Why are mma fights promoted by showing knockouts?

It's easier to promote with knockouts, wrestling isn't as attractive to people

Actually, roughly 1/3 of the matches end in knockout or technical knockout. Taking a sample of shows from May 31:

EMMA 8: 3 (T)KO, 2 sub

One FC 9: 4 (T)KO, 1 sub, 5 dec.

LFC 20: 4 (T)KO, 2 sub, 3 dec.

How about the last five UFC events:

UFC 160: 5 (T)KO, 1 sub, 6 dec

UFC on FX 8: 4 (T)KO, 3 sub, 6 dec

UFC 159: 4 (T)KO, 1 sub, 5 dec, 1 other (no contest)

UFC on Fox 7: 8 (T)KO, 4 dec

TUF 17 Finale: 5 (T)KO, 4 sub, 3 dec

So we've demonstrably showed, that actually, quite a few MMA matches end in KO or TKO. So it seems to me that if you think "all they do is wrestle", it's a perception thing that's not backed up by reality. Certainly, I can remember at least three of the UFC events, and quite a few spent most or all of their time on the feet.

Knockouts show a finality to fans and so I think that's one attraction for fans. While submissions and choke outs would also show that they are not quite so dramatic as knockouts to fans of fighting sports. It only makes sense that they would use mostly that which fans find the most dramatic and appealing for promoting fights and fighters.

Ummm have you watched MMA recently? I would say about 70% of the fight take place standing in today's pro MMA. Nowadays all pro fighters have well developed wrestling which makes takedowns a lot harder contrary to the older days of MMA.

a knock out is easier to advertise and put in a commercial as opposed to grappling which requires a commentary of whats going on. knockouts are more exiting and fit better in the brief time commercials have to attract viewers.

Because knockouts are interesting and more exciting to watch. It'll attract more viewers.

Lol