Mixed Martial Arts has quickly grown from something quite niche, into a mainstream sport which is taken extremely seriously. It’s estimated that anywhere between 5 and 6 million people watch top UFC fights, for instance. But what exactly is the appeal to its fans? Let’s take a look at the main reasons why people are drawn to the world of MMA.
Anyone Can Do It
Mixed Martial Arts is something that literally anyone can do. With hard work and practice, results are attainable. It’s not that likely that you will become a successful tennis star or golf professional. In fact, without the expensive coaching and equipment, it’s very hard to enjoy any success in many sports.
But MMA is the polar opposite of sports like tennis or golf. You don’t really need much equipment to get going. It doesn’t matter if you’re tall or short, male or female, old or young. Literally anyone can get involved, and this feeling that it is a realistic hobby is definitely one of MMA’s biggest draws.
But it also appeals to something more primal. Humans are naturally competitive. Our ancestors fought over resources such as land and food. In more modern, civilised society, we’ve shifted to fighting for bragging rights, but that animal instinct remains. And MMA is a fantastic way to harness it and channel it in a positive way.
Relatable Stars
The stars of MMA are highly relatable, and this ties back into the fact that anyone can practice Mixed Martial Arts. Think about a sport like soccer. You have teenagers and young men in their early 20s who are already millionaires, flaunting their wealth on social media. It’s quite difficult for sports fans today to relate.
But if you look at someone like Connor McGregor, for instance. He grew up in a working-class environment and had a normal job as a plumber. He got into fighting at a young age so that he could deal with bullies. That feels like it could be the story of any youngster, anywhere in the world, and it’s both inspiring and relatable.
This sense of connection to MMA fighters is also heightened by the fact that it is very much a solo pursuit. Sure, a star quarterback is going to attract attention, but ultimately football is about the team. But there’s something about rooting for a specific individual, rather than a group, which makes MMA feel more personal. We are somehow more invested in a fighter’s successes and failures. Particularly where we share the same nationality.
Strength, Conditioning and Self-Defense
Many people get into MMA more through participation than by viewing, or betting on high profile events on television. And with good reasons too. We’ve already covered the fact that it’s super easy to get into MMA and that literally anyone can do it. But for many, the journey begins with a desire for self-improvement.
Maybe you want to shed a few pounds, or increase your strength? It might be more about the mental aspect, which MMA helps you to develop. The discipline, patience, respect, problem solving or just the sheer determination not to quit and the will to win. Or perhaps it’s about learning self defence?
Marketability
Whatever the motivation for participation in Mixed Martial Arts, with 450 million fans around the globe already, it has grown into a genuinely mainstream sport. With that comes a marketability that will only help to bring MMA to an even wider audience. For instance, much like with soccer, basketball and ice hockey, there is now a hugely successful MMA video game franchise.
But it’s not just games consoles getting in on the action, as even online casinos now offer a range of UFC themed slots like the MMA Legends Slot. With graphics, sounds, and images designed to appeal to MMA fans, the best of these casino games can be found at Vegas Slots Online, which compares various slots and casinos at a glance. It also features instructions on how to get the latest bonuses on offer, as well as license information, payment methods, plus other information to help inform our choices.
It’s difficult to escape MMA merchandise today, with everything from games, clothing, kitchenware, toiletries and even food being touched by Mixed Martial Arts. It just goes to show how popular this sport has become. And its popularity seems sure to remain for the foreseeable future.