that comes close to being able to draw that in either sport.
Regardless, UFC and boxing have basically equal mainstream visibility and acceptance at this point. So big fights and big stars are likely going to be a toss up between the two going forwards.
I am (obviously) a fan of both, and not that young, and I started as a fan of boxing in the 90s then discovered MMA about 20 years ago. The UFC delivers a much better product than boxing for the most part. Boxings appeal lies in its much richer history, the purity of the rules and the occasional short spikes of greatness it still has every now and then (Fury/Wilder being a recent example), its kind of an institution in a way, which is why it will never go away. Its actually a bit similar to baseball in that it leans heavily on tradition. But lets be honest when it comes to pure entertainment value, on a weekend by weekend basis, average card, its not close honestly. MMA has more (and much more spectacular) finishes, more evenly matched fights, the cards are far deeper, big fights get made more regularly with less political BS getting in the way, records arent anywhere near as padded, fights are much more unpredictable and varied. Boxing like I said has occasional spikes of brilliance a few times a year usually when big fights finally get made but boy is there a lot of **** being peddled in between.
I dont think this is necessarily true in a post Floyd/Pac world, and even before Floyd/Pac the biggest PPVs of the year for each had been pretty close for 5+ years already. I guess AJ/Fury and AJ/Wilder are bigger fights than anything the UFC could put out (a Conor/Khabib rematch or something like Conor/Jorge would give them a decent run for their money though) but after those you'd be down to stuff like Canelo/GGG 3, Crawford/Spence, Crawford/Pac etc which arent outside of the reach of the bigger fights that the UFC could produce.
There's always going to be a Floyd/Pac, just like there's always was a Leonard/Hearns, Ali-Liston, Marciano, Louis... it doesn't end.
They're making a new Fight night right now.
Most UFC/MMA/WWF fans are young. As they grow older they understand the sports more. Boxing will always be superior to UFC, but it's not like UFC is crap, it's just a different sport.
I am (obviously) a fan of both, and not that young, and I started as a fan of boxing in the 90s then discovered MMA about 20 years ago. The UFC delivers a much better product than boxing for the most part. Boxings appeal lies in its much richer history, the purity of the rules and the occasional short spikes of greatness it still has every now and then (Fury/Wilder being a recent example), its kind of an institution in a way, which is why it will never go away. Its actually a bit similar to baseball in that it leans heavily on tradition. But lets be honest when it comes to pure entertainment value, on a weekend by weekend basis, average card, its not close honestly. MMA has more (and much more spectacular) finishes, more evenly matched fights, the cards are far deeper, big fights get made more regularly with less political BS getting in the way, records arent anywhere near as padded, fights are much more unpredictable and varied. Boxing like I said has occasional spikes of brilliance a few times a year usually when big fights finally get made but boy is there a lot of **** being peddled in between.
Well said. You put on average UFC fight and people will tune in. But if you put a top UFC fight against a top Boxing bout, it's not even close.
I dont think this is necessarily true in a post Floyd/Pac world, and even before Floyd/Pac the biggest PPVs of the year for each had been pretty close for 5+ years already. I guess AJ/Fury and AJ/Wilder are bigger fights than anything the UFC could put out (a Conor/Khabib rematch or something like Conor/Jorge would give them a decent run for their money though) but after those you'd be down to stuff like Canelo/GGG 3, Crawford/Spence, Crawford/Pac etc which arent outside of the reach of the bigger fights that the UFC could produce.
To be fair, they had friggin Bruce Lee in the last game. Its just something they do. Also if boxing dominates MMA wouldnt EA be making a new Fight Night game instead of putting two boxers in a UFC game? its been 9 years since Fight Night Champion. Theres been 4 UFC games out in that time and a 5th about to be released.
They're making a new Fight night right now.
Most UFC/MMA/WWF fans are young. As they grow older they understand the sports more. Boxing will always be superior to UFC, but it's not like UFC is crap, it's just a different sport.
I'm honestly not that sure. I think UFC has better viewership figures on average but I don't think it'll ever hold the same amount of territory in society's collective cultural headspace as boxing does, and the best and most famous UFC fighters will never be as revered as the best and most famous boxers.
Well said. You put on average UFC fight and people will tune in. But if you put a top UFC fight against a top Boxing bout, it's not even close.
Boxing dominates MMA. Latest MMA game literally slapped Fury all over their promo because Fury (a boxer) is the face of combat sports around the world.
To be fair, they had friggin Bruce Lee in the last game. Its just something they do. Also if boxing dominates MMA wouldnt EA be making a new Fight Night game instead of putting two boxers in a UFC game? its been 9 years since Fight Night Champion. Theres been 4 UFC games out in that time and a 5th about to be released.
They need better than the 'borefest' as it was branded last night...
Great to see Masvidal put in his place though... All the smack talk towards Usman and he's the fighter he'd take at short notice crap.. must been embarrassed..
