For longtime fans of mixed martial arts, it is well known that the UFC is not the only place to watch some of the best MMA fighters in the world.

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In the past, PRIDE FC in Japan was home to some of the most exciting fights in the world. Later, Strikeforce became a strong alternative to the UFC. Today, Bellator MMA is a promotion for fighters not in the UFC to shine on a major stage. However, throughout MMA’s illustrious history, many promotions, some that have been forgotten, have played host to some of the best fighters in the world. The fact that they've been lost to history is proof of how hard it is to make it big in the business.

10 WFA

WFA
 Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

The World Fighting Alliance became an alternative to the UFC in the early 2000s for fight fans in Las Vegas. The WFA tried to combine a nightclub environment with professional MMA fights. Their roster featured memorable MMA fighters such as Rick Franklin, Frank Trigg, Lyoto Machida, Bas Rutten, and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

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Ultimately, the WFA only held a few events and closed operations in 2006. However, their legacy lives on through the UFC video games, as the promotion where you start your MMA career.

9 Pancrase

Pancrase
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The MMA promotion Pancrase actually predates the UFC. With its first event taking place in 1993, Pancrase is one of the longest-running MMA promotions in the world.

While the promotion is still in business and airs on UFC Fight Pass, Pancrase has dropped in popularity over the past couple of decades. At the start, Pancrase was co-founded by professional wrestling legend Minoru Suzuki. The first Pancrase event featured other MMA legends such as Bas Rutten and Ken Shamrock. Other notable fighters to come through Pancrase include Josh Barnett, Frank Shamrock, Jose Aldo, and Nate Diaz.

8 Cage Rage

Cage Rage
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In the early 2000s, Cage Rage Championships was the premier location for mixed martial arts fighters in the United Kingdom.

Fighters from around the world traveled to Europe to show off their fighting techniques. Brazilian MMA legends such as Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort, and Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva won championships in Cage Rage. Some of Europe’s best fighters also won gold in Cage Rage such as Michael Bisping, Paul Daley, and Brad Pickett. Cage Rage ceased operations in 2008.

7 IFL

IFL
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In 2006, International Fight League put a new spin on the sport of mixed martial arts. While the fights were traditional MMA fights, the promotion focused on team aspects. IFL featured different teams that competed against each other, similar to amateur wrestling.

Despite only being in existence for two years, the IFL did manage to get a television deal in the United States on MyNetworkTV. Notable fighters such as Roy Nelson, Jens Pulver, and Robbie Lawler all competed for IFL.

6 Affliction

Affliction
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When you hear the name “Affliction” when talking about MMA, you probably think of the t-shirt brand. However, in 2008, Affliction Entertainment became an MMA promotion.

With former United States President Donald Trump as a co-owner, the promotion was able to get some of the top fighters in the world. The first event featured MMA legends such as Vitor Belort, Antonio Nogueira, Josh Barnett, Andrei Arlovski, Tim Sylvia, and Fedor Emelianenko. In the end, Affliction would only host two events before shutting its doors for good.

5 Elite XC

Elite XC
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

For two years, Elite XC was one of the biggest MMA promotions in the world. In 2008, the promotion became the first MMA organization to air on broadcast television in the U.S when three of its cards aired on CBS.

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Elite XC was one of the first MMA organizations to promote women. Fighters such as Gina Carano, Shayna Baszler, and Cris Cyborg all fought for the promotion. Male fighters such as Antonio Silva, Robbie Lawler, and Jake Shields won titles in the promotion. Elite XC also hosted notable fighters such as Nate Diaz, Kimbo Slice, Roy Nelson, and Andrei Arlovski.

4 Dream

Dream
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

When the UFC purchased PRIDE FC, there was a need for a major MMA promotion in Japan. That is when Dream stepped up and became a major promotion in the land of the rising sun. Watching a Dream event was similar to watching a PRIDE show. The promotion featured some of the same announcers and commentators as PRIDE. Fights also took place in a ring instead of a cage.

From 2006 until 2012, Dream featured notable fighters such as Fedor Emelianenko, Alistair Overeem, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Eddie Alvarez, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and Shinya Aoki.

3 Tachi Palace

Tachi Palace
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Starting in 2009, Tachi Palace Fights was an MMA promotion where young fighters could gain experience and notoriety in order to move to bigger promotions such as the UFC or Strikeforce.

One reason Tachi Palace was unique was that they were one of the first promotions to highlight a flyweight division. Prior to the UFC adopting the 125-pound division, Tachi Palace was a premier organization for the flyweight division. When the UFC held their tournament to crown an inaugural champion, Tachi Palace champion Ian McCall was chosen as one of four men to compete for the title. In 2018, Tachi Palace ceased operations.

2 WEC

WEC
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

In 2001, World Extreme Cagefighting was formed. Based out of California, the promotion became one of the top regional MMA promotions in the country. In 2006, WEC was purchased by Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC. From there, WEC became one of the top MMA promotions in the world and was the home to the best bantamweight and featherweight fighters in the world.

In 2010, the UFC absorbed the 135 and 145-pound divisions and the WEC closed its door for good. The WEC will always be known for hosting exciting fights and creating lighter-weight stars such as Miguel Torres, Urijah Faber, Dominick Cruz, and Jose Aldo.

1 WSOF

WSOF
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While known today as the Professional Fighters League, the World Series of Fighting began in 2012 and became another premier destination for MMA fighters around the world. The WSOF was different from the PFL known today. While the PFL is known for hosting tournaments, the WSOF was a traditional MMA organization that featured fights with some of the best talent not signed with the UFC.

The WSOF rejuvenated the MMA careers of Anthony Johnson and Andrei Arlovski. The promotion is also responsible for introducing lightweight standout Justin Gaethje as a top contender in the division.