As Mixed Martial Arts continues to grow, it’s entrance into different markets and media will be key to its future success. One media platform booming right now are mobile apps and social networking games being developed for the iPhone/iPad, Android devices, and Facebook.
Affordable mobile personal devices have finally arrived to the mainstream, and MMA’s ability to adapt to the technology could payout greatly in the long run. Look for Apple’s portable devices iPhone/iPad to rule the market in the near future, but social media giant Facebook and Google’s Android Operating System will be unveiling a number of portable devices by the end of the year, just in time for the holiday season. I have gathered some of the most popular MMA mobile apps and social games as of date to prepare MMA fans for this new digital frontier:
MMAFighting (by AOL):
DESCRIPTION:
MMAFighting.com is a premier destination for MMA fans looking for breaking news, provocative commentary and extensive event coverage that reflects our love of MMA — and yours. Home to an elite staff of journalists, MMAFighting.com is a true force in mixed martial arts.
KEY FEATURES:
– Latest MMAFighting stories, navigable by organization, fighter and hot topics
– UFC, Strikeforce, WEC results
– MMA schedules
– Fighter rankings by weight class
– Integrated sharing for articles via Email, Facebook, Twitter
– Photo galleries in landscape and portrait
– Saving Feature to bookmark articles and view offline
– Integrated Mini Web Browser for viewing web content without leaving the app.
Website: http://www.mmafighting.com/
MMAJunkie (by Handmark, Inc):
DESCRIPTION:
Get the latest MMA news, interviews, rumors and event info for the UFC, WEC, Strikeforce, Bellator, DREAM, Sengoku and other promotions from MMAjunkie.com, the 2008 and 2009 World Mixed Martial Arts Awards “Best Media Outlet” winner.
MMAjunkie.com, an official MMA partner site of Yahoo! Sports, provides your mobile device instant access to all our content, including on-site event reports, the latest MMA business dealings, and industry-leading features on the top fighters and prospects in the sport today. You can also get up-to-the-minute scoring from live shows, rumored fight cards and past MMA event results.
Website: http://mmajunkie.com/
The Underground MMA (by Internet Commerce Company, LLC):
DESCRIPTION:
Looking for the latest breaking news and rumors in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA)?
Get the latest UFC and MMA news 7 days a week. Follow event results and search our database of over 250,000 fighters. Find breaking rumors and behind the scenes information from the famous Underground Forum, frequented by Dana White, Joe Rogan, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, among numerous other MMA and UFC stars on a regular basis.
This application is brought to you by the internet leader in MMA information, MixedMartialArts.com.
Features:
– Breaking MMA and UFC news
– Fighters record search. Search over 250,000 fighters for full fight history and detailed information.
– Upcoming event information and event results from the largest database of events in the world.
– Access the Underground (UG) Forum, Otherground (OG) Forum and 28 others.
– Posting to threads and subscriptions for ALL members.
Website: http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/
UFC (by MobiTV) :
DESCRIPTION:
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) The fastest growing sports organization in history, and the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, is now offering the official, action–packed application featuring fighter pages, videos, news, highlights, Octagon™ Girl photos, and the ability to watch LIVE pre-fight weigh-ins and Pay-Per-View fights.
NEW! Think you know the official UFC app? Think again. We’re introducing major improvements including: New Fighter page, alerts, improved navigation, look & feel, live weigh-ins, more Octagon Girls, and exclusive access to Fighter Videos, where you can watch full-length fights, training and candid interviews leading up to the upcoming title event.
Pay-Per-View: Experience LIVE Pay-Per-View fights on your iPhone and iPad. Be one of the first to capture LIVE UFC events over 3G or Wi-Fi on the go. Upgrade directly through this app to access live fights via Pay-Per-View for $44.99/event.
UFC® subscribers can watch ALL live and video on demand videos on Wi-Fi, 3G and Edge networks*.
The new and improved UFC app now includes:
– More Highlights! Both video on demand and stories focused on fighters, UFC® events, breaking news, weigh-ins and interviews
– New Fighter Pages! Search through more than 200 UFC fighters! Get tons of stats, fight info and photos for each fighter….even follow their Twitter feed!
– Events: Take the FULL schedule for all upcoming pay-per-view UFC® events with you on the road! Plus you can purchase future UFC PPV events, all from a single app!
– LIVE fights: Purchase each UFC® event for an additional $44.99 to watch them LIVE.
