8 Most Powerful People In MMA
Who really controls the fight game?
To say MMA had a big year in 2016 would be a gross understatement. Mixed martial arts had a huge year over the past twelve months, starting with the emergence of Conor McGregor as a mainstream superstar, elevated by the billion dollar sale of the UFC, and capped off with the sport at long last being legalized in New York.
Oh, and there were the little matters of McGregor capturing his second title in the UFC, and the return of Ronda Rousey, perhaps for the last time.
Yes, MMA broke out big time in 2016, but with all the milestones the sport established, one of the big questions became just who was running the show. Who really has power in the sport at this point? Who controls the future of what is a relatively young field?
The UFC, of course, is the biggest player, highlighted by the fact that it sold to WME-IMG for $4.2 billion U.S. last Summer, but there are other powerful figures in the sport as well: athletes, media figures, owners, some behind the scenes, and some out front in the spotlight.
Lets take a look now at eight of the most powerful people in the sport today - the names might just surprise you!
8. Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan is "just a commentator" the same way Walter Cronkite was "just a news anchor." While we won't go so far as to say that Rogan is the most trusted man in America, he probably is one of the most trusted in MMA. His influence over MMA fans is undeniable, and he is directly responsible for helping educate many fans on the finer aspects of the sport.
Of course, many know Rogan from his stand-up comedy, the sitcom Newsradio, or his gig hosting Fear Factor, but he has been working for the UFC for years - through three separate ownership groups, in fact. He got his start at UFC 12 as an interviewer in 1997, then jumped to the color commentator spot in 2002. He has been the top color man in the game ever since, adding insight to fight after fight and having the ability to walk fans through various fight disciplines like no other.
In recent years he has also hosted a hugely successful podcast. Now, Rogan may not have direct power - he can't sign a fighter to the UFC, he's not a billionaire - but he can influence the entire UFC fanbase. That's power money cannot buy.