About Fighting Sports
Fighting sports have been around since ancient times. Notably, fighting games are among the earliest games in the Olympics. Boxing, wrestling, and pankration are among the earliest combat sports in the Olympics. These sports were in the ancient Olympics and are still among the most popular sports in the modern Olympics.
Here, we will look at the most popular fighting sports worldwide.
Mixed Martial Arts
Mixed Martial Arts (
MMA) is believed to have been in the ancient Olympics of 648 BCE. However, the style's popularity shrank when emperor Theodosius I banned Olympics in 393 CE. Years later, in 1925, it resurfaced in Brazil. Still, the sport has not been added to the modern Olympic program.
The style did not get much attention until the 1990s, when it first entered the US. In 1993, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) was born after a tournament at the McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. This event was broadcasted live on a cable television pay-per-view, which marked the start of popularity.
As the name suggests, mixed martial arts (MMA) is a fighting technique that integrates multiple martial art styles. It is practiced and regulated by a set of rules known as the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts. MMA is one of the fastest-growing fighting styles, attracting millions of fans worldwide. Recent studies show that MMA receives over 13 billion views across various social media and live combat streaming platforms.
Boxing
Boxing is the most popular combat sport of all time. Typically, boxing matches record an average viewership of 1 billion across different channels. Additionally, boxing is one of the most lucrative industries regarding sports betting PPV buys.
It is one of the earliest and first Olympic games. Essentially, boxing has existed throughout human history. But, as an Olympic game, boxing entered the ancient Olympics in 688 BC.
The game entails beating the opponent through consistent punching and kicking. It is usually practiced per a set of rules known as Marquess of Queensberry rules.
Karate
Karate is the other fast-growing combat sport that emphasizes more on self-defense. Statistics show that karate has lately recorded a 160% growth rate, recording a higher growth rate than MMA. Regarding karate fighting on tv, stream, and PPV viewership, the sport has roughly 600 million fans.
Still, very little is known about the history and origin of karate before Okinawa. Various controversial theories widely explain the style's history.
Some theories suggest that karate was developed in Western India by Zen Buddhism founder Daruma about 1400 years ago. Other legends have it that the style was first taught by
Sakugawa Kanga and
Sokon Matsumura. Still, some historians suggest that karate sprung from multiple indigenous martial arts.
Wrestling
Wrestling is one of the oldest combat games in human history. The sport appeared in the ancient Olympics in 708 BCE. Typically, there are several wrestling variants, each with a unique history. For example, belt wrestling is believed to originate from Egypt and Babylonia, while loose wrestling is traced back to India.
The modern style of wrestling history is typically traced back to the 19
th century. The popularization of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling in Europe, the US, and Great Britain is the precursor of modern wrestling. The two wrestling styles are among the first modern Olympics games.
Unlike most combat sports, wrestling is popular among people of all ages. Approximately 22% of total wrestling fans are between the ages of 2-17. 49% of total fans are between 18 and 49, and 29% are 50 and above.
Live Fighting on TV, Streams, and PPVs
Combat games have massive followership globally. The games attract millions of views on tv, streaming platforms, Pay-Per-View, and social media sites.
Interestingly, dozens of TV channels broadcast various live fighting contests. Better yet, hundreds of sports streaming sites deliver combat sports. Even better, most tv channels sell PPV tickets, enabling fans to watch individual events. Also, there are dozens of PPV platforms like Planet Sport that sell combat sports events.
In addition, most combat sports are usually taped and sold out as PPV records. Thus, you can never miss an exciting event in the combat sports world.
The best channels to watch live fights include
ESPN, OTT TV, Live +3' TV, UFC Fight Pass, and DAZN.
Final Words
When it comes to fighting on TV, streams, and PPVs, combat games fascinate people of almost all ages and preferences. Interestingly, there are more than enough fighting game variations broadcast live by various TV channels. Thus, you can effortlessly watch your favorite martial arts fights. All you need is a TV fighting schedule for your favorite combat sport and a tv or PPV subscription.
