Promotions
The organizations that put fighters in the cage. Each profile covers founding, ownership, weight classes used, rule differences, and the eras of the sport they shaped.
The dominant global MMA promotion. Founded as a no-rules tournament in 1993, it became a regulated unified-rules sport after the 2001 Zuffa acquisition. Owned by TKO Group Holdings.
Asia's flagship combat sports promotion, covering MMA, Muay Thai, kickboxing, and submission grappling under one roof. Known for its athlete-first hydration protocol and broadcast aesthetic.
Long-running #2 US promotion. Founded by Bjorn Rebney, later acquired by Viacom, then by PFL in 2023. Now operates as Bellator Champions Series under PFL ownership.
The only league-format promotion in major MMA — fighters compete on a structured calendar with playoff brackets. Acquired Bellator in 2023, making it the second-largest MMA organization globally.