With the growing popularity of MMA, it is gradually getting mainstream attention. Needless to say, Mixed Martial Arts has become one of the fastest-growing sports in the world in the past two decades. From UFC, and Bellator to One Championship, a number of MMA promotions have garnered fans worldwide. As different types of martial arts can be used in MMA, it is common to see a fusion of different styles from different fighters inside the octagon.
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Every notable MMA promotion has fighters from different parts of the world. While the sport is very popular and draws a lot of eyeballs in some countries, it is also an alien sport in a number of nations.
10 Strong Focus: Singapore
Singapore has become one of the prime markets of MMA in Asia, owing to the success of One Championship, which is a Singapore-based promotion with many world-class fighters, including former UFC fighters. One Championship is arguably one of the biggest MMA promotions in Asia and worldwide.
Singapore has many talented MMA fighters. Royston Wee was a fighter to make it to UFC. In fact, UFC 275 is set to take place in Singapore, showing the strong MMA focus in the country
9 Doesn't Focus: India
Being the second-most populous country in the world, India can be a potentially huge market for MMA. However, MMA has a long way to go before it becomes a strong focus in the country. WWE or professional wrestling has a big market in India, but UFC or MMA is yet to do the same.
In order to get a strong focus, India must produce world-class fighters who can compete in UFC. There are a handful of Indian MMA talents, especially in One Championship.
8 Strong Focus: Russia
Russia is a country that has been doing a phenomenal job and creating amazing talents in the world of MMA. Sambo is the most popular combat sport in Russia, and a majority of fighters from there have Sambo as their base fighting style.
The most famous Russian fighter is certainly Khabib Nurmagomedov, who is a former UFC Lightweight Champion. Besides The Eagle, Islam Makachev, Alexander Shlemenko, Alexey Oleynik, and Alexander Volkov are some well-known Russian MMA talents.
7 Doesn't Focus: Greece
With a rich history, Greece was the place where ancient combat sports were born. Ancient Greek Pankration was believed to be the origin of hand-to-hand combat sports. Today, the scenario is totally different.
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Greece doesn't have a strong focus on MMA and the country doesn't produce noteworthy talents in the sport. Andreas Michailidis is possibly the only famous Greek MMA fighter after making it to the UFC.
6 Strong Focus: Brazil
Along with soccer, volleyball, and motor racing, MMA has become one of the primary sports in Brazil in the past two decades. The rising popularity of MMA in Brazil has been possible after producing many elite fighters who fight in UFC as well as other well-known promotions.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu is an essential form of martial art in the MMA world right now, and a myriad of fighters use it as the ground game. Given BJJ is native to Brazil, it is no surprise why the South American nation has a strong focus on MMA. Anderson Silva, who is known as one of the greatest fighters in MMA history, is a Brazilian. Also, Jose Aldo, Amanda Nunes, Wanderlei Silva, Cris Cyborg, and many elite fighters have been produced by Brazil.
5 Doesn't Focus: Portugal
Being the land of Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer is the biggest sport in Portugal along with rugby, swimming, tennis, basketball, etc. But the South Western European country has a long way to go before becoming a country with a strong focus on MMA.
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Portugal hasn't created any major stars in MMA, but it acknowledged MMA as an official sport back in 2018.
4 Strong Focus: Canada
Canada is certainly one of the biggest hotbeds for MMA. The popularity of Mixed Martial Arts in Canada has created many noteworthy fighters from the country, allowing them to compete at the highest level, including in UFC. Canada has MMA promotions like Warrior-1 MMA and Maximum Fighting Championship.
The most recognized Canadian MMA fighter is obviously George St. Pierre, who is regarded as one of the greatest in the sport and a former two-division UFC Champion. Sam Stout, Rory MacDonald, etc are some outstanding fighters to emerge from Canada.
3 Doesn't Focus: France
Like most European countries, soccer is the biggest sport in France. The country has focused on many other sports, but MMA isn't one of them. In fact, France made MMA illegal and stopped broadcasting it in 2016. Fortunately, they lifted the ban in 2020.
With the least focus on MMA, France has failed to create notable fighters to compete at the highest level. There are very few top-notch French-born MMA fighters, except for Ciryl Gane, who was a former Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion.
2 Strong Focus: The United States
The United States is the epicenter of the MMA world. Hence, it is also one of the fastest-growing sports in the USA, creating not only great talents but also the biggest MMA promotions in the world. UFC, the largest MMA promotion in the world, is from the USA, and it is way ahead of its competitors. Bellator MMA is another big promotion from the country.
When it comes to fighters, the USA has produced countless world-class fighters over the years. From Daniel Cormier, Tito Ortiz, Dametrious Johnson, and Jon Jones, to Ronda Rousey, the list is endless while naming the greatest American MMA fighters.
1 Doesn't Focus: Norway
Norway is a country where MMA is still not legal. As a matter of fact, among combat sports, pro-boxing is also illegal in Norway, making it a difficult place to grow the popularity of the sport. But MMA still exists in Norway, and Norwegian MMA fighters need to compete outside the country if they want to fight or participate in any MMA competition.
With such restrictions on MMA, Norway hasn't been able to make top-level MMA fighters.
