The world of mixed martial arts is about to get a major upgrade! UFC has officially teamed up with Meta, the parent company of Facebook, in a groundbreaking multiyear partnership aimed at bringing the excitement of MMA to an even wider audience.
Announced on Wednesday, this collaboration will leverage Meta's cutting-edge technology platforms, services, and products. Fans can expect to see UFC content across a variety of Meta's offerings, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. This means more ways than ever to catch all the action, highlights, and behind-the-scenes moments from the octagon.
As part of this partnership, UFC and Meta plan to integrate Meta's AI glasses into live UFC events, enhancing the viewing experience for fans. UFC President and CEO Dana White expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Meta has the greatest minds in tech, and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level." This collaboration is set to redefine how fans interact with the sport.
White also hinted at some exciting innovations in the pipeline, including a new fighter rankings system that Meta is currently developing. While the financial details of the deal remain under wraps, fans can look forward to seeing the Meta brand prominently featured in the UFC's Octagon and across various broadcasts. Additionally, Meta's social media platform Threads will host exclusive original content from UFC, giving fans a unique glimpse into the sport.
Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Meta, is no stranger to the world of MMA himself. He has been training in mixed martial arts and even participated in his first jiu-jitsu tournament in 2023. There were even rumors earlier this year about a potential "cage match" between Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, although that event never materialized.
Interestingly, Zuckerberg and White have a history of collaboration, with White joining Meta's board of directors back in January. Both figures are also connected to the political sphere, particularly with former President Donald Trump. After Trump's reelection in November, Zuckerberg was spotted dining at Mar-a-Lago, and Meta made a significant donation to Trump's inauguration fund, mirroring contributions from other major tech companies like Amazon.
Trump has long been a fan of UFC, frequently attending major fights. His relationship with White dates back to 2001 when White hosted a UFC event at Trump's former casino-hotel, the Trump Taj Mahal, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Over the years, Trump and White have been seen together at various UFC matches, especially during Trump's 2024 campaign, as part of efforts to connect with younger male voters.
White has also made appearances at the Republican conventions in 2016, 2020, and 2024, and he was present at Trump's election victory party in November. In the stock market, the news of this partnership has had a positive impact, with shares of Meta Platforms Inc. seeing a slight uptick, while TKO Group Holdings Inc. shares rose by more than 2% during midday trading.
With this exciting partnership, UFC and Meta are set to revolutionize the way fans experience mixed martial arts, making it more accessible and engaging than ever before.
