Meta has entered into a groundbreaking multiyear agreement with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to become its ‘Official Fan Technology Partner.’ This collaboration hints at a more seamless integration of UFC’s mixed martial arts events across Meta’s platforms, including the Quest.
The UFC is eager to harness Meta’s cutting-edge technology to engage its vast audience of fans worldwide. This includes leveraging tools like Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, as well as social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
Moreover, Meta is set to be the UFC’s ‘Official AI Glasses Partner.’ This partnership aims to creatively incorporate these innovative AI glasses into UFC events, promising a unique experience for fans.
UFC President and CEO Dana White expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Over the years, we’ve partnered with some incredible companies that have helped elevate our sport. However, what Mark and his team at Meta are bringing to the table is something that will amaze UFC fans. With the brightest minds in tech, Meta is poised to revolutionize fan engagement. We’ve already begun collaborating on some new technologies, including an upgraded fighter rankings system that I’m excited to unveil soon. The next few years are going to be transformative for UFC fans.”
The collaboration feels fitting as Meta’s founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is a known enthusiast of the sport, even participating in various Jiu Jitsu competitions. “I’m a huge fan of UFC, and working with them to provide fans with new experiences is something I’m really looking forward to,” remarked Zuckerberg.
Interestingly, Dana White also joined Meta’s board of directors this past January, alongside prominent figures like John Elkann, CEO of the investment firm Exor, and tech investor Charlie Songhurst.
Details on how Meta plans to integrate UFC into Quest remain sparse. But, Meta has hinted at plans to merge UFC content throughout Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights. This could include branding in the renowned Octagon, broadcast integrations, and unique in-arena experiences. Additionally, Meta’s social platform, Threads, is set to feature exclusive UFC content.
Previously, in 2022, the UFC teamed up with Meta to stream 180-degree Fight Pass coverage via Horizon Worlds, Quest’s social VR platform, along with the Xtadium app. With this new partnership, there’s speculation that licensing opportunities across Quest will expand, giving UFC matches a broader audience.
Stay tuned, as both companies have promised to release more information on this exciting partnership soon.