Issue 125

February 2015

The UFC has finalized a landmark deal with sports apparel giant Reebok to create a range of fighter uniforms and fan gear. The partnership is rumored to be worth about $70 million over six years, making it the biggest non-broadcast agreement the Las Vegas-based promotion has signed in its history. 

This means Reebok will be the exclusive outfitter for the UFC and its fighters around the world from July. 

The Reebok/UFC apparel line will include ‘Fight Week’ gear, ‘Fight Night kit’ as well as the UFC fan gear. “We’re particularly proud to be creating a whole new collection of apparel and fight wear which is dedicated to this incredible sport,” said Reebok president Matt O’Toole.

The arrival of the world’s third largest sports retail company means that other brands will no longer appear in the Octagon on fight night, but UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta pledged that fighters could hang on to their existing sponsorships. In addition, he said all revenues would be passed directly onto the fighters.

Fertitta said the news was another huge step up for the UFC towards the same level as the likes of the NFL, NBA and other sports brands: “This is a significant step forward that will help elevate the sport and take it to a place that other sports leagues are,” said Fertitta. 

“This outfitting policy will allow each of the fighters individuality but will also provide a unique, iconic and consistent look for all of the athletes.

“Imagine Cain Velasquez,” he added. “He obviously will have a certain look, feel, and appeal to his merchandise and what he wears into the Octagon. He will be compensated based upon how much of that actually sells, over and above what he will be paid as defending champion for a fight.”

A percentage of all Reebok/UFC product sales will also be donated to Fight for Peace, a non-profit organization that combines boxing and martial arts with education and personal development in communities affected by crime and violence. 

Path clear for UFC Melbourne mega event

A state election could be the UFC’s golden ticket to an event in Melbourne. The promotion has teased a possible visit to a huge stadium in the city, but there was a ban on caged combat in the state of Victoria. 

Before December’s state elections, the Labor Party said it would overturn the ban if the public voted for them. They won the election on December 4th.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship now aims to hold UFC 193 in the state at the Docklands Stadium, which has a capacity of over 50,000. UFC director of operations for Australia, New Zealand and Canada, Tom Wright, said two title fights could be booked for the historic November 14th event.

ONE FC targets MMA/boxing shows

Singapore-based promotion One FC has teased boxing bouts for its shows in the Philippines this year. Its CEO, Victor Cui, said plans were in the early stages, but the move could bring more opportunities to local fighters. The promotion is set to host two events in the capital city of Manila as part of its 2015 expansion. 

It also partnered with Manny Pacquiao in August when the country’s favorite sporting son became a shareholder. It was hoped the boxing great’s popularity could help promote the brand in the region.

“(Pacquiao has) got this idea down the road that he finds a way to combine events of boxing and MMA as an entertainment offering to fans,” said Cui. 

“Maybe part of the night boxing, part of the night MMA, but we’re still working through that. We want to go to the provinces and stage smaller competitions that will serve as feeder leagues.”

Rallying/Crashed: The MMA business can be cruel and kind

Rallying: Banned Fightwear

Already known for a range of quality clothing, Banned Fightwear truly captured the hearts and minds of nostalgic MMA and video game fans with their recent retro-tastic tee. Its Street Fighter-inspired TUF 1 Forrest Griffin vs. Stephan Bonnar design is a beautiful reminder of the pair’s legendary three-round war.

Crashed: Alchemist 

Despite continuing to boast an extensive list of MMA clients, it looks like Alchemist Management has left the apparel game. A few years ago you might have seen its logo on a range of clothing, including walkout shirts for its fighters, but it seems the MC Hammer-helmed organization has abandoned that venture.

24

One FC has planned 24 events across Asia in 2015, including 10 in China and two in the capital of the Philippines. It promoted just 11 in the whole of 2014.