Top MMA stories of 2009
In an industry that has featured rampant changes annually since hitting it big in North America in 2006, the mixed…
In an industry that has featured rampant changes annually since hitting it big in North America in 2006, the mixed martial arts scene seems strangely calm as we approach 2010.
With the exception of the industry-leading Ultimate Fighting Championship, the story of the sport over the past few years seemed to be a race to see which companies can spend themselves out of business. But with Affliction closing its doors just eight days before its second scheduled 2009 event, and the Japanese Sengoku promotion seemingly on its last legs, joining up with rival Dream for the country’s annual New Year’s Eve event, the year ends with the industry largely dominated by three groups. And none of the three seem in any danger of closing up shop.
Zuffa LLC, which runs UFC and the smaller World Extreme Cagefighting, remains the worldwide market leader. In 2009, Zuffa continued to expand television into new countries and pursued new revenue streams, such as merchandising and licensing, most notably a successful video game that sold in the neighborhood of 3 million units. The year saw the company debut in Germany, and next year is set for inaugural shows in both Australia and likely Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
After spearheading legislation to get regulated in Pennsylvania and Tennessee, UFC debuted in the former with UFC 101 in Philadelphia on Aug. 8, and ran two shows in Tennessee, on April 1 in Nashville and Dec. 5 in Memphis.
Before the year was out, the company successfully lobbied for regulation in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Massachusetts, with major events scheduled for June 12 in Vancouver and Aug. 28 in Boston.
The company has in particular set its focus on New York state and Ontario, two of the final holdouts, hopeful of running in Madison Square Garden as well as the Rogers Centre in Toronto. The latter, which could hold 60,000 fans, would undoubtedly set the sport’s all-time attendance record in North America.
Strikeforce ends the year as the most solid No. 2 brand in the history of MMA. Scott Coker’s former San Jose, Calif.-based regional promotion, owned by Silicon Valley Sports, the parent company of the San Jose Sharks and HP Pavilion, made its big move early in the year when it finalized a three-pronged deal. It purchased contracts and certain assets from Pro Elite, Inc., the parent company of the defunct Elite XC group, for $3 million. They also signed television deals with Showtime and CBS, and it boasts some of the best-known names in the sport, including Fedor Emelianenko, Dan Henderson and Gina Carano.
Dream remains the last remnant of a once-strong Japanese market. What is unique is Strikeforce and Dream plan to exchange talent, with Dream’s welterweight champion, Marius Zaromskis, headlining the first Strikeforce show of 2010 against Nick Diaz.
10. Georges St. Pierre dominates rematch with B.J. Penn
9. Death of Charles Mask Lewis
8. Kimbo Slice leads Ultimate Fighter to record ratings
7. Injury and illness rate skyrockets
6. Strikeforce signs Fedor
5. Affliction bites the dust
4. UFC 100 sets records
3. Lesnar’s future in question
2. Strikeforce becomes solid No. 2 promotion with CBS and Showtime contracts
1. UFC sets all-time pay-per-view record
