Top 5 MMA promoters who can fight

(From left to right) MMA promoters Antonio Inoki, Masakatsu Funaki, Chatri Sityodtong, and Khabib Nurmagomedov are life-long martial artists. (Image courtesy: @thatprowrestlingnova, @takada_fightfan, @yodchatri, and @khabib_nurmagomkedov on Instagram)
(From left to right) MMA promoters Antonio Inoki, Masakatsu Funaki, Chatri Sityodtong, and Khabib Nurmagomedov are life-long martial artists. (Image courtesy: @thatprowrestlingnova, @takada_fightfan, @yodchatri, and @khabib_nurmagomkedov on Instagram)

#2. Asian MMA spearheader Chatri Sityodtong

This man is the reason why we have this list in the first place. As was already said, MMA promoter Chatri Sityodtong is a lifelong martial artist. Starting training in Muay Thai at a very young age, Chatri not only knows how to fight, but also lives by the martial way. It's a philosophy he instills in the fighters signed under his ONE Championship banner.

It's been said that the most dangerous people are the ones who can cause absolute violence and chaos but choose not to. If this statement is true, then Chatri is the perfect example. The ONE founder has an indimidating air about him that's cloaked under a mild-mannered, soft-spoken personality.

Sityodtong famously founded ONE Championship with the idea of bringing martial arts home where it belongs. Asia has always been synonymous with the mystique and prestige of martial arts and ONE celebrates this in the most honorable way.

This philosophy, together with Chatri's strong martial arts background, influenced how ONE treats its athletes. It's one of the most glaring things that separates the Asian promotion from other fight leagues today. Chatri might be the most capable promoter when it comes to understanding fighters' lives on a more personal level.


#1. Eagle FC founder and former UFC champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov

As if there's any question on who's going to be at the top of this list. To say that undefeated former MMA champion and Eagle FC promoter Khabib Nurmagomedov can fight is like saying water is wet.

Not only can 'The Eagle' fight, he's made the best MMA fighters look like amateurs inside the cage with him. Not a lot of things can be said about Khabib's fighting career that haven't been said already. The Dagestani MMA legend won and defended the UFC belt in one of the most dominant runs the company has ever seen.

His career as a promoter, however, is still budding at the moment. His exploits with Eagle Fighting Championship have been gaining traction as of late. The Russian fight league recently signed former UFC vets Kevin Lee, Renan Barao, Rashad Evans and 'Big Foot' Silva.

Khabib definitely has the knowledge and wisdom to not just sell fights, but promote martial arts philosophies as well. His successful MMA career and life as a martial artist are testaments to that. That's why he's at the top of our list

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Edited by John Cunningham