Mixed martial arts gave the combat sports scene a major shot in the arm when it emerged in the mid-1990s. Boxing, which had long ruled the fighting landscape, would mostly dismiss its more brutal counterpart until the UFC was able to establish itself as a legitimate organization. Since MMA has emerged past its “human cockfighting” origins and developed into a more established sport, its popularity has grown.
But much like with anyone making Premier League predictions, there is plenty of debate about whether MMA has passed up the “Sweet Science” as a more watchable combat sport than boxing. While both sports are full of their characters and personalities, MMA has one edge over boxing that helps make things a little bit more entertaining. The MMA world is ruled by a monopoly, the UFC, that helps bring the best competitors together. There are external forces that have crippled boxing.
Here’s what makes MMA better to watch than boxing.