Boxing Dominates MMA? In What Way? WTF are we comparing here are you talking about Fighters Pay? Because honestly that is the only thing Boxing have over MMA at the moment is yeah the Pay is much greater in boxing which is great
However when it comes to popularity in America, UFC is reaching and is popular with Demographics that Boxing is not...Unless KSI or one of the Paul Brothers are fighting that is the only way Boxing can get a younger demographic to watch
As for the New Game, yeah I seen that the new UFC Game has Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in it...
https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/AnthonyJoshuaTysonFuryUFC4thumb.jpg?strip=all&w=960&quality=100
which is great marketing for THEM especially here in America but neither are popular enough to boost Sales here in America for EA Sports UFC 4 however in the UK they will likely Boost Sales their.
That fact that EA Sports would rather make a UFC game rather than a boxing game tells you all that you need to f^cking know and lets you know which is more popular here in America at the moments
"Your Sport Is Getting Swallowed By A More Spectacular Sport"...Yes he was right and you're seeing it especially when Canelo and DAZN are bowing out to UFC Events and Delaying and waiting for them to finish and you have boxing people contacting UFC wanting to show their event in the Arena as they wait for it to be over so that the Canelo fight can start
Boxing is not getting swallowed, the UFC had its peak between 2008-2011/12. The UFC will continue to do well, but it is not going to get any bigger.
Boxing will always exist, it is in some ways a easier sport to spectate upon and understand 'Plus it is the most highly participated combat sport Globally' more accessibility and inclusive in comparison to Mixed Martial Arts which? Is in my opinion becoming a elitist sport, it is not a working class sport.
The UFC is one tiny organisation, a private run business 'That is doing very well', a true Global sport can exist and survive without a dictatorship styled governing. Boxing exist everywhere, it has no central government, it is a past time in many European countries 'Boxing is not trying to be Mixed Martial Arts, as its history is one of romance'.
Right!?
:lol1:
That interview aged horribly. He was dead wrong.
Boxing dominates MMA. Latest MMA game literally slapped Fury all over their promo because Fury (a boxer) is the face of combat sports around the world.
Boxing Dominates MMA? In What Way? WTF are we comparing here are you talking about Fighters Pay? Because honestly that is the only thing Boxing have over MMA at the moment is yeah the Pay is much greater in boxing which is great
However when it comes to popularity in America, UFC is reaching and is popular with Demographics that Boxing is not...Unless KSI or one of the Paul Brothers are fighting that is the only way Boxing can get a younger demographic to watch
As for the New Game, yeah I seen that the new UFC Game has Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua in it...
https://talksport.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2020/07/AnthonyJoshuaTysonFuryUFC4thumb.jpg?strip=all&w=960&quality=100
which is great marketing for THEM especially here in America but neither are popular enough to boost Sales here in America for EA Sports UFC 4 however in the UK they will likely Boost Sales their.
That fact that EA Sports would rather make a UFC game rather than a boxing game tells you all that you need to f^cking know and lets you know which is more popular here in America at the moments
"Your Sport Is Getting Swallowed By A More Spectacular Sport"...Yes he was right and you're seeing it especially when Canelo and DAZN are bowing out to UFC Events and Delaying and waiting for them to finish and you have boxing people contacting UFC wanting to show their event in the Arena as they wait for it to be over so that the Canelo fight can start
Have you seen the recent ratings of Boxing events? It's embarrassing.
While fights may have delivered, no one watched them.
When are the boxing stars actually going to fight again?
- No Spence, no Pacquiao, no crawford, no Loma, no Wilder/Fury etc.
YES! Long time fan of both Boxing and MMA, I love Boxing More but yeah because of the way the UFC have masterfully Marketed themselves and they jumped all over Social Media and Youtuber early and built up a huge and Loyal Cult Like Following among a Young Demographic that don't give a SH^T about Boxing and consider boxing "SO BORING" unless KSI or one of the Paul Brothers are Boxing
11 years later...Joe Rogan was F^cking Right! Give him his credit! :dunno:
Right!?
:lol1:
That interview aged horribly. He was dead wrong.
Boxing dominates MMA. Latest MMA game literally slapped Fury all over their promo because Fury (a boxer) is the face of combat sports around the world.
I'm honestly not that sure. I think UFC has better viewership figures on average but I don't think it'll ever hold the same amount of territory in society's collective cultural headspace as boxing does, and the best and most famous UFC fighters will never be as revered as the best and most famous boxers.
beautifully put:boxing:
i like the one champ thing in the ufc, no ducking and diving and waiting for people to get old and padded records with all the politics
UFC is a governing body within MMA the same as the WBC or WBA in boxing. You have other MMA organisations such as Bellator etc that may not be more popular but are still the same sport.
The correct question should be is MMA more Popular than Boxing in America ! UFC is not a sport it is an organisation MMA is the sport.