Fansided

Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, UFC, Duke, Kentucky among latest Fandom 250 nominees

By Staff

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Announcing the FanSided Fandom 250; the fan-powered network’s inaugural ranking of the world’s 250 best fandoms.

This year, FanSided is unveiling its Fandom 250 list, celebrating the best fanbases in the world, whether it be sports, entertainment, or anything that people identify and resonate with. Over the course of November, FanSided will be unveiling fanbases that have made the list 10 at a time, with the full rankings to be published on December 6th.

The latest batch of nominees focuses mainly on MMA, college basketball and fitness culture. From the world of MMA, the UFC and stars Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey all were nominated. Former UFC heavyweight champion and WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar also made the list.

The UFC is also the only major sports league to make the list. While the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL all have teams on the list, none of those leagues actually made the list themselves. The UFC has transcended by being synonymous with mixed martial arts, thus cultivating a loyal following.

McGregor has also cultivated a significant following, with Irish fans traveling around the world to see him compete. His weigh-ins draw bigger crowds then some events. Rousey has been able to transcend the sport and break into the main stream. Her activism has helped her develop a following as she continues to break barriers and open doors for women.

Three of college basketball’s most iconic and popular teams made the list: Duke, Kentucky and North Carolina. All three schools are rich in college basketball history and are considered the premier teams, with devoted followings. Duke and North Carolina fans are often on display during their “Tobacco Road Rivalry.”

The world of fitness has become a huge part of people’s lives and fans cling to their favorite workouts like a religion. Crossfit and Yoga have become two trends with loyal fans practicing on a daily basis. Lululemon is a brand of fitness wear that has become a staple of people’s closets.

Here is the full list of newly named entrants into the 2016 Fandom 250:

  • UFC
  • Conor McGregor
  • Ronda Rousey
  • Brock Lesnar
  • Crossfit
  • Yoga
  • Lululemon
  • Duke
  • Kentucky
  • North Carolina

For more information on the Fandom 205, stayed tuned to FanSided for the rest of the list as it is unveiled over the course of November. The full list with rankings, crowning the best Fandom in the world, will be revealed on December 6th.

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