– Octagon Girls: Get even more information and photos
– New! UFC® Fight Videos: Featuring exclusive fighter coverage; Includes video highlights, past fights, candid interviews, grueling training sessions and more! Upgrade within the app for $5.99 to gain exclusive access through the upcoming title event.
*The EDGE video performance is not ideal, so it is STRONGLY RECOMMENDED the iPhone stream live video when on Wi-Fi.
Website: http://www.ufc.com/
Tapout (by Internet Commerce Company, LLC):
DESCRIPTION:
Access exclusive iPhone only TapouT deals, latest products, photo galleries, MMA news and TapouT Live Radio. This iPhone app brings you the best of TapouT and MMA in the palm of your hand.
Special Features:
– Full store including iPhone specials
– Store accepts Credit Card and PayPal
– Use your existing TapouT account to purchase
– Photo galleries from Bikini contests, shows and fighter signings
– TapouT news and events feed
– TapouT iPhone background artwork gallery
– Catch the latest TapouT Live Radio Show
Website: http://www.tapout.com/
Showtime / Strikeforce (by Showtime Networks Inc):
DESCRIPTION:
Stay connected with Showtime’s original series, movies and sports…on the go, anytime, anywhere with the Showtime app for iPhone and iPod Touch.
View sample full episodes and previews of your favorite Showtime series. Watch hundreds of video clips anytime over wifi, 3G or Edge. Check the schedule for what’s on tonight, tomorrow or next week. Subscribe to podcasts, download full episodes and games, and touch to call and order Showtime – all directly from your mobile device!
Redesigned and easier-to-use, the Showtime app has a new interface giving you even more access to your favorite programs, and features including:
– Detailed episode guides
– Video for all Showtime original series
– Plot synopses and trailers for movies airing on all channels
– Two weeks of schedule information for all channels
– Direct links to purchase and download additional episodes and related apps in iTunes
– Ability to share content from the app via email, Facebook and Twitter
Don’t miss a beat. The Showtime iPhone app is the mobile hub for all your favorite series:
• Nurse Jackie
• United States of Tara
• The Tudors
• Dexter
• Weeds
• Californication
• Inside the NFL
• Inside NASCAR
• Championship Boxing
• Mixed Martial Arts (Strikeforce)
and more!
Website: http://sports.sho.com/
The Fight Network (by Mobilefringe):
DESCRIPTION:
The Fight Network is pumped to launch our iPhone app for our amazing viewers. Always stay connected to what is happening and how we see it going down in the world of MMA, boxing, wrestling and more.
We will deliver to your hand the Hottest News with specific sections for MMA, Boxing and Wrestling. A detailed show listing to our great lineup. We even have our twitter account connected to chat things up.
The Fight Network is a multi-platform, sports and entertainment company providing its content to fight fans on digital television, VOD, radio, mobile and online. The Fight Network covers all combat sports, including Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Boxing, Wrestling, Kickboxing and theme-related entertainment, through its 24/7 dedication to the fight genre
In addition to our steady slate of live and tape-delayed events, such as K-1 Kickboxing, Hennessy Boxing, DREAM, Affliction and Maximum Fighting Championships, The Fight Network is the leading source of televised combat sports news content through shows such as Fight News, which offers extensive previews, recaps and features for the biggest events in the world. We also produce original, fight-related reality and entertainment series’ (such as the Wai-In and Wrestling Reality) and radio content (Live Audio Wrestling), as well as broadcasting the best available third party produced combat sports content with partners such as iBN Sports, MMA FanHouse, Affliction Entertainment and more.
Website: http://thefightnetwork.com/
MMA Applications Inc:
DESCRIPTION:
Founded in 2009, MMA Applications is revolutionizing the way people learn Mixed Martial Arts around the world. With team members having backgrounds in mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, wrestling, kickboxing, strength and conditioning training, and Karate, our focus is to give you the best MMA instruction in the palm of your hand. Our goal is to create a cool and realistic user experience. MMA Applications aims to improve your skills one app at a time.
iPhone Apps Available:
Passing the Guard, Strength and Conditioning, MMA Strikes, Ankle Locks, The Guard, Guard Flow, and NoGi.
