What's the Difference Between UFC and MMA?

UFC and MMA are two acronyms that refer to two very different things in the martial arts world. UFC refers to Ultimate Fighting Championship, an American mixed martial arts promotion. MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts, and refers to the internationally-recognised sport itself.Are MMA and UFC the same thing?

Not at all. MMA and the UFC refer to completely different things, but the close connection between them often lead people that aren’t familiar with the combat sport to use both abbreviations interchangeably.

MMA is to UFC like Australian Football is to the AFL — the former is a sport, while the latter is an organisation around the sport.

MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts, a fighting or combat sport much like boxing where two athletes go head-to-head and try to overcome one another with various martial arts techniques.

The UFC, Ultimate Fighting Championship, is a company that promotes and organises MMA fights and events. The UFC is the largest and most prominent MMA promotion company internationally, but there are also other MMA organisations around the world that do the same, albeit at a much smaller, local scale.

Explaining the sport of MMA

MMA is a combat sport that involves the use of various distinct styles and techniques from martial arts including Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, wrestling, and Wing Chun.

The sport of MMA was first established by the UFC back in 1980, with the initial fights seeing fighters experienced in different martial arts styles competing against each other. Over time, mixed martial arts competitors began weaving in techniques from different types of martial arts to complement their prowess — this led to the creation of MMA as a sport of its own that features the best aspects of multiple martial arts disciplines.

About the UFC

Based in the USA, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is the biggest mixed martial arts promotion company in the world. The UFC is considered by enthusiasts and practitioners to be the highest echelon of MMA fighting, with many of the world’s top MMA fighters competing in UFC events.

The UFC has a huge roster of 2,777 fighters (as of Nov 2024) — 257 women, and 2,520 men. Both male and female fighters compete in the UFC championship according to their gender and weight class. Men fighting classes start from flyweight (57kg) to heavyweight (120kg limit), while women fighting classes start at strawweight (52kg) to featherweight (66kg).

Which other companies promote MMA fights in Australia?

Though the UFC remains the most renowned MMA organisation in Australia, there are some local MMA promoters with a sizable following of fans and fighters.

Eternal MMA

Eternal MMA is Australia’s biggest MMA promoter that differentiates itself on the basis of hosting no-gimmick fight events that are organised by professional fighters, for fighters. Eternal MMA has garnered such an official reputation in Australia that main events are broadcast on UFC Fight Pass. 

Starting from one show in 2012, Eternal MMA has since grown to be able to host ten martial arts matches every year. Eternal MMA events have also included appearances from many exciting fighters such as former Eternal Strawweight champion Casey O’Neill, who scored her first UFC win in February 2021.

Hex Fighting Series 

The Hex Fighting Series is based in the Melbourne Pavillion at Flemington Raceway, and is a growing martial arts promoter with a history of 11 amateur fight events and 20 matches between professional fighters. In fact, 12 of these professional fighters made the transition to the UFC! The Hex Fighting Series gives ample opportunity to amateurs looking to become professional fighters through their “Path to Hex” series.

Do all MMA practitioners train to compete?

No. While it certainly is the dream of some to compete, especially in esteemed UFC championships, many MMA practitioners take up martial arts training as a way to get fit, hone their self-discipline, or simply have fun. MMA training in Australia is open to adults, teens, and kids from as old as 6 years of age.

At UMF Academy, our MMA training program is based on a structured curriculum to provide real, progressive learning for aspiring MMA practitioners. If you are looking to start MMA training in Townsville, get in touch with us today to book your first class with us.