British MMA Facing a Paradox of Growth

Karl Maple, of Sherdog, has an excellent article describing the state of British MMA. 

Maple chronicles the recent demise of several MMA promotions --promotions that served as basic training for fighters now in the UFC-- as the local British promotions desperately try to bring in fans. But shouldn't MMA in England be expanding? Well it is, or at least the UFC is. 

According to Maple the UFC's status within the United Kingdom has never been better. The problem is that the English UFC fans aren't going to local events, at least according to Matt Freeman, of  MMA Unlimited.

"With the UFC coming back to the U.K., we have seen an explosion of interest in that particular promotion but not in the sport," said Freeman. "Everyone has heard of the UFC, but not MMA, which could be construed as negative. 

"The top U.K. promotions used to host huge domestic and international cards, but things have definitely changed,"  continued Freeman. "The trickle-down effect many thought would happen a few years ago hasn't happened. Add that to the economic downturn, which has seemingly had no effect on the UFC and British shows have struggled in my opinion."

I think this is an excellent example of the need to differentiate the "UFC" and "MMA." While both are heavily interconnected the viability of each individual entity depends upon the health of the other. Without a vibrant and healthy minor league farm system no major promotion will be able to build a next generation of talent. For the UFC it has been their top priority to build U.K. stars, what happens if there is no where for these fighter to develop but inside the Octagon?

If what Maple reports continues to occur it could be a troubling sign for the future of British MMA.