Issue 060
March 2010
The worldwide growth and development of mixed martial arts has seen a plethora of promotions crop up. Some are big, some are small, and all play an essential role in helping the sport reach new eyes and ears.
IN BRIEF
UFC
The world’s foremost MMA promotion, the UFC gave birth to modern MMA in the West.
Strikeforce
Regional player turned international contender, Strikeforce is number two in the USA in terms of prestige.
Dream
Japanese promotion seen by many as the successor to the once-great Pride Fighting Championships.
WEC
World Extreme Cagefighting is owned by Zuffa LLC and is the sister promotion to the UFC.
M-1 Challenge
A team-based competition where countries fight against one another in different places around the world.
Art of War
China’s only major MMA promotion, Art of War aims to bring MMA to one of the spiritual homes of martial arts.
Shooto
Long-running Japanese event, Shooto has held at least one event a month since the mid nineties.
KNOWN FOR
UFC
Being the only true global superpower in MMA – the UFC is simply the best MMA promotion in the world.
Strikeforce
Providing a home for the best fighters not with the UFC, also its landmark CBS TV deal.
Dream
Its uncanny resemblance to Pride! Uses a white canvassed boxing ring, and has many of the same fighters as Pride did.
WEC
Featuring the lighter weight-classes; WEC focuses exclusively on 135, 145 and 155lb fights.
M-1 Challenge
The connection with a certain famous Russian heavyweight; M-1 Global is part-owned by Fedor.
Art of War
Held in a ring, Art of War uses rules close to vale tudo (stomps and soccer kicks are allowed) and has no judges.
Shooto
A commitment to developing ‘rookie’ fighters; most Japanese fighters graduate from its ranks.
OPERATING SINCE
UFC
The UFC held its first event way back in November 1993, the first time the USA saw MMA.
Strikeforce
Started life as an MMA promotion in March 2006.
Dream
Held the first event under the Dream banner in March 2008.
WEC
Started life in California in 2001, bought out by Zuffa in December 2006.
M-1 Challenge
The M-1 Challenge series has been running since March 2008.
Art of War
AOW held its first event in Beijing in 2005.
Shooto
Shooto held its first professional event in 1989, with amateur contests dating back to 1985.
BASED OUT OF
UFC
The head office is in Las Vegas, but the UFC operates worldwide and has offices in London also.
Strikeforce
San Jose, California is its home, but it has held events all over the USA (including at the Playboy Mansion).
Dream
Tokyo, but it holds events across Japan.
WEC
The promotion is based out of Zuffa headquarters in Las Vegas.
M-1 Challenge
The company is Russian-owned but based in Holland and holds events worldwide.
Art of War
Primarily based out of Beijing, although it has held an event in Macau.
Shooto
Though part of the International Shooto Commission, the Japanese event is based in Tokyo.
WHO ARE ITS FIGHTERS?
UFC
Everyone who’s anyone. The UFC has got the best champs and the biggest names.
Strikeforce
Fedor Emelianenko, Gegard Mousasi, Dan Henderson, Cung Le and many more.
Dream
Some of the best lightweights in the world (Shinya Aoki, Eddie Alvarez, Joachim Hansen, etc).
WEC
Urijah Faber, Jose Aldo, Miguel Torres – the best sub-155lb talent in the world.
M-1 Challenge
Many, many fighters from around the world – each of its 16 teams has a changing roster of five fighters.
Art of War
The majority of Art of War’s talent is comprised of local fighters, but many recognizable names fight for it.
Shooto
Its roster is filled with up-and-comers, but everyone from Nick Diaz to Anderson Silva has fought in Shooto.
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