Does the UFC have a MMAonopoly?

Since the UFC has hit it big time in the MMA world, other organizations have been popping up on every corner to try and promote the sport and their product.

No organization has been as successful as the UFC, except maybe PRIDE FC, which the UFC eventually bought up. The question remains though, is there room for more then one organization to coexist in the MMA world?

If you ask UFC President Dana White, there is no chance.

White has been quoted as calling the other companies as Mickey- Mouse type organizations and that none of them are for real or can compete with the UFC. As much as Mr. White is arrogant and outspoken on the topic, he's right in every capacity.

Aside from the UFC the other main players in the MMA world are Affliction, EliteXC, Dream and the WEC (which the UFC owners also own). Not only does it get confusing for fans, it also gets frustrating. With other organizations popping up and signing fighters, we often aren't able to see some dream fights that we would like to. Already, with the exception of the WEC these organizations have had to cancel events due to financial troubles, and that's where the root of all their problems will go back to.

The thing with these other organizations though, is that they have no longevity. MMA has already evolved so much; it would be like trying to start up a league to compete with the NHL or NFL, both of which have happened and both have which have failed (see the WHA and USFL).

When the current ownership group of the UFC bought it back in the day, they were working at a loss of profits for about eight-to-10 years. It wasn't until then that the UFC started making money, and hit it big with The Ultimate Fighter reality series on Spike.

Along with the evolution of the sport, the fighters have evolved as well, no longer are they bar brawlers and street fighters, they are trained professionals and this is their job, and they want to be paid accordingly. The salaries in MMA haven't gotten ridiculous yet, like other pro sports, but it's working its way up.

When you go to try and start an organization now, you pretty much have to start at a loss of profits. The cost of the fighters salary, the building rental for your event, the insurance, marketing and the list goes on and on for expenses. The list gets so big that if you put on a bad show, or you don't sell out with record numbers, you're in for a world of hurt when you get the bill at the end of the night. Not too many organization owners are willing to take that hit and that's why since the UFC has been in the MMA world since day one, they will be here for the long haul and beat out every other organization that is around.

With this being the reality of the MMA world, is it good or bad?

Right now, it's not too great. You have some of the best fighters in the world, scattered throughout various organizations where they will never fight each other. For example, the Fedor Emelianenko vs. Randy Couture matchup may never, ever happen considering the organizations both fighters are in and not to mention the problems with stubborn bargaining that their managers and the organizations impose.

A monopoly in MMA is going to be the best thing for it, and there is no other organization prepared, or more deserving of it then the UFC. They already have the best roster of fighters, they have been through the hardships of the business and most importantly, they are already the most successful and popular organization out there right now. I bet some of you didn't even know there was other organizations in MMA before reading this either.

Upcoming MMA Events:

- September 23 Dream 6: Middleweight Grand Prix Finals

- October 4 EliteXC on CBS: Kimbo Slice vs. Ken Shamrock

- October 18 UFC89 in England: Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben

- October 25 UFC 90: Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote