My first Publication Overtime November 2019 Merged PDF | Page 15

CAN MMA COMBAT BOXING?
2019 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu European Bronze medallist Mick Brennan thinks MMA will soon overtake boxing as
the top combat sport
Words Sonny Turner
F
or decades boxing has been the number one
combat sport, but maybe not for much longer.
Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is currently the
fastest growing sport in the world. The sport’s central
platform, the UFC, has gone from being worth $2
million in 2001 to being sold in 2016 for $4 billion.
What has led to the huge boom in MMA popularity?
Will it overtake boxing? To find out, Overtime enlisted
the help of former professional MMA fighter, 2019
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) European Bronze medallist
and owner of the Team Ryano Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and
MMA gym, Mick ‘Basher’ Brennan to try and find out.
Like most phenomena, MMA’s rise cannot be pinned
down to one cause.
“I would put it down to a combination of things,”
said Brennan, echoing that sentiment. “Big shows like
Pride, Strikeforce and Bellator helped build MMA
popularity alongside the UFC.
But UFC has remained the top MMA show since
the beginning of mixed martial arts. Through great
marketing, social media & big sponsorships for pay
per views and fighters it has definitely helped the
popularity of the sport. UFC and Bellator in particular
have had a big increase on promotion over the last few
years.
“People now have a better understanding of the
sport; rule set, and training, for example, that’s
involved, not to mention it’s an exciting combat sport
to watch. People also have way more access to view
fights through Spike TV, Fox Sports, BT Sports, as well
as attending live shows. It’s the most popular combat
sport in the world.”
Brennan also believes that the sport’s popularity
has grown as opportunities for participation have
increased. “MMA and BJJ training and training
facilities have increased tremendously all over
the world, which allows more and more people to
engage and be part of the MMA world. This results in
continuous growth for the sport as more people get
involved, more facilities are opened, and so the cycle
is perpetual.”
In addition to the ever increasing exposure the
MMA world is receiving, Brennan also believes that
the rise in popularity is down to people’s increasing
desire to know how to defend themselves. On this
he stated: “Self defence is one of the reasons MMA
popularity has risen, in particular Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Most people can’t believe how effective MMA and BJJ
are until after their first class, then they are hooked.”
There is no doubt that it is younger generations who
are primarily driving MMA’s success, and as the owner
of an MMA gym, Brennan knows first-hand what is
attracting them to the sport. “The young generation
are intrigued with a few different elements of MMA.
It has the cool factor. It’s a new challenge. They may
already be a fan of watching MMA.”
When further questioned on the possibility that
young people may be getting involved in the sport as
a result of it being the closest possible combat sport
to a street fight, and so possibly the most ‘realistic’
combat sport, Brennan was quick to reply with: “I
think the young generation aren’t attracted to MMA
because it resembles a street fight, they are attracted
by the extreme skillset and athleticism of some of the
world’s best MMA fighters they watch on TV. It’s the
wow factor.”
Despite continuing success, MMA is still seen as
secondary in popularity terms to boxing. However,
the rapid growth of MMA could see it become number
one, sooner rather than later. On this Brennan said:
“There is a lot more money in boxing. I definitely
think MMA could overtake boxing in popularity. It’s
possibly already in the process, but financially it’s still
way behind.”
“People now have a better
understanding of the sport. Rule
set, and training, for example,
that’s involved, not to mention it’s
an exciting combat sport to watch”
Regardless of being financially behind, there are
many aspects in which MMA is already superior to
boxing, none more prominent than its governance.
Take the UFC for example, one champion per weight
class, compared to boxing’s farcical number of
champions per weight class (there are four ‘major’
world titles in each division).
When questioned on whether this could lead to fans
preferring MMA to boxing, Brennan replied: “Yes.
There is one Champion in each weight class which
simply means that one person is the very best of that
particular division. In boxing I feel there are too many
championships, promotions, etc. It would definitely
be one of many reasons MMA would overtake boxing
in popularity.”
Brennan believes this could also be a key to becoming
the number one combat sport: “MMA has a good
reputation in regards to referees, judges, decisions
etc.
This could potentially make people prefer MMA
over boxing eventually.”
Mick Brennan (above) (Pic: Sonny Turner)
On the occasion where viewers were able to witness
MMA and boxing go head to head, the boxing match
between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor,
boxing seemingly claimed victory, with Mayweather
claiming a TKO victory.
Looking deeper at ‘The Biggest Fight in Combat
Sports History’, it is possible to suggest that MMA
taking over is a sign of things to come, with a UFC
fighter producing the second highest ever pay-per-
view takings for a boxing match.
When posed this argument, Brennan, a former
fighter himself, replied: “I think it was more of a case
of boxing’s biggest name vs MMA’s biggest name
going to go at it for the very first time ever, which
made it very interesting & made people really want to
see what would happen. It’s possibly a sign of things
to come in the long run.”
MMA’s rise in such a short period has seen it reap
huge rewards, but will it become the number one
combat sport in the world?
Overtime asks:
Can Mixed Martial Arts overtake boxing as the number one combat
sport?
Mick Brennan in training (Pic: Sonny Turner)
Tweet @OverTime_Online to provide your opinion
15