Lengthy gone are the times of Don Frye and Royce Gracie, when being a fighter meant simply that. Again then, followers solely noticed fighters within the octagon and heard from them throughout post-fight interviews or press conferences. Immediately, many UFC athletes have carved new paths.
YouTube has given fighters a strong platform to market themselves in an entire new method. One of many first notable examples was Tyron Woodley, who launched his personal channel a decade in the past. As the primary energetic UFC champion with a private sequence, “Champ Camp,” he supplied followers a behind-the-scenes have a look at life as a champ. He additionally posted post-surgery updates, occasion blogs, and solo movies the place he spoke candidly.
One other early instance is Nate Diaz, whose first YouTube add dates again to December 2009. From goofing round with pals to storage exercise clips, Diaz pioneered fighter-driven self-marketing, giving followers a degree of entry that didn’t exist on the time.
(Tyron Woodley’s First Youtube Video)
Interval on enlightenment, UFC Fighters and crossovers
Within the trendy UFC period, many fighters have transitioned into YouTube personalities – some creating content material unrelated to MMA. Cooking with Volk is a lately launched channel by present UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski, that includes content material totally separate from combating. He follows the trail of former Bellator fighter Keith Lee, who’s so common on-line that many don’t notice he ever competed professionally.
Others use the platform to share their martial arts experience. UFC title contender Cory Sandhagen posts high-level approach breakdowns. Future UFC Corridor of Famer Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson has shifted his channel from gaming to full-blown martial arts content material, together with collaborations with different creators. He now co-hosts a present with MMA Guru the place they break down occasions.
Stylebender , Suga Sean O’Malley and Max Holloway are only a few different energetic fighters with channels price watching. YouTube provides followers unprecedented entry to fighters’ personalities and insights. That is solely the primary wave of success within the area. I hope extra retired fighters will flip to YouTube to remain related to the game.
(Promo for Mighty Mouse and MMA Guru cross over)
