Martial arts are fundamentally about respect and hard work. But yes… there’s also a lot of money involved. Some martial arts have grown so big that they are almost more business than sport. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing – it ensures the sport keeps growing, that fighters can make a good living, and that we as fans get to see amazing shows.
We’ve listed the top 5 most commercial martial arts for you, with a wink but also seriously.
1. MMA (mainly because of the UFC) – the absolute blockbuster
MMA is now the sport that steals the show everywhere. Turn on the UFC and you’ll immediately see why: big names, big mouths, and even bigger fights. Think of McGregor trash-talking everyone and Khabib who was not having any of it.
Why commercial?
- Anything goes: standing, on the ground, knees, elbows – MMA is simply complete.
- The spectacle, marketing, and worldwide interest: the UFC sells stories just as hard as fights.
- Money, lots of money: pay-per-views have been flying off the shelves for years.
- MMA is the total package that excites both fans and sponsors.
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2. Boxing – the classic that never goes away
Boxing might be the first martial art to really become commercial. Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson. Tyson Fury to Jake Paul – boxing has a rich history and a stable future.
Why commercial?
- The history: boxing is ingrained in the collective memory of many martial arts fans.
- The promotion of mega-events, think: Mayweather vs. McGregor.
- Sponsorship deals and promoters: boxing promoters know how to sell an event.
- Boxing feels familiar and remains a worldwide crowd favorite.
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3. Kickboxing – the Netherlands and Japan in the spotlight
Kickboxing may be less global than MMA or boxing, but here in the Netherlands (and in Japan as well) it’s huge. Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari might even be bigger superstars there than here in the Netherlands.
Why commercial?
- Hero culture: Many people (especially Dutch) see Rico almost as a national sports hero.
- Good marketing: Organizations like GLORY and K-1 make great use of it.
- Interesting sport for sponsors due to its tough and hard image.
- Number 1 sport worldwide in many countries.
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4. Pro-wrestling (WWE) – yes, scripted, but a multimillion-dollar business
Okay, haters might say this isn’t a “real” martial art. But hey, try pulling off those stunts yourself without breaking something. WWE is entertainment, but commercially it might be the biggest and best of all.
Why commercial?
- Storytelling: drama, rivalry, and show.
- Merchandising.
- Worldwide audience: from America to India, WWE is everywhere.
5. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – the quiet grower
Compared to the rest, BJJ still seems small, but don’t underestimate it. With tournaments like ADCC and more gyms popping up worldwide, it’s slowly becoming a commercial player.
Why commercial?
- The community feeling: BJJ is more than a sport. People call it a lifestyle.
- Merch and gear: brands like Shoyoroll make a gi almost a collector’s item.
- Streaming and tournaments: grappling events are getting bigger and more professional.
Conclusion
Whether you look at the multimillion-dollar business of the UFC, the tradition of boxing, or the local heroes in kickboxing: commerce and martial arts just go hand in hand. It leads to packed arenas, roaring fans, and fighters finally getting paid what they deserve.
And honestly? As long as the sport itself doesn’t get lost in all that money, we secretly don’t mind at all.
