MMA’s Eclipse Of Boxing Is Only A Matter Of Time

Despite posting absolutely ludicrous numbers year-in and year-out, there is no question that boxing has no answers for MMA. The world of combat sports as entertainment was once thought of as a realm where boxing, MMA, and pro-wrestling could share fans. However, fans and promoters alike should expect MMA to overtake both of its competitors easily within the next decade.

Without hard numbers, it is still easy to identify that boxing has fewer superstars and recognizable names than MMA. Undoubtedly, Floyd Mayweather is the most popular (and the most handsomely paid) fighter alive today. However, apart from Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, the youth and media simply do not know or care about any other boxing stars at the moment. When these aging superstars decide to retire, the boxing world will be completely void of mainstream faces. The MMA spheres face no such problems. UFC stars have seen a rapid increase in media coverage, from Ronda Rousey roles in blockbusters such as Furious 7 and Entourage, Conor McGregor appearances on the wildly popular talk show Conan, to infamous paparazzi site TMZ stalking mild-mannered champion Chris Weidman to clubs post-fight.

Another reason that MMA is skyrocketing in popularity is the rapid boom of Jiu-Jitsu and MMA gyms across the country. In any major city, MMA has firmly planted its roots in terms of class size and memberships. Many average civilians looking for exercise are now much more likely to choose grappling over boxing, because BJJ allows them to train while taking less punishment over the course of sessions and is also decidedly less intimidating.

Finally, the realization that a boxer would stand almost no chance in a real fight against an equally trained MMA fighter is becoming more and more apparent. UFC president Dana White has not been shy in voicing his (most likely correct) belief that bantamweight weight champion Ronda Rousey could dismantle Floyd Mayweather in a street fight. With the increase in skill in MMA competitors nowadays, it has become clear that boxing cannot compare with MMA in terms of unarmed combat. The allure of a complete fighting game easily trumps the one-dimensional nature of boxing.

Today, boxing still hauls in major numbers that destroy MMA. However, it is not too bold a prediction, because of the reasons stated above, that MMA will soon relegate boxing to a backseat in the near future.