Grappling has always attracted crowds and held the attention of spectators wherever it’s been available to watch. However, modern audiences engage with the likes of BJJ tournaments in a very different way from their predecessors.

The biggest instigator of changing viewing habits is the humble smartphone, with second-screening now the dominant choice. Let’s discuss exactly what widespread mobile ownership and modern connectivity have altered about how fans watch grappling.

The Gambling Angle

Sports betting is legal and rigorously regulated in more and more parts of the world, with online gambling sites operating across Europe, North America, and beyond. The growth of this global market is incentivizing more fans to place wagers while watching events of all types.

While sports like soccer might grab the headlines and receive the most coverage in gambling markets, MMA and grappling-adjacent events are also popular. If you visit a reputable live betting platform you’ll find odds on combat sports aplenty, and these change dynamically in real time, so even if you’re not putting money on the line, they’re worth checking on a second screen while watching a fight on TV. It adds to the fun and leaves fans better informed about likely outcomes in one fell swoop.

The Social Media Aspect

Whenever there’s a public spectacle watched by millions, people want to discuss it, and social media lets them do that instantaneously. Grappling fans are just as into social posts as supporters in other sporting contexts, so second-screening has a strong allure, enabling them to chat with friends and debate with strangers on the fly.

Moreover, this matters when attending events in person. Social media means anyone can share what they’re up to, and if that’s watching some BJJ take place, all the better. It helps spread the word about the sport and creates a community around it.

The Research Advantages

We might like to think we’re experts in a sport or activity we love, but the reality is that most of us have many gaps in our knowledge. Second screening is a way to fill them in within seconds.

If you’re watching grappling and you want to check the stats on a given participant, or you just want to learn more about their background, such as where they’re from or the training they undertook to get where they are today, it’s a few taps away. As well as being useful for expanding your knowledge mid-event, it’s also useful for settling debates among friends in the bar afterwards.

The Distraction Dilemma

While second screening has altered the way fans watch grappling, and we’ve talked about the positives so far, it does have its drawbacks. Mainly, if you’re regularly checking your phone, whether to place a bet or chat on social media, it means your attention is taken away from the action on the main screen.

The distractions created by phones impact some people more than others, so if your attention is easily diverted, it’s best to form the habit of only getting out your phone between bouts. If that means putting it in another room, so be it.

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