MMA organizations

According to MMA portal Tapology.com listings; there are hundreds of Mixed martial Arts (MMA) promotions producing MMA events around the world. There are hundreds of MMA training facilities throughout the world as well.

Current top MMA promotions

This is a list of the current most notable MMA promotions worldwide, companies that produce MMA fighting events.

Since the UFC came to prominence in mainstream media in 2006, and with their 2007 merger with Pride FC and purchase of WEC and Strikeforce, no companies have presented significant competition, and the UFC has under contract most of the top ranked talent. The UFC broadcasts their fights on Fox Sports and others.

Outside of the UFC, the current secondary major MMA organisations that also have on their roster at least 3 top 15 ranked fighters are:

  • Bellator MMA. Based out of: Newport Beach, California, United States. Broadcasts their fights locally on Spike TV and other networks around the world.
  • ONE Fighting Championship. Based out of: Kallang, Singapore. Broadcasts their fights locally on ESPN Star Sports and other networks around the world.
  • World Series of Fighting. Based out of: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States. Broadcasts their fights locally on NBC Sports and other networks around the world.
  • Invicta FC (all female MMA). Based out of: Enka, North Carolina, United States. Broadcasts their fights on UFC fight-pass online subscription service.

:* Though ranked #20 promotion overall; Japanese, all female MMA promotion JEWELS (DEEP JEWELS) which formed a strategic partnership to cross-promote with Invicta FC since 2012, has many top ranked fighters in their female Atomweight division.

Fighters usually get contracts in the above promotions including the UFC after competing successfully in other MMA organisations from around the world.

Some MMA organizations tend to exist more to build up prospects while others have a good mix of prospect/veteran. Some exist only to be feeder leagues to the bigger promotions, others exist to try and be the best in the world. Some organizations only do 4 shows a year while others are doing them monthly. The top 50 regional MMA organisations in the world, compiled on Sherdog forum, have been evaluated by how much talent the promotion currently has, has had in the past, and how notable their fighting venues are while doing so. Popularity has some influence as well. (updated July 2014):

  • 1. Cage Warriors Fighting Championship (CWFC). Based out of: London, England, UK. Broadcasts their fights locally on Premier Sports and other networks around the world.
  • 2. M-1 Global. Based out of: St. Petersburg, Russia. Broadcasts their fights locally on Russia-2 and on Fight Network internationally.
  • 3. Jungle Fight. Based out of: Manaus, Brazil. Broadcasts their fights locally on SporTV and ESPN Deportes in the USA.
  • 4. Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki (KSW). Based out of: Warsaw, Poland. Broadcasts their fights locally on Polsat Sport and on Fight Network internationally.
  • 5. Fight Nights (Russia). Based out of: Moscow, Russia. Broadcasts their fights locally on Russia-2 and REN TV.
  • 6. Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA). Based out of: Kearney, Nebraska, USA. Broadcasts their fights locally on AXS TV Fights.
  • 7. Legacy Fighting Championships (LFC). Based out of: Houston, Texas, USA. Broadcasts their fights locally on AXS TV Fights.
  • 8. Titan Fighting Championship. Based out of: Kansas City, Kansas, USA. Broadcasts their fights locally on AXS TV Fights.
  • 9. Shooto South America (ShootoBrazil). Based out of: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • 10. British Association of Mixed Martial Arts (BAMMA). Based out of: London, England. Broadcasts their fights locally on Channel 5 (UK) and other networks around the world.
  • 11. Cage Fury Fighting Championships (CFFC). Based out of: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
  • 12. Pancrase. Based out of: Tokyo, Japan.
  • 13. Ring Of Combat (ROC). Based out of: Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA.
  • 14. Pacific Xtreme Combat (PXC). Based out of: Mangilao, Guam.
  • 15. Maximum Fighting Championship (MFC). Based out of: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • 16. Tachi Palace Fights (TPF). Based out of: Lemoore, California, USA.
  • 17. Xtreme Fighting Championships (USA) (XFC). Based out of: Tampa, Florida, USA.
  • 18. Australian Fighting Championship (AFC). Based out of: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
  • 19. Superior Challenge (SC). Based out of: Stockholm, Sweden.
  • 20. DEEP/JEWELS . Based out of: Tokyo, Japan.
  • 21. Shooto/Vale Tudo Japan. Based out of: Tokyo, Japan.
  • 22. Classic Entertainment and Sports MMA (CES MMA). Based out of: Providence, Rhode Island, USA.
  • 23. Nitrix Champion Fight. Based out of: Santa Carina, Brazil.
  • 24. Extreme Fighting Championship Africa (EFC Africa). Based out of: Johannesburg, South Africa.
  • 25. Showdown Fights. Based out of: Orem, Utah, USA.
  • 26. King of the Cage (KOTC). Based out of: Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA.
  • 27. Cage MMA. Based out of: Helsinki, Finland.
  • 28. Road Fighting Championship. Based out of: Seoul, South Korea.
  • 29. Ranik Ultimate Fighting Federation (RUFF). Based out of: Shanghai, China.
  • 30. Made 4 The Cage. Based out of: Sunderland, England, UK.
  • 31. West Coast Fighting Championship (WFC). Based out of: Sacramento, California.
  • 32. Circuito Talent MMA. Based out of: Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • 33. Unified MMA. Based out of: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
  • 34. Pro FC. Based out of: Rostov-on-don, Russia.
  • 35. Bitetti Combat. Based out of: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • 36. European Mixed Martial Arts (EUMMA). Based out of: Copenhagen, Denmark
  • 37. Coliseu Extreme Fight (CEF). Based out of: Maceio, Brazil
  • 38. Hoosier Fight Club. Based out of: Valparaiso, Indiana, USA.
  • 39. Dakota Fighting Championships. Based out of: Fargo, North DAKOTA, USA.
  • 40. MMA Super Heroes (MMASH). Based out of: Sao Paulo, Brazil.
  • 41. Far Eastern Federation Of Modern Pankration (FEFoMP). Based out of: Khabarovsk, Russia.
  • 42. Victory Fighting Championship. Based out of: Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
  • 43. Nitro MMA. Based out of: Logan City, Queensland, Australia.
  • 44. Inka FC / Peru FC / 300 Sparta / Fusion Fighting Championship (Peru). Based out of: Lima, Peru.
  • 45. UWC Mexico / Xtreme Kombat. Based out of: Tijuana, Mexico and Mexico City, Mexico.
  • 46. Cage Sport. Based out of: Tacoma, Washington, USA.
  • 47. 100% Fight. Based out of: Paris, France.
  • 48. Final Fight Championship. Based out of: Zageb, Croatia.
  • 49. New England Fights (NEF). Based out of: Lewiston, Maine, USA.
  • 50. Island Fights. Based out of: Pensacola, Florida, USA.
  • Notable mentions:

