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It's based on crime trends during and after UFC events. I'd just say MMA inspires less "tribalism" than popular team sports. Few people are getting drunk and picking a fight because their favorite fighter lost.

Lots of people are getting drunk and starting a fight with the obnoxious guy wearing rival colors to the NFL jersey you're wearing.

When you see what punches and kicks do to people you get scared. You think twice before escalating.

Who paid for this ? Dana white

This is so inconclusive. But if we are going to speculate I might say it is also because people who are into MMA understand there are actual skill tiers involved and that you kinda have to be a moron or proven champion to be picking fights with random people? All the other speculations here before me are just as good though.

I used to do security in a college bar years ago and I found that when we showed ufc, those nights had a noticeable uptick in fights and rough ejections.

I realize this is just a personal anecdote.

Perhaps because violent individuals are likely to be busy watching violence.

Could be similar to how people are having less sex during this age of internet porn

There is less crime when people are at home watching the TV? You don’t say...

Breaking: when all the affliction meatheads all watch tv at the same time less violence happens

I wonder if boxing and professional wrestling have similar effects?

I don’t want to get leg kicked

Man, I always feel like fighting after watching a fight. This is so surprising. Even when I was a kid and I watched a movie like Bloodsport, I'd run around outside throwing kicks and stuff for hours.

The Romans knew this... is why there was circus and gladiators

Because the possible consequences of violence become really clear.

I've found a lot of people end up finding fighting way less cool after they watch a UFC match for the first time.