We are on the cusp of crowning The United States of America’s next President. Millions of Americans are heading to the polling stations for the 59th time in US history to either re-elect Republican Donald Trump or Democrat Joe Biden. MMA has a fair share of great presidents as well.
They may be the face of the United States, however, each and every MMA promotion around the globe has a president heading their ship.
Let’s take a look at some of the cream of the crop presidents from around the mixed martial arts scene.
Dana White – UFC
UFC President Dana White has been not only the face of the promotion, but also the face of MMA for many. The American businessman took over as head of the UFC in 2001, when Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta acquired the promotion. He is known as a brash in your face type of president. He tells it as it is, not only to the media but to his fighters as well.
Scott Coker – Bellator
Scott Coker started out promoting kickboxing and then made his name as the man behind the number two promotion in the world Strikeforce. The promotion started out as a kickboxing league in 1985, but moved into the world of MMA in 2006. After Zuffa purchased the promotion in 2011, Coker held onto his title until 2014. When that folded, Coker was announced as the new president of Bellator MMA. He replaced Bjorn Rebney and has signed some of the biggest free agents on the market.
Shannon Knapp – Invicta FC
Known as the face behind women’s MMA, Shannon Knapp is at the helm of Invicta FC. The all-female promotion was founded by Knapp and Janet Martin in 2012. Prior to Invicta, Knapp was involved with World Fighting Alliance, International Fight League, Affliction Entertainment, UFC, and Strikeforce. Over the years, Knapp has produced more female stars that you can count on both hands.
Chatri Sityodtong – ONE Championship
Chatri Sityodtong may not be titled the president, but he is definitely the face of Asia’s largest MMA promotion, ONE Championship. The lifelong martial artist created ONE in 2011. As of June 2020, ONE has over US$346 million in total capital. American’s are seeing value fighting in Asia and a handful of free agents have inked deals with the promotion.
