Aug 2, 2024
6 mins
Magomed Kurbaitaev
In July 1993, millions of fans watched as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held its inaugural event. Royce Gracie, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu expert, won the UFC 1 tournament against professional boxer Art Jimmerson by submission (armbar) at 2:18 of the first round. Before this, MMA was mostly confined to underground fights with no formal rules, lacking public attention and media coverage.
The sport began to transform when organizations like the UFC introduced standardized rules and safety measures, adding professionalism and credibility. This structure allowed MMA to move into prime-time TV and cable, expanding its global reach, attracting more viewers and sponsors, and earning respect as a sport. By 2023, the UFC's revenue reached a record-breaking $1.3 billion, a 13% increase from 2022. The UFC's success spurred the rise of other leagues like Bellator MMA, ONE Championship, and PFL, cementing MMA's status in the global sports arena.
The Fan Experience in MMA
In the 1990s, MMA excited fans with its raw energy and unique matchups like karate versus jiu-jitsu. Fighters like Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock became stars due to their skills and personalities. The sport’s lack of rules and intense nature made it more thrilling than boxing and wrestling.
By the 2000s, MMA gained acceptance and safety with new rules. Reality TV helped it go mainstream, and fighters like Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz gained fans. The sport went global, hosting events in Europe, Asia, and South America.
In the 2010s, social media changed everything. Fighters used Twitter and Instagram to connect with fans, sharing updates and behind-the-scenes moments. Streaming services made it easy to watch events anytime, and online communities brought fans together.
Today, MMA has a diverse global fanbase. Fighters from all over the world attract fans with their different styles and stories. A Deloitte survey shows that sports fans, especially Gen Z, are very dedicated, with 80% following athletes online, which influences their viewing and purchases.
The internet is transforming how we engage with fandom. In the long run, Blockchain and Web3 technology will let fans be more involved than ever before. Fans will no longer be just passive viewers but active creators of content. To keep fans engaged and attract new ones, it's essential to focus on community, personalized experiences, and connection.
Existing Challenges
While MMA has always excited fans with its raw energy and fierce competition, I've noticed a missing piece: a deeper connection between fans and the sport beyond just watching fights.
Efforts have been made to bridge this gap. For example, Fight Club offers fans exclusive access to events, merchandise, and behind-the-scenes content. Similarly, Bellator MMA and ONE Championship host fan events to connect fans with fighters.
Despite these efforts, challenges still remain:
Limited Influence
Fans have little say in decisions made by organizations. For instance, Bellator’s lightweight tournament faced criticism for matchups fans felt were unfair, but their feedback was ignored.Few Engagement Opportunities
Engagement is often limited to occasional surveys, polls, and meet-and-greets, without offering personalized experiences. ONE Championship's fan voting and behind-the-scenes content have been criticized for not providing direct engagement.
Retention Issues
Frequent fighter moves, multiple promotions, and inconsistent event schedules make it hard for fans to stay engaged. For example, Eddie Alvarez's moves between Bellator, UFC, and ONE Championship show the difficulty fans face in following fighters' careers.
Unfair Compensation
While top fighters earn well, most receive low pay despite risking their health. Angela Lee, a former top fighter in ONE Championship, highlighted the financial struggles, noting that even champions often struggle to cover costs compared to other major sports.
Transition to Web3.0
To tackle the current challenges in fan experience within MMA, I chanced upon the idea on diving deeper in Web3 technology.
Web3 provides new ways to create more immersive, personalised and engaging experiences for fans using decentralized technology. And with time, what I have realized is that MMA is evolving in a way similar to how the internet has changed over time. Just as the internet moved from being a place where you could only read information to a space where you can interact with and run applications, MMA is shifting from being controlled by a few big organizations to a system where fighters, fans, and all others can have a say.
Ever since, MMA was mainly defined by the big fighting leagues and promotions that controlled everything. Now, with new blockchain technologies, MMA can shift towards a new era where fighters, teams, and fans can all have a say. Decentralized platforms are shifting power away from just a few large groups and giving more control to the fans directly involved in the sport.
Genesis of Gameplan and the Vision
GamePlan is built on the vision of community, by the community and for the community.
We have aimed to build the platform based on the principles of the decentralized network where each fan has power in their hands. This power comes in various ways-
Empowering Fans:
In most sports, fans simply watch and cheer from the sidelines. Gameplan changes that by giving you, the fan, a real role. With Gameplan, you can help make decisions, influence how teams are managed, and directly support your favorite athletes through decentralized governance and tokenized assets. This turns fans from just 'spectators' into 'key players' in the sport.
Transparency and Trust
In regular sports, things can sometimes seem shady with hidden fees and unclear decisions. Gameplan fixes this with blockchain technology, which keeps a public record of everything. This way, everyone—fans, athletes, and brands—can see what's going on. It helps build trust and creates a closer, more transparent community.
True Ownership
Blockchain technology lets you truly own exciting items like digital collectibles, game tickets, and exclusive content through NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Ownership of these NFTs goes beyond digital trinkets; it translates into real-world utility and value. For example, you can pair digital collectibles with tickets to real events, access memberships, and benefit from partnerships with brands. These secure and verifiable NFTs offer a new, engaging way to connect with the sports and athletes you love.
Now, you might be thinking, but what are the real perks of being part of the GamePlan?
What are the Benefits of GamePlan?
GamePlan brings cool chances for everyone in one scoop:
Fans can chat directly with their favorite fight stars through exclusive Q&A sessions, virtual meet-and-greets, and behind-the-scenes content, helping them feel closer to the athletes. They also get access to special content like locker room videos and personalized messages, making them feel more involved in the action .
Athletes can make money in new ways, like creating NFTs or sharing exclusive content, helping them earn more and connect better with fans. Getting closer to fans not only makes athletes feel popular but also provides valuable feedback and strong support from their most dedicated followers.
Brands can reach their target audience through targeted marketing campaigns, building stronger connections with customers than traditional ads. They can also create innovative partnerships with athletes and the platform, offering memorable and engaging experiences for fans.
As sports and technology come together, it's clear that the future of fan engagement depends on new and exciting ideas. Gameplan is more than just a platform; it's a movement towards making sports experiences more inclusive, transparent, and immersive for fans.
Our mission today is to enhance fan engagement and connection with their favorite sports and athletes using cutting-edge blockchain technology. In the coming years, we plan to evolve and innovate continually, ensuring our fans are always at the heart of the action. By making sports fandom more meaningful and exciting for everyone, we aspire to redefine the way fans experience sports, now and in the future.