Are MMA and the UFC the Same Thing? Nope, and Here’s Why

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Learn the difference between MMA and the UFC

Co-authored by John Graden and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: July 17, 2025 Fact Checked

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MMA vs. UFC

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What is MMA?

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What is UFC?

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In the world of fighting sports, MMA and the UFC are almost synonymous. But what’s the difference between them? If you aren’t sure, you’re not alone. Millions of people are fans of both, and thousands of talented fighters from around the world have fought to become MMA and UFC champions. We’ve put together a simple guide to explain the differences and overlaps between MMA and the UFC. Read on, and we promise you’ll never mix them up again.

MMA vs. UFC: Quick Breakdown

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a sports company that promotes MMA matches.
MMA incorporates a mix of combat sports and martial arts, including boxing, karate, Muay Thai, taekwondo, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and wrestling.
MMA fighters compete in matches, like boxers. To win, a fighter must punch, kick, and wrestle their opponent into submission or unconsciousness.
The UFC is considered the “big leagues” of MMA. Fighters from around the world train and compete for a chance to fight in the UFC.

Section 1 of 3:

What’s the difference between MMA and UFC?

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MMA is a type of combat sport, while the UFC is a sports company. MMA, short for “Mixed Martial Arts,” combines boxing, judo, jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and other full-contact fighting sports.^{[1]
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Research source} The United Fighting Championship, better known as the UFC, is a company that promotes MMA. The UFC hosts matches where professional MMA fighters compete with each other, just like boxers and wrestlers do for their sports.^{[2]
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- In other words, MMA is to the UFC what basketball is to the NBA. The former is a sport, and the latter is an organization that promotes that sport.
- There are many MMA companies in the world, but the UFC is the largest and most famous.^{[3]
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Section 2 of 3:

What is Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)?

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Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a popular full-contact fighting sport. As the name suggests, the sport incorporates a “mix” of various martial arts disciplines. Fighters are sorted by weight class and compete in an octagon—a space similar to a boxing ring—where they punch, kick, and wrestle their opponents into submission or unconsciousness.^{[4]
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- The term “Mixed Martial Arts” originated from a 1993 article written about UFC 1, the first official MMA event held by the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).^{[5]
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- Though the term “MMA” is recent, the sport itself dates back to Ancient Greece, where athletes would compete in matches using various hand-to-hand combat techniques. Back then, the only “illegal” moves were biting and eye-gouging. Anything else was allowed.^{[6]
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- Today, there are dozens of rules governing what MMA fighters can and cannot do in the ring. For instance, strikes to the spine, throat, and back of the head aren’t allowed. These rules have been put in place to prevent serious injuries—or worse.
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MMA fighters train in multiple fighting disciplines. To perfect their striking and kicks, MMA fighters train in boxing, karate, Muay Thai, and taekwondo, among other styles. For grappling and ground fighting, they learn judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and multiple varieties of wrestling. They also practice strength and cardiovascular training to maximize their overall fitness.^{[7]
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- This combination of fighting styles makes MMA an exciting and unpredictable sport. Each individual fighter brings unique skills and specialties to the ring.
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An MMA match is won with a tap-out, knockout, or decision. Knockouts occur when a fighter knocks their opponent unconscious (or close to it). Tap-outs happen when a fighter puts an opponent in a headlock or chokehold. And finally, a decision is used when a fight doesn’t end after multiple rounds, so a panel of judges decides the winner based on which fighter landed more kicks and punches, or which one spent the most time “dominating” their opponent.^{[8]
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- “Technical knockouts” can also happen, where a referee will end a match when a fighter is still standing but unable to defend themself due to injuries. A technical knockout still counts as a win.
- Matches can end in other ways, including “stoppages” due to medical problems or critical injuries. But these endings don’t always result in a winner.

Section 3 of 3:

What is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)?

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship is a major MMA brand. The UFC hosts hundreds of MMA matches every year at venues all over the world. Multiple matches are grouped into “UFC Events,” which are then broadcast live on Pay Per View in the United States and on multiple international television networks.^{[9]
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- UFC Events have been watched by millions of people worldwide.
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The best MMA fighters often compete in the UFC. The UFC is considered the “big leagues” of MMA. Fighters from around the world train and compete for an opportunity to fight in the UFC. The majority of fighters don’t earn a lot of money, but the most successful ones are paid millions for a single match.^{[10]
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- There are currently 3,022 fighters on the UFC’s roster: 292 women and 2,730 men.^{[11]
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  Research source} Male and female fighters compete for UFC championship titles according to their gender and weight class.
- Though UFC dominates the sport, there are many smaller MMA organizations around the world. Other companies include Invicta (from the USA), Pancrase (from Japan), and Caged Steel (based in the UK).
- Before being signed by the UFC, Conor McGregor started his career with the Irish MMA company Cage Warriors.^{[12]
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The UFC is a booming business. The UFC was once valued at $12.1 billion, but that number has only continued to grow. In September 2023, the UFC merged with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to create TKO Group Holdings (TKO). The two combined create a $21.4 billion sports entertainment company that continues to make strides.^{[13]
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- The merge with WWE was the third time the UFC changed ownership, previously sold to Endeavor in 2016.^{[14]
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