The 15 Most Influential People in Boxing, UFC & WWE: Who's Pulling the Strings?

As the combat sports world converges on Las Vegas for a historic night of fights, ESPN has revealed the top 15 most influential figures across boxing, MMA, and wrestling. But what makes someone influential in the world of combat sports? Is it their autonomy, money, name recognition, or influence? Let's dive in and find out. At number 15, Bob Arum, the founder of Top Rank, has been a fixture in the sport for decades. He's built a reputation for producing some of the biggest fights in history, but his influence wanes compared to some of the other names on this list. Moving up to number 14, Oscar De La Hoya, the founder of Golden Boy Promotions, has had a significant impact on the sport, but his influence has been waning in recent years. Now, we get to the first of the big names, Jake and Logan Paul, the boxer/promoter and WWE superstar respectively. They may not have the most extensive resumes, but their influence in the world of social media and entertainment is undeniable. At number 12, Tony Khan, the founder of AEW, has been instrumental in shaking up the wrestling world with his innovative approach to storytelling and character development. But who's at the top of this list? Is it Al Haymon, the founder of Premier Boxing Champions? He's built a reputation for producing some of the biggest fights in history, and his influence is unmatched in the world of boxing. Or is it Eddie Hearn, the chairman of Matchroom Sport? He's been instrumental in bringing big fights to the UK, and his influence is felt across the boxing world.As we continue to count down, we find Hunter Campbell, the UFC's chief business officer, whose work behind the scenes has been instrumental in shaping the company's business strategy. And then there's Conor McGregor, the UFC fighter who's made a huge impact on the sport despite not fighting in years. His influence extends far beyond the Octagon, and he's a major player in the world of MMA. What about Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, the WWE superstar and board member of TKO? He's been instrumental in shaping the company's creative direction and is one of the most bankable stars in the world. At number 5, we find Paul "Triple H" Levesque, the WWE's chief content officer, whose work behind the scenes has been instrumental in shaping the company's creative direction. But who's number 4? Is it Saul "Canelo" Alvarez, the boxer who's made a huge impact on the sport with his fights and negotiations? He's an icon in Mexico and has the ability to shape the direction of the sport. And what about Nick Khan, the WWE president and board member of TKO? His work in expanding the company's business side has been instrumental in shaping the industry. Of course, no list of influencers would be complete without Dana White, the UFC president, whose work has turned the sport into a global phenomenon. But the most influential person in combat sports is none other than Turki Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority. His influence is felt across boxing, MMA, and wrestling, and he's been instrumental in shaping the direction of the sports.