For decades, boxing was the dominant combat sport as fighters like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Evander Holyfield became household names. In recent years, MMA has caught up to the sweet science with Alex Pereira, Dustin Poirier, and Conor McGregor joining Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua as fighters who can headline cards that sell out arenas and get a million pay-per-view buys.
Even professional wrestling—long derided as sports entertainment because it is scripted—has grown more formidable over the past decade. The 2019 addition of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) provided World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with its first true rival since WWE purchased World Championship Wrestling in 2001.
With all three categories becoming more mainstream, MMA, boxing, and wrestling promotions are all fighting for much of the same audience and have been making a dash for cash to fuel growth. With the fight game getting bigger and the top promotions drawing real capital, the combat sports industry has become a winner’s game, as competitive outside the ring (or Octagon) as it is once the bell rings.
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2moagain, wrestler athlete of the week ? what about wrestler of the year 🤷🏻♂️ she won Olympic🥇 not high school tournament. USA wresting plz be more generous with your athletes it is hands down the toughest more intense sport in the world 🙌🏼 congratulations Sarah