The concern that Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) might eventually resemble boxing’s recent trend of spectacle-driven, “freak show” matchmaking is no longer a future worry – it’s a present reality. This shift isn’t happening uniformly or all at once, but the signs are undeniable.
Boxing has openly embraced this approach. The December 2025 Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight, a crossover mismatch that would have seemed outlandish just a few years ago, was a massive streaming event that captivated 33 million global viewers on Netflix. Now, Oleksandr Usyk is slated to defend his WBC heavyweight title against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in May at the Pyramids of Giza – a booking that modern boxing, surprisingly, treats as valuable rather than as something to be embarrassed about.
However, MMA has never been as “pure” as some may recall. The early days of the UFC were characterized by chaotic, style-versus-style matchups with few rules, limited weight classes, and a “freak show” energy that the polished modern product often pretends to have moved beyond. Fedor Emelianenko vs. Hong Man Choi serves as a prime example of the entertaining, spectacle-driven side of that era. Therefore, this isn’t an external corruption of an untarnished sport; “freak show” matchmaking is an intrinsic part of MMA’s history.
The Evolving Business Model
What has changed is the surrounding business climate. Previously, this impulse was largely confined to the fringes, appearing in PRIDE curiosities, Bellator’s nostalgic matchups, or occasional hybrid-rules experiments. Now, the incentives are greater, platforms are more expansive, and the available talent for such bookings possesses far greater commercial appeal. The most striking illustration of this is Ronda Rousey’s anticipated return to MMA this May to face Gina Carano, headlining Netflix’s inaugural live MMA broadcast for Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. By March, the card also included Francis Ngannou vs. Philipe Lins and Nate Diaz’s MMA comeback. This behavior clearly indicates an industry focused on *creating* spectacle, not avoiding it.
Stripping away the corporate jargon, the underlying logic is evident: a promoter’s primary objective is not to preserve the sport’s integrity, but often the opposite. Their goal is to generate revenue. In this context, combat sports matchmaking can resemble someone playing online casino slots, hoping for the right combination of symbols to hit the jackpot. Rousey, Carano, Netflix, Ngannou, Diaz, Perry – by lining up enough recognizable names, the expectation is that the lights will flash and the winnings will follow. The goal isn’t necessarily the purest sporting contest, but the combination most likely to yield financial success. Boxing has become comfortable articulating this openly, and MMA is increasingly adopting a similar “casino mentality,” particularly outside of the UFC.
Reasons for the UFC to Resist
This doesn’t mean the entire sport is doomed to become a traveling circus. The UFC’s success hinges on promoting legitimacy, rankings, title contention, and the progression of athletes. While Dana White may criticize boxing promoters as “rinky-dink,” his very criticism highlights the UFC’s strategic positioning as a cleaner, more coherent alternative to a boxing market that readily bounces between bizarre paydays. A promotion that built its brand on sporting order is unlikely to transform the Octagon into a permanent venue for novelty acts, not due to moral superiority, but because its brand identity is founded on a different kind of control.
The challenge lies in the fact that MMA is not solely defined by the UFC. This is where the “destined” aspect of the question becomes relevant. ONE Championship has already experimented with mixed-rules bouts, such as Demetrious Johnson vs. Rodtang, which many viewed as a return to the sport’s original experimental spirit rather than a new gimmick. KSW fully embraced spectacle when Eddie Hall defeated Mariusz Pudzianowski in just 30 seconds last year. The demand for such absurdity was so strong that Hall immediately expressed interest in fighting “freaks of the world” rather than pursuing traditional rankings. Honestly assessing the market reveals a clear and willing audience for these types of events.
Fans Are Also Part of the Equation
Therefore, the pertinent question isn’t *whether* MMA will feature “freak show” fights – it always has. The real question is who controls the proportion of the calendar dedicated to them. If the UFC maintains discipline, it can likely keep the mainstream top tier of the sport looking more like a sport than a stunt. However, if blockbuster cards on platforms like Netflix continue to achieve significant viewership, if Jake Paul’s promotional influence extends further into MMA, and if rival promotions discover they can gain attention more rapidly through celebrity collisions than by nurturing genuine contenders, the edges of the sport will inevitably become stranger, louder, and more akin to boxing.
This evolution may not be entirely negative. Combat sports have always possessed a “side-show” element. Fans are not blameless in this dynamic. They may complain about “freak show” fights, but as soon as a trailer drops, discussions ignite about whether an aging legend can still perform, if the underdog has a puncher’s chance, if the giant will tire, or if the boxer can defend against takedowns. This all ties into the perennial “what if?” question, which sells almost as reliably as a title fight, and explains why these events persist.
The Obvious Jackpot
So, no, MMA is not necessarily destined to become a complete replica of boxing. However, significant portions of it are absolutely poised to adopt boxing’s current playbook due to the substantial financial incentives, the voracious appetite of various platforms, and the marketability of available talent. The only remaining debate is the extent to which the sport will be drawn into this orbit and the speed of that transition. Boxing has already demonstrated the consequences when promoters prioritize the “jackpot” over the purity of the lineup. MMA may not be at that point yet, but it’s close enough to hear the slot machine reels spinning.
