The 7 best European MMA promotions in 2024

Best European MMA promotions. Photo via Cage Warriors and OKTAGON MMA

The MMA scene in Europe is stronger than ever! Many of the biggest names of the sport come from Europe and built their names in the continent’s own promotions.

When it comes to exciting atmosphere and production, European organizations are among the absolute best in the world, and the bar is raised every year.

Let’s take a look at the seven best European MMA promotions right now!

7. Fight Club Rush

FCR. Photo: Tobias Lindkvist

• Standout fighters: Alexander Lööf, Tobias Harila, Fernando Flores
• Founded: 2017

Swedish promotion Fight Club Rush plays a big part in the past few years expansion of Scandinavian MMA. With solid production and interesting matchups, the promotion constantly develops their game.

FCR’s ambition is to mix Nordic top level amateurs with the up and coming pro fighters all through Scandinavia. The recipe really works as some of the best fights they have ever put on are indeed the Nordic derbys between Swedish and Finnish fighters.

6. Superior Challenge

• Standout fighters: Karl Albrektsson, Robin Roos
• Founded: 2008

Swedish promotion Superior Challenge has been around for a long time and helped build the foundation for the sport in the Nordic countries.

Known for their high quality production, the promotion has been a staple in the European MMA scene for many years.

Superior Challenge recently launched Superior Academy, a promotion where local amateur fighters will get the chance to build their careers.

5. PFL Europe

Photo via Instagram (@dakotaad_)

• Standout fighters: Dakota Ditcheva, Cedric Doumbe
• Founded: 2022

The European branch of PFL was launched in 2022 and provides a stepping stone towards an international career for European fighters. The athletes compete in a season format involving three fights in the year. The winner gets a hefty prize sum and the opportunity to be called up to PFL’s global league.

With the huge platform, economical muscles and organizational skills from PFL, the promotion has quickly become a force to be reckoned with on the European scene.

4. Ares FC

ARES FC. Photo via Instagram (@ares_fighting)

• Standout fighters: Abdoul Abdouraguimov
• Founded: 2019

ARES FC is a fairly new organization but has already left a big mark on the European MMA scene.

With their ambitious schedule they have already put on 23 events since their start in 2019. After having their first two shows in Senegal and Belgium, ARES FC focused their energy on the growing French MMA market, and have quickly become a very important player in the country.

3. KSW

Best European MMA promotions. Photo via KSW

• Standout fighters: Phil De Fries, Pawel Pawlak
• Founded: 2004

KSW is the premier MMA organization in Poland and one of the leading in Europe. In contrast to most other MMA promotions, KSW’s strategy is having fewer but bigger events.

In 2017, the promotion put on the largest MMA event to ever grace the European continent. Now fewer than 57,776 fans attended KSW 39: Colosseum in Warsaw.

2. Cage Warriors

Paddy Pimblett. Photo: Cage Warriors

• Standout fighters: George Hardwick, Jordan Vucenic, Liam Gittins
• Founded: 2001

Known to produce the future MMA stars, many of UFC’s biggest names broke through under the Cage Warriors banner. Fighters like Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Paddy Pimblett all won titles in Cage Warriors before stepping over to the UFC.

As one of the oldest promotion’s on the European scene, Cage Warriors is constantly evolving. Their next big thing is the PrizeFighter tournament where six bantamweights compete in a one-night, single elimination tournament, with a $50,000 cash prize for the winner.

1. OKTAGON MMA

Best European MMA promotions. Photo via OKTAGON MMA

• Standout fighters: Shem Rock, Losene Keita, Karlos Vemola
• Founded: 2016

The premier MMA promotion in 2024 is OKTAGON MMA, based in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The world-class production, consistency and number of exciting fights puts the promotion at No. 1 on this list.

OKTAGON MMA’s fanbase are so loyal that many of the their biggest stars rather stay in Europe than moving on to bigger organizations in the US.

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