:* Fight Time Promotions - Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA

:* BAMMA USA - Commerce, California, USA

:* Xtreme Fighting Organization - Chicago, Illinois, USA

:* American Predator Fighting Championships - Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA

:* Battlegrounds MMA - Norman, Oklahoma, USA

:* Driller Promotions - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

:* Atlas Fights - Biloxi, Mississippi, USA

:* Provincial Fighting Championship - London, Ontario, Canada

:* Battlefield Fight League - Richmond, British Colombia, Canada

:* Havoc Fighting Championship - Red Deer, Alberta, Canada

:* Arena Tour - Buenos Aires, Argentina

:* The Hill Fighters - Gramado, Brazil

:* Watch Out Combat Show - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

:* BRACE - Canberra, Queensland, Australia

:* Eternal MMA - Coolangatta, Queensland, Australia

:* MMA Down Under - Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

:* Xtreme Fighting Championship (Australia) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

:* Inoki Genome Fight - Tokyo, Japan

:* Kunlun Fight - China

:* Ultimate Challenge MMA (UCMMA) - London, England

:* Gladiator Championship Fighting - Prague, Czech Republic

:* Strength & Honor Championship - Geneva, Switzerland

:* Respect Fighting Championship - Herne, Germany

:* Fair Fighting Championship - Herne, Germany

:* Legion/Gladiator Fighting Championship - Grunsfeld, Germany

:* Absolute Championship Berkut - Grozny, Russia

:* Tech-Krep Fighting Championship - Krasnodar, Russia

:* Desert Force Championship - Amman, Jordan

Past MMA promotions

This is a list of now defunct MMA promotions:

Current top MMA Gyms

According to Bleacher Report's May 2014 rankings, these are the top MMA Gyms in the world based on how many top ranked fighters, including UFC champions they currently train:

  • 1. Jackson-Winkeljohn MMA located in Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • 2. American Top Team (ATT) located in Coconut Creek, Florida.
  • 3. American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) located in San Jose, California.
  • 4. Nova União located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • 5. Blackzilians located in Boca Raton, Florida
  • 6. Alliance MMA located in San Diego, California
  • 7. Team Nogueira/Black House based out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • 8. AMC Pankration located in Kirkland, Washington.
  • 9. Roufusport located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
  • 10. Team Alpha Male located in Sacramento, California.
  • Notable mentions:

:* Reign MMA located in Orange County, California

:* MMA Lab located at located in Glendale, Arizona

:* Tristar Gym located at Montreal, Quebec, Canada

According to SB Nation (mmamania.com) September 2014 rankings, these are the top MMA camps in Asia:

  • Evolve MMA Based in Singapore.
  • Tiger Muay Thai Located in Phuket, Thailand.
  • Busan Team M.A.D. located in Busan, South Korea.
  • Tribe MMA located in Tokyo, Japan.
  • Korean Top Team Located in Seoul, South Korea.
  • Team Lakay located in Baguio, Philippines.
  • Notable mentions:

:* AKA (Thailand) located in Phuket, Thailand

:* Team Quest (Thailand) located in Chiang Mai, Thailand