7 Ways Pro Wrestling Shaped Modern MMA

7. The Promo

While 'cutting a promo' has been part of pro wrestling's landscape for as long as we can remember, fighters like Chael Sonnen and Conor McGregor have revolutionised MMA by using this as a tool to increase their star power. It has shot them up the card, and simultaneously caused a paradigm shift within the sport.

Gone are the days of fighters earning title shots through hard work and dedication alone. Some have blamed the likes of Sonnen and Colby Covington for talking themselves into the main event, rather than fighting for it. Along with that, the sport has shifted its focus from pure martial arts, to being more entertaining and exciting to watch.

Much to the chagrin of the purists, most fans tend to enjoy MMA more because of this. Fighters are encouraged to be themselves, to talk more and to be the larger than life characters we want them to be. Taking a page out of pro wrestling's book has made the sport more relatable and fun to follow.

Fighting is still fighting though. Those who talk a good game, must still back it up if they are to achieve success in the sport.