Mixed martial arts in Mexico

Mixed martial arts in Mexico has become very popular in the 2000s, being one of the fastest growing sports in that country.

Mixed martial arts in Mexico
CountryMexico
Governing bodyFederación de Artes Marciales Mixtas Equidad y Juego Limpio (FAMMEJL)[1]
National team(s)Mexico

History

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Traditional martial arts, from national ones such as lucha tarahumara (Tarahumara wrestling)[2] to those from other places such as judo, have shaped MMA in Mexico, along with other combat sports such as boxing and taekwondo, in which the country has stood out considerably.[3][4]

In November 2014, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) would hold its first event on Mexican soil with UFC 180 at the Mexico City Arena.[5] Tickets were sold out in just 8 hours, which is a record for the venue.[6][7]

Organizations

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The major MMA organizations in Mexico are LUX Fight League,[8] Ultimate Warrior Challenge[9] and Budo Sento Championship.[10]

At the amateur level, The Federation of Mixed Martial Arts Equity and Fair Play, or Federación de Artes Marciales Mixtas Equidad y Juego Limpio, is the main governing body for the sport of MMA and the promotion of the sport in Mexico,[1] supported and recognized by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF). Its current president is Ubaldo Marroquin.[11]

Television

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The UFC is the most widely watched organization, and its events are broadcast live on Fox Sports at cable television; and also for the UFC Fight Pass streaming service.[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Federación de Artes Marciales Mixtas Equidad y Juego Limpio". famm.com.mx.
  2. ^ "El ritual de la lucha cuerpo a cuerpo". El Economista. 2010-11-24. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  3. ^ "Historia de nuestro boxeo". www.elsiglodedurango.com.mx (in Spanish). 2018-01-14. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  4. ^ "Moon Dai-won: father of Mexican taekwondo". Korea Times. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  5. ^ Staff (2014-04-29). "Viva Mexico – The UFC and TUF head South". ufc.com. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  6. ^ "UFC 180 draws reported 21,000 fans, sets Mexico City Arena gate record". MMAjunkie.com. 2014-11-16.
  7. ^ Kevin Iole. "UFC 180 in Mexico City needs just eight hours to sell all 21,000 tickets". Sports Yahoo. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  8. ^ "Las artes marciales mixtas de LUX Fight League latinoamericana llegan a Ubeat". The Daily Television. 2023-03-17. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  9. ^ "Ultimate Warrior Challenge". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  10. ^ Alcantará, Faustino (2023-06-11). "¿Cómo surgió Budo Sento Championship? Iván Macías explica la idea que cambió las MMA en México". El Heraldo Deportes. Retrieved 2024-02-02.
  11. ^ "National Federations - IMMAF".
  12. ^ Guirado, Heliana (2023-05-03). "¿Dónde ver la UFC en vivo, TV y streaming en México?". Fansided. Retrieved 2024-02-02.