What 2008 holds for the future of MMA

This year Dana White has some lofty aspirations that include NYC and international events. AP

Last year featured a number of intriguing storylines in American MMA. The UFC established itself as the number one MMA brand in this country, if not most of the world, while PRIDE was dismantled. Steroids became a major topic as high-profile fighters failed drug tests. And, for the first time in this country, a MMA fighter succumbed to injuries suffered at a sanctioned event. So, what are some potential storylines in 2008? Here are five things to look for as we begin the new year.

Will MMA continue to expand?

Expansion can be thought of on two fronts: domestic and international. Domestically, expansion means growing the number of states that sanction MMA. The approved list grew by 10 in 2007 to 31 (which includes the District of Columbia). Moreover, the Pennsylvania and North Carolina legislatures have approved MMA, but sanctioning has not yet taken effect. That still leaves 17 states that have not approved sanctioning.

So, which ones will join the growing majority in 2008? UFC President Dana White has repeatedly said he is targeting New York, reiterating that goal at the post-UFC 79 press conference.

Expansion of American MMA has already begun internationally. The UFC held two events in England and one in Northern Ireland in 2007. White said the UFC also has its sights set on shows in Canada, Germany and Mexico. He has readily admitted that the UFC's 2007 international shows came at a cost but he seems committed to making the UFC a global brand and has shown a willingness to take short-term lumps for long-term rewards.

Will MMA enjoy consistent network coverage?

The UFC has been a mainstay on SpikeTV (basic cable) for years. WEC (owned by Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC) settled in comfortably with the Versus network, another basic cable channel, in 2007. EliteXC has a partnership with premium cable channel Showtime. And, the IFL enjoyed network TV exposure on MyNetworkTV with a weekly show as well as the live event coverage in November 2007. ESPN has even made MMA highlights and interviews a regular part of its TV programming.

Still, none of the promotions has been able to break through to the major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) for live coverage. Rumors have persisted recently that the writers' strike would pave the way for a deal between the UFC and CBS or NBC to televise one of the UFC's upcoming pay-per-view cards. But, no official announcement has been made. Will 2008 be the year the sport breaks through and gains consistent network TV coverage?

Will MMA attract more Blue Chip sponsors?

Slowly but surely corporate America has also taken notice of the sport. At UFC 79, traditional sponsors such as Xyience were replaced in the Octagon by blue chip sponsors such as Harley-Davidson and Lumber Liquidators.

Will more blue chip sponsors follow suit? White said all he has to do to convince corporate executives of the appeal of the sport is to bring them to a UFC event. With the sport growing in popularity and already strong in the coveted male 18-34 demographic and knocking on the door of mainstream TV coverage, maybe the real question should be, can such sponsors afford to not get in the game? This could be a telling year on that front. Along with network TV coverage, increasing sponsorship dollars may help determine whether MMA's popularity has already peaked or whether the sport is still growing.

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