VeChain Becomes First-Ever Official Layer-1 Blockchain Partner of UFC

VeChain Signs Sponsorship Deal With UFC

VeChain has now become the first ‘Official Layer 1 Blockchain Partner,’ for UFC. The deal is worth $100 million and will last over a period of five years, making it one of the MMA’s largest sponsorships deal ever, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal.

As part of the deal, VeChain will receive rights for UFC’s official fighter rankings title featured on UFC’s live and online broadcasts. The collaboration, beginning on Saturday, includes exclusive content for its digital and social media platforms. VeChain will also have a branded presence inside the UFC’s Octagon at 42 annual events and the 10-event Dana White Contender Series. Commenting on the development, Paul Asencio, UFC Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships, said,

“We’re looking forward to working with VeChain to leverage UFC’s worldwide popularity to promote a positive message that blockchain technology can be used to protect our environment for future generations.”

UFC's Foray Into Web3, Metaverse

This is not the first time the UFC has forayed into Web3. Back in January, UFC announced a venture with Dapper Labs to launch UFC Strike, an NFT collection that reached $8.5 million in sales volume in the six-month period since its launch. One of the UFC’s largest partnerships includes a $175 million deal with Crypto.com that allows fighters to receive fan bonuses in Bitcoin (BTC) through the partnership.