We all know that Zuffa - The UFC (and WEC) - is the #1 MMA promotion. Which promotion is #2?

Question

Follow-up question: Has there ever been a fighter released by the UFC who does really well in another MMA promotion and was re-signed into the UFC due to his great performance?

Answer 1

Im pretty sure Wanderlei Silva.

Answer 2

Being released and fired isn't the same thing. Sometimes there are differences that can't worked out  and later can be so to imply that poor performance is why fighters always leave the UFC or any other show isn't quite exactly true. The problem with all of the MMA promoters/fight leagues  is that fight contracts and title shots are determined by politics and marketability not by accomplishments. I think the UFC is number one because of Spike TV's TUF and Unleashed free shows and because of the effort to by up the competition. Until anyone can say they do this, then there is no #2, the are uncomparable.

Answer 3

Id say Afflicition would be #2, with a upcomng card that includes these fights......

Affliciton-Banned July 19

Tim Sylvia vs Fedor Emalianenko  HW Champ Belt

Andrei Arlovsky vs Ben Rothwell

Josh Barnett vs Pedro Rizzo

Babalu Sobral vs Mike Whitehead

Aleksander Emalianenko vs Paul Buentello

Antoni Rogerio Noguera vs Vernon White

Matt Lindland vs Fabio Negaou

Vitor Belfor vs Terry Martin

and more

that actually sounds like one of the best cards iv heard, which will put them up at #2, and id give 3 for EXC for bringing in big name sluggers and putting togethter exiting fights