For a while now, female fighting has become more mainstream, and especially UFC, MMA, and boxing, have been the sectors that have seen significant growth. This article looks at why this is the case and how to sustain the rise of the female fighter.
More Social Acceptance
Female fighters have always been around, and the legends of the Amazonian warriors have long persisted. However, having women in the octagon showing dangerous fighting skills has taken society some getting used to, especially in the mainstream media. However, as more women move into powerful, societal decision-making positions and stereotypes are overturned, female fighters have now become increasingly socially accepted. With this improved social acceptance has come the increase in fans attending big fight nights to watch the ladies on the card. This is a trend that is set to continue, and such acceptance will be one of the main drivers of the rise in female fighters.
Promoters and Sponsors
There has been a surge in the number of fight promoters and sponsors who now specifically focus on female fighters. One could go as far as to say that it’s a growth industry now and that it is no longer just the top fighters that are being sponsored. The entire spectrum of female fighting, from merchandising to online sports betting, where you can bet on female fighters, are now so much more readily available. The exposure that female fighters are now getting is immense and sponsorship is part of the female fight craze that has taken the world by storm.
Prize Money
The prize money involved in female professional fighting and martial arts has skyrocketed, and although not yet entirely comparable to what the men earn, it has been a major drawcard to the sport for many out there. The octagon and the ring have become places wherein many women now look to as a means to change their lives for the better. Ronda Rousey and Kayla Harrison have set the tone in terms of earnings from the fight game and today's female MMA fighters are realizing the benefits of better prize money than female boxing and other professional martial arts.
More Female Fighters
All the above rationales discussed have also led to an increase in the number of female fighters across all fighting genres, from UFC to boxing and professional martial arts. There are now more female fighters than ever before with numbers increasing all the time. With the number of places to train on the increase, as well as some great role models now available to emulate, the number of female fighters is increasing significantly. This allows for the improvement in fight competitions and the ability for a wider range of weight classes and skill levels. It all makes for better watching and a greater chance to build a personal brand and create a dedicated following.
There is no going back, and there will be as many if not more female fighters and professional martial artists in our modern society soon. It is, thus, incumbent on all those involved in the industry or the fight game to accept this increase and support the rise of the female fighter.
