Why the UFC Is Expanding Beyond MMA: Boxing, BJJ, and Power Slap
The UFC has long been the dominant name in mixed martial arts, but lately its ambitions are reaching far beyond the Octagon. Dana White has made it clear that the company’s future isn’t just about MMA; it’s about combat sports as a whole. With the launch of Zuffa Boxing, the promotion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu events, and the controversial rise of Power Slap, the UFC is testing whether its promotional muscle can build new audiences outside of traditional MMA. The goal is simple: create a central hub for a combat sports empire.
Boxing is the most notable new lane. Dana White has pushed Zuffa Boxing into the spotlight by promoting Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford, a fight that amassed an enormous 41 million viewers on Netflix, making it the most-watched boxing championship match in 20 years. Backed by TKO Group Holdings, the same parent company that owns UFC and WWE, this marks a shift in how fights are promoted and distributed. By bringing UFC production values and marketing strategies into boxing, White is attempting to capture the same formula that turned MMA into a mainstream product. For UFC fans, it means more crossover events that blur the lines between sports.
Beyond boxing, UFC has also invested in elevating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. BJJ has always been a core discipline of MMA, but stand-alone grappling events are gaining traction on UFC Fight Pass and beyond. With UFC BJJ 3 set to air on October 2nd. By spotlighting the world’s best grapplers, UFC is creating another avenue for fans to engage with the sport at its purest level. These events also allow prospects to build reputations before they even step into the cage. In the long run, BJJ showcases could help UFC identify the next wave of submission specialists.
Then, of course, there’s Power Slap. The polarizing slap-fighting league led by Dana White. While critics argue that it lacks the depth of traditional combat sports, its viral clips and highlight knockouts have attracted a surprisingly large audience. UFC has leaned into this by giving Power Slap prime streaming real estate and consistent promotion. Whether fans see it as legitimate competition or guilty-pleasure entertainment, its inclusion in UFC’s portfolio shows the company is willing to experiment. It’s another way to keep eyeballs on UFC properties even when MMA isn’t front and center.
The expansion beyond MMA reflects a bigger vision for UFC as a global combat sports brand. Instead of focusing on one sport, UFC is betting on becoming the one-stop shop for fight entertainment. From elite boxing to world-class grappling to controversial spectacle, Dana White and TKO are diversifying in ways that keep fans engaged all year. Whether you prefer toe-to-toe brawls or strategic grappling, for UFC loyalists, this means more storylines, more content, and potentially a new era where the UFC brand extends well past the Octagon.
