Royce Gracie made headlines at the first UFC fighting tournaments when he participated in them to show off his exceptional grappling abilities, helping to popularise MMA across North America. Unfortunately, its spread met resistance from politicians such as John McCain, who considered it human cockfighting.
Regular events feature many fighters competing across a wide variety of weight classes. People pay to witness these battles!
1. Becoming a fearless fighter
Step one in becoming successful in UFC is developing an unafraid fighting style. Not only must this require plenty of courage and gutsiness, but it must also set you apart from competitors.
BJ Penn rose to prominence as one of the sport’s most daring fighters, often fighting at catchweight and taking on some of MMA history’s most renowned figures like GSP and Matt Hughes.
His victories against Jeremy Stephens, Shane Roller and Evan Dunham showcased his aggressive fighting style while Nate Diaz and Rich Clementi’s defeats showed its downside; nevertheless he remains one of MMA’s fearless fighters today.
2. Joining a reputable MMA gym
Finding an MMA gym that meets your training goals may seem intimidating, but it’s key that you make an informed choice. Start by conducting some preliminary online research: read reviews and visit websites of potential gyms to gain an idea of their quality of instruction and atmosphere; also ask current members about their experiences!
A successful MMA gym needs a distinctive brand identity to attract customers and establish trust. Events and competitions should also be hosted to generate excitement and interest in your gym; professional fighters hosting seminars or meet-and-greets may inspire members, while you could sponsor local MMA tournaments or amateur fights to draw crowds.
3. Networking
The UFC provides excellent content, but could do more in its marketing of itself. At present, its target audience can be difficult to reach; with better promotion of their brand through effective promotion tactics, this could change significantly and grow even more popularly than it already is.
The WWE Network has come under criticism for its pricing structure, yet comparing the two services would be unfair. The UFC does not possess the WWE’s vast library of content and it would be unreasonable to expect them to produce large volumes of original programming – they focus more on PPV services that make money; thus making WWE Network a better value option today.
4. Developing a distinctive fighting style
Fighters typically develop their own fighting styles based on the martial arts systems they practiced prior to transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA). For instance, Nak Muay experts typically focus on striking while Jujiteiro practitioners would likely opt for grappling and taking the fight down on to the ground.
UFC fans find the unique style and fighting approach so captivating, making the UFC an engaging spectacle to watch. Aspiring fighters should strive to develop proficiency in each of the three primary styles of mixed martial arts (MMA): BJJ, Muay Thai and wrestling.
Israel Adesanya of New Zealand and Nigeria stands out as an excellent example. A YouTube street-fighting legend prior to joining the UFC, Adesanya quickly become a fan favorite thanks to his creative striking style that even non-MMA fans recognized him by name; thanks in large part to his showman-like persona and entertaining antics inside and outside the Octagon.
5. Developing a strong physical game
In Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), physical fitness is paramount. Training should consist of weightlifting and cardio exercises such as squats or deadlifts that target multiple muscle groups at once – these compound exercises also build endurance. According to MMA Today, weight training alone may not suffice; training must include weight lifting combined with cardio workouts in order to succeed at this sport.
One of the most iconic moments in UFC history can be traced back to a skinny Irishman with a cheeky demeanor and an innovative striking style, like Jorge Masvidal. Fans have fallen in love with him thanks to his knockout power; and so far he remains undefeated in middleweight competition.
The UFC emerged out of cage-fighting subculture, but gained widespread fame through reality TV show TUF, which exposed it to new audiences while changing its rules and introducing Rousey-dominated women’s division.