There’s no disputing that mixed martial arts (MMA) is the fastest growing sport in the world. But despite its rapid evolution on a global scale, MMA can not hold a candle to soccer when it comes down to sheer popularity.
As the premier international sport, soccer commands notoriety in all corners of the world, from Guam to Ireland. It is the gold standard in the sports world and a platform that often gains notoriety at every turn. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), MMA’s No. 1 promotion, paid tribute to the best players in the world,
In a recent report by Oliver Todd of Daily Mail, the fine people at UFC sent over a special replica belt to English football club Leicester City after winning the Barclays Premier League title. The club overcame 5,000-to-1 odds to begin the season by winning the title nearly 10 months later.
Some of Leicester City’s best players posed with the belt on the club’s official Twitter page:
We won the fight for the title…
So our friends at @ufc sent us a special title belt to celebrate #havingaparty pic.twitter.com/U0QinO4M4W
— Leicester City (@LCFC) May 5, 2016
It’s quite the gesture for UFC, but a smart move considering they have deep ties in the English sports market.