MMA experts, including former UFC fighters, discuss Mixed Martial Arts being added to the Olympic Games as fans countdown to Paris 2024.
The topic of MMA being added to the Olympic Games is one that’s brought up, unsurprisingly, every four years; and yet there’s still no real push to get the fastest-growing sport in the world, into the biggest sporting event in the world.
Now, as fans countdown to the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, let’s have a look at what some of the most famous names in MMA have had to say about the sports’ addition to the event.
Dana White argues MMA should be added to Olympics for the viewership
Back in June 2022, UFC President Dana White sat down with Laura Sanko for a virtual Q&A with fans, with the head of the promotion being asked what his thoughts were on having MMA added to the Olympic schedule.
“I think it should be an Olympic sport already,” argued White, explaining how whilst he wasn’t personally involved with the push to see it added, he would still like to see the sport featured in such a historic and momentous event.
“It’s not my job. It’s not what I’m looking to do. I’m not pushing to turn this thing into an Olympic sport. [But] I agree with whoever said that, yes [I’d like to see it added].”
Interestingly, White also noted that it should be the International Olympic Committee pushing for MMA to be introduced since global viewership has seen a dramatic decline in recent years.
“And not to mention the fact that one of the big problems the Olympics is having right now, is viewership… You want viewers? Put MMA in the Olympics.”
The 2008 Beijing Olympics held approximately 3.5 billion viewers, rising to 3.6 billion for the 2012 games in London – however, Rio in 2016 drew just 3.2 billion, with Tokyo 2020 seeing a further decline to 3.05 billion.
The clip of White talking about MMA at the Olympics can be found at the 8-minute mark.
Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen argue on MMA’s place at the Olympics
Whilst we’re not claiming that MMA would see those viewership figures return to 2008 or 2012 levels, it’s hard to argue that its introduction wouldn’t at least help boost ratings around the world – especially with the younger demographic that the UFC entertains each and every week.
Yet there are plenty of reasons why MMA shouldn’t, or rather couldn’t, be added into the Olympic Games as seamlessly as many assume – as Hall of Famers Daniel Cormier and Chael Sonnen explained on an episode of Good Guy/Bad Guy earlier this year.
When asked whether he thinks MMA will ever be in the Olympics, Sonnen argued against its introduction: “I think that most people would say ‘yes’ but they never finish the thought – do you know what it takes to be an Olympic sport?
“You’ve got to get approval through the IOC, you’ve got to have proof of governing bodies, you’ve got to have a lot of funding and a lot of interest and above all else, you’ve got to have a venue.
“That’s the one thing that so many people do not understand that’s difficult, and I don’t mean that to condescend, I say that because it looked like there was going to be a push for many years [already]… So, I’m going to say no.”
Whilst the pair of UFC legends typically argue back and forth on such hot topics, Cormier agreed with his co-host: “I don’t think so [either], I just think it’s too hard.
“If we’re doing mixed martial arts at the level of an Olympic sport, you’ve got to have multiple cages in one venue… You’re going to have to take away elbows, certain kicks, you’d have to wear shin guards but it’s too dangerous in terms of injuries.”
Cormier ultimately noted that having MMA in the Olympics would be “too taxing” on the athletes, a point that was reiterated by Sonnen as the entire tournament would likely require fighters to compete on less than 48 hours’ notice.
“It’s not just because of logistics, the guys [nowadays] are just too good, they’re too skilled and I don’t believe that there is a safe way to have the sport that we view as MMA, to see that in a tournament format with 24 guys, you got to through four guys in one week, I don’t think its right.”
You can catch the section from around the 31-minute mark.
PFL CEO Peter Murray says fighters ‘deserve’ a spot at the Olympic Games
Whilst the UFC is the ‘big fish’ when it comes to MMA promotions, that doesn’t mean that other organizations or CEOs don’t feel exactly the same way as Dana White.
Back in 2021, PFL CEO Peter Murray also discussed the idea of adding MMA to the Olympic Games after it was confirmed that Karate was set to be introduced for the 2020 (delayed to 2021) games in Tokyo.
“Absolutely [it’s time to add MMA]. You’ve got five combat sports in the Olympics. I’m excited that this is the first-year karate has been introduced into the Olympic Games. And it’s a given that MMA with 550-million-plus fans should be there.”
Sadly, Karate has since been cut from the 2024 games in Paris.
“There’s an underserved fan base, and there’s an underserved fighter base,” continued Murray, sharing how there are countless up-and-coming athletes from nations around the world who would jump at the chance to fight under such a historic banner.
“Around the world in 160 countries, there are athletes in MMA, and they are underrepresented. They deserve that global stage at the Olympics, so we are a big advocate to grow and advance the sport and we think that the Olympic movement will play a part in that for sure.
“Certainly, MMA is an outlet for many Olympic athletes as they look to go pro. But this is a sport certainly deserving of the Olympic space and we believe we have the format to deliver MMA to the Olympics and we’re having conversations with federations.”
The 2024 Olympic Games kicks off on July 26 in Paris, France.