April - 2016
SCRAPP! FIGHT MAGAZINE
34
BAMMA
AN INSIDE LOOK AT EUROPE’S LEADING MMA PROMOTION
Article By: Melissa Ingram - Photo Credit BAMMA
Numerous MMA promotions in the US and
abroad have tried to carve their niche’ in
a sport dominated by the Ultimate Fight-
ing Championship (UFC). Many have found
success, but only a select few have proven
they have staying power.
Bellator Fighting Championships and World
Series of Fighting (WSOF) are among the
few North American promotions that have
established longevity by successfully secur-
ing their own audience, despite the UFC’s
domestic (and global) dominance. The
same can be said for Asian promotions One
Championship and Pancrase, but when it
comes to European promotions there is only
one - The British Association of Mixed Mar-
tial Arts (BAMMA).
BAMMA has been able to achieve what
other promotions in Europe could not, long-
term success.
London based Cage Warriors Fighting
Championship (CWFC) experienced success
for a time, but abruptly ceased operations
in early 2015. They are now trying to mount
a comeback after a year-and-a-half hiatus.
BAMMA on the other hand remains con-
sistent and has proven to be a mainstay in
European MMA.
The UK-based fight promotion was
launched in 2009 with the aim of delivering
Mixed Martial Arts events that fully capture
the entertainment and sporting prowess on
display in the world’s fastest growing sport.
BAMMA’s combination of arena sized ven-
ues, compelling fight cards and exceptional
production values has led to their unrivaled
position as Europe’s leading MMA promo-
tion and has landed them multiple TV deals.
In 2011 BAMMA signed a broadcast deal
with SyFY and became the first MMA orga-
nization in the UK to deliver live coverage
on a non-subscription channel. Fast forward
to 2016 and BAMMA events air live on
Spike TV in the UK and Ireland, The Fight
Network in Canada, TV Esporte Interativo
in Brazil, KIX in Asia, Red Media in Russia,
Setanta in Africa, TDN in Latin America and
Pride TV One in Indonesia.
The organization has quickly become a
springboard for top-ranked European fight-
ers looking to fight on the big stage, as a
large percentage of BAMMA fighters end
up in the UFC. Currently over 75% of the
regions ranked fighters are on BAMMA’s
roster.
Scrapp! Fight Magazine recently caught up
with BAMMA executive Matt Bourne to dis-
cuss the organizations success.
