Ranking the all-time GOAT Promotions (Outside of UFC and PRIDE)

[Lionheart7167]

Outside of the UFC and PRIDE, how would you rank the rest of the promotions historically? I'm talking about legacy, influence, affluence, etc.

Here's mine.

1. Strikeforce- Produced some of the the greatest fights, champions and an amazing HW tourney, before folding into the UFC
2. Bellator- Slightly behind Strikeforce, as I don't think the influence or fights were as captivating
3. WEC- The first organization that really showcased lower weight class talent on the main stage. Produced great smaller fighters
4. King of the Cage- Controversial choice probably, but it's been around forever and has acted as a huge feeder organization. The list of talent that came from KOTC is amazing
5. Dream- The PRIDE follow up. Not nearly as important but still a great organization with great fighters
6. EliteXC- Only including this one bc. of impact. It was short lived but produced Kimbo, a record setting audience for mainstream television and was (i believe) the first broadcast on a major network
7. Affliction- Only two shows, but still stands as legendary for who fought. There was a moment in time where it seemed like it would be huge
8. RIZIN- Mainly here for longevity, keeping Japanese MMA alive. You could argue Sengoku but that organization didn't last too long
9. PFL/WSOF- Now the second biggest organization
10. ONE- I know this one's controversial as they probably have the biggest global footprint, but I don't know how much of an impact they've had outside of very specific markets. Some people might have this as number 2 or 3.
11. KSW- Poland's premier organization. MMA is huge here.
12. M-1 Global- For many years the leader in Russian MMA

 

[HUGHPHUG]

No Shooto no tiki

 

[HUGHPHUG]

M1 was more than just the Russian outfit it is now, it was Europe's premier MMA organization for years - they put on some awesome events, country vs country style

If Dream is in there then Hero's should be in there.

KOTC should be there, it was basically a breeding ground for the UFC long before TUF was a thing

Earlier promotions like IFC, Extreme Challenge, Rings & IVC for their importance and birth of greatness

Fuck you for not mentioning Cage Rage

 

[TheBrownRanger]

Strikeforce
WEC
Bellator
PFL
ONE
DREAM
EliteXC
Sengoku Raiden Championships
RIZIN
IVC

 

[STAY GOLD]

HERO’S, Rio Heroes and Shooto are the next top organizations after the UFC and PRIDE.

 

[Royce Greasy]

For me it would have to be early IFC the eight man tournaments in the NHB era really great time.

 

[Bobby Boulders]

M1 was more than just the Russian outfit it is now, it was Europe's premier MMA organization for years - they put on some awesome events, country vs country style

If Dream is in there then Hero's should be in there.

KOTC should be there, it was basically a breeding ground for the UFC long before TUF was a thing

Earlier promotions like IFC, Extreme Challenge, Rings & IVC for their importance and birth of greatness

Fuck you for not mentioning Cage Rage

Sengoku should be in, too, imo

 

[Hellowhosthat]

For me

1. WEC
2. Strikeforce
3. Bellator
4. LFA
5. KSW
6. RIZIN
7. ACA/B
8. ONE
9. Cage Warriors

 

[STAY GOLD]

If it's about legacy and influence, Pancrase has got to be in the top 5.

 

[Lycandroid]

Bellator
Strikeforce
WEC
Dream
Heroes
Sengoku
One
PFL
MFC

 

[jeskola]

Don't forget IFL. Roy Nelson, Ben Rothwell, Bart Palaszewski, Jake Ellenburger, Ryan Schultz, Chris Horodecki, and many more

 

[Buffmeister]

SUPERBRAWL / ICON

watched every event on fight pass and had a blast!

From the Lex Luger looking Ref...just looking on


To Mayhem beating all the hometown guys

Trigg soccer kicking the crap out of Mayhem

To Lawler allmost killing Trigg

Lawler getting Attacken by a women after putting out Vitale

War between Baroni and Kala Hose

 

[Royce Greasy]

For best fighter roster

1. Strikeforce
2. Bellator
3. WEC
4. Rizin(2015-2019)
5. One

Most important
1. Shooto
2. Pancrase
3. IFC
4. M1, Absolute fighting etc
5. IVC WVC, Universal Vale Tudo etc.





Personal favorite
1. Affliction(would have been epic had it lasted, stacked cards)
2.IFC, WEF (lots of 8 man tournaments with NHB rules plus early big name fighters)
3. Strikeforce/Elite XC(While it lasted)
4. Dream/Sengoku(While not as good as Pride was still very thankful for this) 5. Superbrawl/ Rumble on the rock(Once again tournaments and big name fighters created some epic moments like Penn vs Gomi etc.)