Las Vegas, Nev. – The UFC® today confirmed a new partnership with Monster Energy®, to be the official energy drink of the UFC. This new exclusive deal – which excludes Brazil – continues UFC’s approach of partnering with industry-leading companies that share the same values and vision to further maximize and expand branding opportunities worldwide.
“The UFC® is excited to partner with a category leader like Monster Energy and introduce them to our fans who embody the same enthusiasm and passion synonymous with their brand,” UFC Executive Vice President of Global Marketing Partnerships Michael Mossholder said. “This new multi-year deal will bring new and exciting experiential opportunities and unique in-market retail promotions.”
“We are excited to partner with the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization as the official energy drink of UFC as we expand our commitment into the MMA category,” said Sam Pontrelli, Monster Energy Senior Vice President of Marketing. “Through this partnership we will build a stronger brand position and expand our reach globally, thereby gaining exposure to a new audience while supporting the sport’s premiere athletes. We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship.”
Monster Energy will also be sponsoring select athletes including UFC women’s bantamweight champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, as well as UFC® lightweight champion Anthony “Showtime” Pettis and former UFC welterweight champion and current No.1 welterweight contender Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks, both of whom are competing at UFC® 185 in Dallas this coming Saturday.
Additional UFC athletes will be announced at a later date.
As part of this partnership, the Monster Energy logo has center placement on the canvas, as first witnessed at UFC® 184: Rousey vs. Zingano in Los Angeles. Monster Energy will also be promoted on various UFC® entities inside and outside the Octagon® and together with UFC they will execute distinctive retail promotions and contest opportunities such as:
· “Belt the Champ”: a promotion to give one lucky fan the opportunity to attend a title fight and step inside the Octagon to present the championship belt.
· The “Monster Experience”: an opportunity for fans to gain unparalleled access during a UFC fight week, including access to open workouts, the weigh-in, press conferences, and the chance to sit with UFC President Dana White at the live event.
For more information on UFC or current fight news, visit ufc.com. For more information on Monster Energy visit monsterenergy.com.
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About the UFC®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, the UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 129 countries and territories to nearly 800 million TV households worldwide in 28 different languages. The UFC has a multi-year broadcast agreement with FOX in the U.S., which annually includes four live events broadcast on the FOX network, as well as The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter and Instagram: @UFC.
About Monster
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is the leading marketer and distributor of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Refusing to acknowledge the traditional, Monster Energy supports the scene and sport. Whether motocross, off-road, NASCAR, MMA, BMX, surf, snowboard, ski, skateboard, or the rock and roll lifestyle, Monster Energy is a brand that believes in authenticity and the core of what its sports, athletes and musicians represent. More than a drink, it’s the way of life lived by athletes, sports, bands, believers and fans. See more about Monster Energy including all of its drinks at www.monsterenergy.com.
