With the coming years Sports is no longer just a source of entertainment but has been an big business market. In addition, it is not just limited to the field as technology has made it easy for everyone to gain access.
From paid platforms like DAZN and ESPN+ to no-cost platforms like YouTube, they all have boosted the reach of the sports industry. But when it comes to most pay-per-view events combat sports are people's favorites. So here are the 5 most loved and viewed combat sports.
#5. MUAY THAI
Among the most devastating martial arts in the world, Muay Thai originated in Thailand comes first in the list.
Having its origins in martial arts, this game has gained popularity in the United States, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Fans have some major leagues to look upon such as One Championship, Supershowdown, Muay Thai Grand Prix and Lion Fight and many more.
Companies like Channel 8 aspire to reach around 20 million viewers with the launch of three more leagues.
#4. KICKBOXING
The growing demand for athletic performances has led to an influx of promotion brands entering the market and providing athletes with a great platform on which to perform. There is a growing interest in kickboxing, and Glory is home to some of the biggest names in kickboxing such as Rico Verhoeven, Badr Hari, Alistair Overeem, Jamel Benseddik, etc.
Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari had set the record for drawing 3.5 million live viewers .
Major deals with companies like ESPN in 2015 is targeted to gather much more audience than the game had ever scene .Kunlun Fight are other china based promotional brand that attract great audience.
#3. WWE
Clocks were set to root for our favorite WWE player in childhood. Raw, Smackdown, Wrestlemania are some of WWE’s thrilling shows where some of most billed fights takes place. Players like Undertaker and John Cena had changed society's view that sports could also be a career option.
Steve Austin vs the Undertaker match of 1999 made 10,721,000 viewers on cable in that decade and still remains at that place. With the internet came other platforms like YouTube and gave access to the Tribute To The Troops 2008 which made 159 Million Viewswhich was one of the most watched on YouTube.
#2. MMA
Though being formally introduced in 1990's, MMA has made its way to the top viewed games around the world in such a short period that it has been named as the fastest growing sport in the combat world. And given us all time legends like "Mighty Mouse" Johnson and George St-Pierre
In addition to getting its finest athletes, countries like Japan, USA, and UK are also the ones watching it most. UFC has been a hub of MMA and has been the biggest platforms with highest PPV fights such as McGregor vs Nurmagomedov ( UFC 229 ) which had 2,400,000 PPV and McGregor v Diaz 2 –(UFC 202) with 1,650,000 PPV Buys.
Apart from UFC, there are many big promotions like Bellator MMA, Absolute Championship Akhmat (ACA), One Championship and many more.
#1. BOXING
We all remember Mike Tyson and Mohammad Ali. These names are not just legendary names but has revolutionized the whole boxing scene. Matches like Tyson vs LENNOX in 2002 which broke all records and made $112 million are part of boxing’s illustrious history.
In the current era also matches like Floyd Mayweather V Manny Pacquiao have set even bigger milestones. Their fight is unbeatable in history and has made the highest PPV buys of 4.4 million.
It was titled the fight of the century. In countries like Mexico, boxing matches outnumber the other games like soccer. Boxing is most viewed among combat games with maximum viewership from the USA, Mexico, and Philippines as the top countries.
The love for sports has been growing everseen and will continue till the end . More sports are in line to make it to the big 5’s when it comes to the most viewed combat sports all around the globe.
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