Website: http://mmaapplications.com/iphone-apps/
MMA Pro Fighter on Facebook (by Digital Chocolate, Inc):
DESCRIPTION:
Raw, intense and all-out brawl, challenge friends in MMA Pro Fighter and dominate the ring! Take down opponents in MMA Pro Fighter and experience the most lethal fighting game on Facebook! Customize your fighter with an array of options including items, backgrounds and fighting moves. Choose between 7 unique fighting styles from Kick-Boxing, Muay Thai to Brazilian. Apply your fatal submission hold and pummel your opponent until their blood is on the floor. Pain is temporary, glory is forever!
FEATURES
– Customize the look, clothes, fighting style and attacks of your fighter
– Take your player through the MMA career by training and improving your skills
– Compete with friends on Facebook and publish victories to your newsfeed
– Purchase Pro Points to increase your edge and skills in the ring
– Choose between 7 fighting styles including Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo and more
– Learn up to 300 different fighting moves
– Meet the sexy ring girls – gathered from all over the world
PR RELEASE:
Digital Chocolate, a quality leader in original and high quality games on all platforms, today announced that its recently launched game MMA Pro Fighter™ is already the #1 mixed martial arts application of any kind on Facebook. This top ranking includes MMA games, news apps, fan apps, video apps, quizzes, and trivia apps on the leading social networking site. The app can be played at: http://apps.facebook.com/mmaprofighter/
“The depth and quality of MMA Pro Fighter has already made it the favorite of mixed martial arts fans on Facebook” said Trip Hawkins, CEO of Digital Chocolate. “We’re glad to bring MMA followers a whole new level of experience as they throwdown with their Facebook friends.”
Created specifically to take full advantage of Facebook, players can build and develop their fighter and compete with friends to reach the top of the ranks. Players can also customize their character’s look, gear, fighting styles and more, as well as meet the MMA Pro Fighter Ring Girls.
MMA Pro Fighter features an in-depth fighting engine that realistically simulates fights, blow by blow, using actual MMA moves and attributes. The game offers the opportunity to have your fighter learn up to 300 different bone-crushing fighting moves as you level-up in the game. MMA Pro Fighter provides stunning 3D graphics and high production values to deliver the best executed fighting game on Facebook.
Website: http://www.digitalchocolate.com/facebook/mma-pro-fighter/
CageBoss on FaceBook:
DESCRIPTION:
Create your own fighter on CageBoss. Master each of our training exercises to earn experience and level up. Take on and defeat each of our Bosses and become the world’s true CageBoss!
CageBoss awards users real-world gifts like MMA apparel, accessories and other merchandise. Play often and train hard!
Website: http://cageboss.com/
Other Notables:
MMA Game, MMA FightPicker, Ultimate Fighter, MMA Fantasy Pool, and MMA Big Show CHAMPIONS.
***
Sample List of Fighters with Apps:
MMA Apps Available on Android:
MMA Underground, iTrackMMA, MMA News.
***
FLO TV (by Qualcomm):
“FLO TV customers love having on-the-go access to live events and sports programming, and we think this programming will appeal to the passionate UFC fan base,” said Jayne Hancock, vice president of marketing for FLO TV. “Beginning with UFC 113 this Saturday night, MMA fans can now catch all the UFC Pay-Per-View action live and as it happens.”
“We are very excited to have this deal with FLO TV, giving our fans a new way to watch UFC events live and on-the-go,” said Dana White, UFC president. “Starting with Machida vs. Shogun 2 on May 8, for the first time ever, subscribers can tune in and watch a UFC event live on FLO TV.”
Website: http://www.flotv.com/
Payout Perspective
As yo can see by the list, there are only a few MMA entities that have made the transition into the mobile app world successfully. For example, MMAFighting, MMAJunkie, The Underground, and TapouT have great apps for the iPhone.
UFC’s app just received a much needed overhaul not too long ago, which greatly improved the utility of it and made the purchase of the application worthwhile, though users who have ordered PPV’s through their phones have reported issues with the streaming, so there are is still a bit more refinements needed for the app, as well as keeping the fighter records up to date, etc.
Overall, the market space here is wide open, specifically pointing at the Facebook social media games, where MMA Pro Fighter is by far the most popular MMA game. The question then becomes how to best use these apps and media games? Some are using it as a mean to increase your bottom line, while others as a tool for mass marketing and to increase brand awareness. Either way, this social and mobile platform is bound to exponentially increase in users very soon, as affordable personal mobile devices developed by big name manufacturers make their way to consumers this holiday season.
[…] post: MMA Enters Mobile Apps and Social Media Gaming World : MMAPayout … Tags: app-world, iphone, list, mma, tapou, their-transition, transition, underground « […]