We are often reminded that MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world, but is MMA growing fast enough out with the Americas? Only twice has a world championship belt been won by non American fighters; Dutch legend Bas Rutten (1999) and Belarusian Andrei Arlovski (2005). That statistic would suggest the answer to my question is no, or certainly not fast enough to be producing enough high calibre fighters that are capable of competing for a world title.
The UFC hold events across Europe and Asia as frequently as possible and they do try and give local talent a slot on the under card where possible, but I feel that more is required. To date there has been no title fights held across the Atlantic and that is not good for the sport’s development around the world. Fans want to see UFC fights, but they want to see UFC title fights even more.
I posed the question via Twitter to former welterweight contender Dan Hardy of whether the UFC should consider a regional title, Dan replied that in his opinion “regional titles would work well as the sport grows”. Both Dan and I got a lot of feedback to this question and the response was fairly mixed. Some loved the idea and some, well not so much, but the point was that the UFC need to consider other avenues to grow non American markets faster.
I understand that MMA gyms are popping up all over the globe and regional MMA associations such as BAMMA (British Association of Mixed Martial Arts), Cage Warriors or Asia’s One-FC to name but a few are now well established. Such regional promotions are crucial in giving fighters the chance to learn their trade but there is little money available for fighters involved with these promotions. Conor McGregor who was a 2-division Cage Warriors world champion (Lightweight and Featherweight) famously stated he was on welfare before his first fight for the UFC in Stockholm, Sweden.
The reality is that the UFC is by far MMA’s premier promotion and the place where any fighter worth their salt needs to be. If, for example, there was a European, Asian or even an Intercontinental title that would be contested in these vastly untapped markets then it may well be the spark that MMA and the UFC needs in these areas. A regional title would offer up and coming talent more of a chance to hold UFC gold, and prepare them to challenge for a World title. Importantly, it would also give fans a more frequent opportunity to see title fights live.
I won’t compare this idea to that in boxing, whereby it sometimes seems they have more belts than fighters, but instead I will compare the idea to the regional approach that works tremendously well in soccer. The World Cup will always be the ultimate prize however the European Championships, the African Cup of Nations and the Copa America trophies are all high profile titles, fiercely contested, and more than welcome in any trophy cabinet. Yet neither detracts from the world title.
On the other hand there is the argument that a world championship belt should be the only prize in the sport.
I’m not saying a regional title is the absolute answer, I’m just throwing it out there as an idea.
Would love to hear your opinion! @heffiejr