UFC Surges to Top as Most Valuable Combat Sport Promotion in 2024, Boxing Fighter Pay Remains Contentious Issue

In recent years, combat sports have become increasingly popular, with MMA and professional wrestling surpassing boxing as the most profitable sectors. According to Mike Ozanian and Justin Teitelbaum of Forbes, the UFC leads the way as the most valuable combat sports promotion in 2024, valued at $11.3 billion. This growth is evident in the monumental increase in value from when the Fertitta brothers bought the UFC for $2 million in 2001 and sold it for $4 billion to Endeavor in 2016, resulting in a 72 percent annual return on investment during their ownership.

Just under a year ago, the UFC and WWE joined forces under the name TKO Holdings as one IPO. With media rights revenues exceeding $800 million for both companies, they topped the list compiled by Ozanian and Teitelbaum, surpassing the combined revenue of all other promotions. Among boxing promotions, Matchroom Boxing emerged as the most valuable at $850 million, followed by Top Rank Boxing, Premier Boxing Championship, and Golden Boy Promotions.

While boxer pay remains a contentious issue and no MMA fighters made it onto Forbes’ 2023 list of highest-paid athletes, there has been a recent settlement requiring the UFC to pay $335 million to former fighters alleging pay restrictions. This move aims to address disparities between MMA and boxing fighter pay and improve conditions for fighters in both sports.