UFC

In this article, I’m going to answer all of the questions you might have, covering everything from who owns the UFC to the prevalence of Irish fighters throughout the UFC and the leadership of President Dana White.

And so if you’re ready to learn more about UFC ownership, watching options and Ireland’s contributions to the sport, not to mention the basics of the sport, you’ve come to the right place.

Introducing the UFC

First and foremost, what is UFC? Well, it’s the world’s leading organization for MMA promotion, helping to spread the word about mixed martial arts throughout the globe. Founded in 1993, the aim was to establish a tournament structure for global MMA that would allow them to determine the world’s best fighters across a range of weight classes and disciplines.

When answering the question of what is UFC, it helps to take a look at the basics of how global MMA tournaments tend to work, especially in the context of the UFC. Essentially, fighters are pitted against one another in divisions that are separated by weight and which range from flyweight to heavyweight. The best fighters in each class will be awarded the title of champion and given the championship belt.

These tournaments have played a hugely important role in popularizing MMA, because they’ve helped to standardize the way the industry works. The UFC has done for MMA what the WWE did for professional wrestling at the turn of the millennium.

Who’s in Charge of the UFC?

The question of who owns the UFC is an interesting one, because it’s not as easy as just pointing to one person. In fact, the current UFC owner is Endeavor Group, which is an international sports and entertainment company which purchased a controlling stake in the company ten years ago in 2016.

But while the answer to who owns the UFC is Endeavor, which is led by CEO Ari Emmanuel, the question of who actually runs it is a different one altogether. Controversial President Dana White has led the franchise for a quarter century, first taking over in 2001, and it’s White who’s arguably responsible for the rise of the UFC and its domination when it comes to MMA.

Under White’s leadership, the UFC has established an ESPN partnership, allowing it to reach far more people and boost its global expansion through the mainstream visibility that ESPN has been able to provide. At the same time, ESPN benefits from having the exclusive broadcast rights to UFC events.

Where You Can Watch the UFC

Next up, you’re probably wondering how to watch UFC. The good news for anyone who’s ever asked “where can I watch UFC?” is that there are plenty of different options and so you’re sure to find something that works for you. 

The biggest fights are usually available via Pay-Per-View, while weekly events are typically available through regional broadcasters and online live streaming platforms. If you’re based in the US (or if you have access to a VPN), the best option is usually to go with ESPN+, which offers everything from live broadcasts to on-demand catchups and even access to some PPVs thanks to their partnership with the UFC.

Internationally, how to watch UFC varies from one country to another, but DAZN Ireland is always a safe bet for Irish viewers, and TNT Sports is another option. If you’re still wondering where can I watch UFC, one other major option is to take out a subscription to UFC Fight Pass, which provides global subscriptions and offers full event replays and access to a bunch of stuff you can’t find anywhere else.

Irish UFC Fighters

The Pioneers of the Early Days

The UFC has been linked with Ireland ever since the early days, with a handful of early Irish UFC fighters helping to set the stage for the years to come. This list of pioneer fighters starts out with Tom Egan, who made history as the first Irishman to fight when he took part in UFC Dublin in 2009. Stevie Lynch and Neil Seery soon followed, going on to achieve greatness despite limited success in their early days.

It’s often said that these Irish fighters wouldn’t have been able to achieve the success they did without Straight Blast Gym (SBG), an Irish gym that provided high quality training and modern coaching. Headed by coach John Kavanagh, SBG provided the foundation for the fighters to build on, acting as a signal that Ireland was about to emerge as one of the most respected international forces in global MMA.

Conor McGregor: The Notorious Irish Export

If you’re interested in the UFC, then you’ve probably already heard of Conor McGregor. The Irish MMA icon, who’s nicknamed “The Notorious,” provides us with a true fairy tale thanks to his rise from unknown Irish fighter to two-division champion.

Conor McGregor trained at Straight Blast Gym before joining the UFC in 2013 and going on to set PPV records thanks to his explosive power and contagious confidence both in-ring and out. In 2015, he won the featherweight title in just 13 seconds after defeating José Aldo, and the following year saw him take down Eddie Alvarez to become the first fighter to hold the championship in two weight divisions at the same time.

Throughout the years, McGregor has broken sales records by headlining some of the biggest pay-per-views in history, and he’s also had an impact on popular culture and become a mainstream star outside the ring. It’s arguably McGregor who’s had the biggest impact on turning the UFC into a global phenomenon, and he’s done more for the sport in Ireland than any other fighter. 

The Latest Generation of UFC Fighters

Today’s UFC roster is looking healthier than ever, thanks to fighters like Paddy Pimblett and Jack Della Maddalena, as well as Ireland’s own Ian Garry, who’s one of the most promising talents in Ireland and throughout the world. 

Garry is a true product of Irish MMA culture, and he’s known for his clean fighting style, his confidence and his ability to think on his feet and to adapt to the ever-changing conditions inside the octagon. He takes the best parts of McGregor’s style and puts his own spin on it, making him one to watch as he pursues the highest titles in Irish MMA.

It could be argued that today’s Irish fighters aren’t on the same level as McGregor’s generation, but the truth is that they’re just up against greater competition. One thing’s for sure, and that’s that Ireland will continue to play a key role in the development of MMA and the UFC, driven by the country’s already rich history.

UFC Fights in Ireland

The UFC is no stranger to hosting events in Ireland, with both Dublin and Belfast acting as hubs for the organization. UFC Dublin has hosted a number of UFC Fight Nights at the 3Arena, with UFC Fight Night 36 in 2014 kicking off a long series of UFC Dublin events. Meanwhile, the SSE Arena in Belfast has been hosting bouts since 2015. 

Both venues have played an important role in Irish fan engagement, welcoming sell-out crowds and acting as the stage for a number of iconic UFC fights. They’ve also helped to boost tourism and bring money into both cities, as well as putting them on the map for MMA fans around the world.

There’s nothing quite like an Irish UFC event, with fans chanting names and stamping their feet so loudly that it can feel as though the roof’s about to come down. And while there’s no official word on the promotion returning to Ireland any time soon, the organisation’s leadership teams have made it clear that they’d love to come back.

The Future of Ireland and the UFC

As you’ve learned throughout this article, Ireland and the UFC have become interlinked, and it’s clear that the country will continue to play an important role in UFC growth for the years to come. The European market is a key market for the organisation, and Ireland could well provide them with a gateway to success in the region.

Meanwhile, the Irish MMA future is looking good thanks to its pipeline of upcoming champions and talented fighters, and as long as the country keeps birthing new fighters, the UFC will keep returning and propelling those fighters to the top of the international MMA scene.

One thing’s for sure when it comes to Ireland and the UFC. It’s an exciting time to be a viewer and an even more exciting time to be a fighter. It’ll be fascinating to see what happens in the years to come.