Beyond The Cage: Is the Octagon Necessary?

How the Octagon Was Created

The iconic octagonal cage, synonymous with MMA since its inception, represents the sport’s blend of strategy, tradition, and innovation. Designed in 1993 by the founders of the UFC, its eight-sided structure minimizes cornering and encourages continuous movement, ensuring fairness and a dynamic fighting environment.

Built with safety and performance in mind, the octagon features a vinyl-coated chain-link fence for grappling, a padded canvas floor to absorb impact, and thick foam corner padding to reduce injury risks. Supported by a robust steel frame, its raised platform enhances visibility for fans while the carefully curated lighting and branding add to its dramatic allure. More than just a battleground, the octagon symbolizes MMA’s global identity, serving as the ultimate stage where fighters showcase their skill, resilience, and passion for the sport.

Challenges for Spectators

The octagon, while central to MMA's identity, presents significant challenges for live spectators due to visual obstructions caused by the cage. The mesh walls, designed to ensure fighter safety and containment, often create blind spots that make it difficult to see critical moments during a fight. This issue is particularly pronounced for fans seated close to the cage—ironically, the most expensive seats in the venue, with ticket prices ranging from $1,500 (£1,180) to over $25,000 (£19,700) for premium events. Despite their premium price, cage-side seats often leave spectators relying on the arena’s big screens to follow the action, effectively turning a live event into an overpriced viewing party.

For years, fans have voiced frustrations about this experience, with many stating they prefer watching fights at home, where they can enjoy an unobstructed view on their screens from multiple camera angles. This ongoing dissatisfaction has contributed to declining attendance at some events and created a disconnect between fans and the live atmosphere.

While the octagon provides a unique aesthetic for MMA, its design continues to hinder the spectator experience, raising questions about whether it is the best solution for a sport striving to grow its audience globally.

Problems for Fighters

The octagon, while central to MMA's identity, introduces unique challenges that fighters must navigate. The chain-link fence can be both an asset and a hindrance. Grabbing the fence—whether inadvertently or deliberately—is prohibited, as it can prevent takedowns or alter positional advantages, often leading to penalties. However, fighters frequently utilize the cage strategically, with its effects differing across disciplines:

1. Strikers often face challenges in the confined space of the octagon, as it limits their ability to maintain optimal distance, circle effectively, or escape pressure. The lack of room can disrupt their movement, forcing them into close-range exchanges that may not favor their skill set.


2. Wrestlers leverage the cage to their advantage, using it as a tool for takedowns by pinning opponents against the fence and limiting their movement. The octagon allows wrestlers to maintain control in clinch situations and neutralize their opponent’s offense through pressure.


3. Jiu-Jitsu specialists may find the cage a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can use it to trap opponents and control positions, such as executing submissions or ground-and-pound from dominant spots. On the other hand, the fence can hinder fluid transitions and escapes, complicating their attempts to work freely on the ground.

The Octagon’s Marketability

Despite its iconic status, the octagon’s aggressive and imposing aesthetic has occasionally posed challenges for the sport’s marketability. The cage structure, while functional for competition, can project a harsh and overly violent image that deters mainstream audiences and corporate sponsors seeking to align their brands with a more universally appealing identity. This perception has made it difficult for MMA to secure high-profile sponsorships and attract broader media coverage, as some companies are hesitant to associate with a visual element that seems uninviting or overly combative.

Removing the cage could open doors to a wider range of opportunities. A cage-free setup would present a more open and dynamic aesthetic, making the sport appear less intimidating to new audiences while maintaining its core excitement for fans. Without the cage, broadcasters and media outlets would find it easier to provide clear and visually engaging coverage, enhancing the viewing experience both for live attendees and TV audiences. This change could also appeal to a wider array of corporate sponsors, as a more polished and less aggressive presentation aligns better with diverse branding strategies. By rethinking the presentation of MMA, the sport has the potential to position itself as more accessible, globally appealing, and marketable to mainstream audiences and media platforms.

An Alternative to the Octagon

For decades, the octagon has been the centerpiece of MMA. But what if there was a better way? Imagine an open fighting platform: a spacious, elevated canvas measuring 50 feet long and 35 feet wide. This innovative design offers fighters the space they need to execute strategies effectively while maintaining a fair and competitive environment.

Safety remains a priority. The platform would feature shock-absorbing padding across the surface and edges to minimize injury during takedowns or falls. A slightly elevated design, raised just 2-3 feet off the ground, would improve visibility for fans while ensuring fighters remain on an even playing field.

Without the obstruction of cage walls, spectators would enjoy an unobstructed view of the action, enhancing both the live and televised experience. Boundary markers, such as bright-colored lines or soft barriers, would clearly define the fighting area, ensuring fighters remain within bounds under the close supervision of referees.

This setup not only addresses the limitations of the octagon but also opens new doors for marketing and sponsorship opportunities. The polished and modern aesthetic appeals to a broader audience, helping MMA shed its overly aggressive image while maintaining the integrity of the sport. Could this be the future of MMA arenas? It's time to rethink the fighting stage.