Mixed Martial Arts goes mainstream

In the ring – or Octagon – MMA, with roots in Ancient Greece but as modern as short attention spans, exploded. Since the Ultimate Fighting Championship arrived in 1993, the sport has popularized men such as Kimbo Slice, Chuck Liddell, and Randy Couture. In 2001, UFC sold for $2 million and, according to Forbes magazine, had the power to generate $250 million in revenue by 2008.

Another example of MMA growth: UFC.com says The Ultimate Fighter on Spike TV averaged 3.4 million viewers this fall, 72% above the average audience for the first 14 weeks of the NBA on TNT.

By John Locherm Las Vegas Review-Journal via AP

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/decade-breakouts.htm