At its core, martial arts is about respect and hard work. But yes… it also involves a lot of money. Some martial arts have grown so big that they’re almost more of a business than a sport. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing—it helps the sport continue to grow, allows fighters to make a good living, and gives us fans great shows to watch.
We’ve listed the top 5 most commercial martial arts for you, with a wink but also taking them seriously.
1. MMA (especially thanks to the UFC) – the absolute blockbuster
MMA is now the sport that steals the show everywhere. Turn on the UFC and you immediately see why: big names, big mouths, and even bigger fights. Think of McGregor insulting everyone and Khabib being totally unimpressed by it.
Why is it commercial?
- Anything goes: standing, on the ground, knees, elbows—MMA is simply complete.
- The spectacle, marketing, and global interest: the UFC sells stories just as aggressively as it sells fights.
- Money, lots of money: pay-per-views have been flying off the shelves for years.
- MMA is the complete package that gets both fans and sponsors excited.
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2. Boxing – the classic that never goes away
Boxing may well be the first martial art to become truly commercial. From Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson to Tyson Fury and Jake Paul—boxing has a rich history and a stable future.
Why is it commercial?
- The history: boxing is part of the collective memory of many martial arts enthusiasts.
- The promotion of mega-events, such as Mayweather vs. McGregor.
- Sponsorship deals and promoters: boxing promoters know how to sell an event.
- Boxing feels familiar and remains a global fan favorite.
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3. Kickboxing – the Netherlands and Japan take center stage
Kickboxing may be less global than MMA or boxing, but here in the Netherlands (and in Japan too, for that matter), it is huge. Rico Verhoeven and Badr Hari are such major stars in the kickboxing world that their fame in countries like Japan may even be greater than it is here in the Netherlands.
Why is it commercial?
- Hero culture: many people (especially Dutch people) see Rico almost as a national sports hero.
- Good marketing: organizations such as GLORY and K-1 make excellent use of this.
- An appealing sport for sponsors because of its tough and hard-hitting image.
- In some countries, it is even the most popular martial art there is.
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4. Pro wrestling (WWE) – yes, scripted, but still a multimillion-dollar business
Okay, haters may not call this a "real" martial art. But hey, try performing those stunts yourself without breaking something. WWE is entertainment, but commercially speaking, it may well be the biggest and best of them all.
Why is it commercial?
- Storytelling: drama, rivalry, and spectacle.
- Merchandising: shirts, action figures, games—WWE sells it all.
- A global audience: from America to India, WWE is everywhere.
5. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – the quiet grower
Compared with the rest, BJJ still seems small, but don’t underestimate it. With tournaments such as ADCC and more and more gyms around the world, it is slowly becoming a commercial player.
Why is it commercial?
- The sense of community: BJJ is more than a sport. People call it a lifestyle.
- Merch and gear: brands such as Shoyoroll turn a gi into almost a collector’s item.
- Streaming and tournaments: grappling events are becoming 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, commercialism and martial arts simply go hand in hand. It creates packed arenas, roaring fans, and fighters who finally get 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 it at all.
