MMA Crunch

Here in the states, there seems to be some kind of mixed martial event available to watch every weekend from the comfort of your couch. Gone are the days of waiting for once-a-month events in which fighters do battle in the cage. EliteXC was just the latest mma organization to provide some action unto a nationwide audience. It may not rank among the most elite mixed martial arts organizations, but the ability to be able to rank these organizations shows that the mma movement is progressing.

The UFC still has a major foothold on most of the top fighters in the world. Therefore, it is and will likely remain the sport’s top organization. However, the fact that other fight leagues are beginning to push the UFC can only mean that the sports best will become even better. Currently, Affliction is attempting to offer some rather hefty payouts to lure some of the top fighters into its organization. But if Affliction can not develop more than a heavyweight division, it will probably fall along the wayside. However, Affliction has quickly carved out a niche of its own.

Affliction has instantly become the land of the heavyweights with such notable fighters as Fedor Emelianenko and Andrei Arlovski. A similar niche could also be found in the WEC as its main attraction is the smaller fighters whose weight classes are not visible in the UFC. The featherweight and bantamweight divisions bring an exciting type of fighting as it features smaller, quicker fighters. Urijah Faber and Miguel Torres are just two examples of the excitement that comes out of those divisions.

Even the EliteXC has managed to find a niche of its own. There, one can watch some rather entertaining women’s fights not available in any of the other top organizations. While the men’s competition falls short of many of the other top organizations, EliteXC’s women are thriving.

So while the UFC is still conquering the sport of mixed martial arts, other organizations have sprouted up and each offer something different. Furthermore, each one has managed to find its own niche which make it appealing to the public. It might be futile to rank these organizations, although it is interesting to step back and take a look at the best of what each one has to offer.

Affliction, EliteXC, UFC, WEC