By Ariel Helwani
November 12, 2009
Back to Nominees
The World MMA Awards will air live on Versus.com on Dec. 30, and leading up to that date, we will be breaking down each category.
Today: Best Promotion
Here’s the problem with this award: each organization nominated offers something completely different and unique.
UFC – The undisputed king of MMA. No one can (or probably will) touch them for the foreseeable future. They are the MMA equivalent of the NFL, the NBA, MLB and the NHL all rolled into one. So naturally, they should win this award every single year until something drastically changes.
WEC – They are the UFC’s sister organization, but nothing like big brother. At the moment, WEC only has three weigh classes – two of which (145 and 135) are not featured in the UFC. They offer fast-paced fights for free on Versus and consistently present exciting match-ups.
DREAM – Born from the ashes of deceased PRIDE FC, DREAM is currently the leading organization in Japan, and has done a good enough of job of taking over where PRIDE left off since their first show in March 2008. If you are a fan of fights contested in rings instead of cages, elaborate entrances, and the occasional freak show fight, DREAM is the place for you.
Strikeforce – Strikeforce first started promoting MMA events in 2006, but have only really become a major player in 2009. That’s when the organization purchased 42 fighter contracts from the ill-fated EliteXC promotion, and since then, Strikeforce landed a television contract with Showtime and CBS. The main thing Strikeforce has going for them that UFC/WEC/DREAM don’t are women’s fights.
Bellator FC – The new kid on the block. Bellator held it’s first event this past April, and held 11 more in the 12 weeks that followed. After a holding a tournament to crown four new champions, Bellator will return for a second season in April after recently securing a new television deal with FOX Sports Net, NBC Universal and Telemundo. I wish they would get rid of the hokey tournaments because their fights can sell themselves. Sometimes less is more.
So there you have it. Five solid organizations that offer five different concepts. That’s the beauty of MMA: there’s something for everyone.
Vote wisely at http://worldmmaawards.com.
