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How is mixed martial arts different from the Ultimate Fighting Championship?

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Two mixed martial arts fighters face off inside a caged ring, viewed through the chain-link fence with a referee and audience in the background. — mixed martial arts Two fighters competing in a mixed martial arts contest.

The distinction between mixed martial arts (MMA) and the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is that of a sport versus an organization.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) is a hybrid combat sport that incorporates techniques from various disciplines, including boxing, wrestling, judo, jujitsu, karate, and Muay Thai. It is the broader athletic discipline practiced globally and regulated by various athletic commissions.12
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is a specific business organization that promotes professional MMA contests. Founded in 1993, the UFC acts as a leading promoter of the sport, producing live events and broadcasts worldwide.34

While the UFC was instrumental in standardizing the sport through the adoption of the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts, it remains one of many entities that organize and host these competitions.2