The Emergence of Mixed Martial-Arts and the Future of Boxing: An Analysis of Consumer Interest and Compensation

Nicholas M. Watanabe, Brian P. Soebbing, Tarlan Chahardovali and Yinle Huang

Journal of Sports Economics, 2025, vol. 26, issue 2, 172-195

Abstract: Despite its long-standing history as the most popular and mainstream combat sport, boxing has been confronted with increased competition from mixed martial arts (MMA) in recent decades. The dominant organization in the MMA market, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), has grown to become a multibillion dollar organization. In this article, we directly compare consumer interest and fighter compensation between boxing and the UFC to consider the economic potential for these combat sports into the future. Overall, our conclusions indicate that boxing has continued to be more lucrative as a whole, with the key factor being the presence of superstar athletes.

Keywords: demand; boxing; ultimate fighting championship; wages; gender (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:jospec:v:26:y:2025:i:2:p:172-195

DOI: 10.1177/15270025231156058

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