Tag Archives: ufc

Global Fight League Announces Initial Funding and Sets Launch Plan for New Team-Based MMA Property

The Global Fight League, a new team-based MMA property, today announced that it has successfully closed a multi-million-dollar seed round and is set to launch its first season in April 2025. The league will hold a virtual selection process to determine the fighters on each team on January 24, the details of which will be released in the coming weeks.

The GFL will combine team and city-based competition with a new level of empowerment for male and female fighters across all stages of their career, offering profit sharing on all events from the very start.

“Our new league is a logical evolution for MMA,” said Darren Owen, longtime global MMA event promoter, entrepreneur, and Founder of the Global Fight League. “Our mission is to embrace fighters as true equitable partners from inception and, together, create a format that can be understood by any sports fan. I’ve had hundreds of conversations with MMA legends and rising stars and our business plan is an extension of what I have heard from fighters who want a new way to compete and excel in the world’s fastest growing sport.”

Many of the sport’s most notable fighters have been assembled to compete in the inaugural GFL season including: Tyron Woodley, Luke Rockhold, Wanderlei Silva, Anthony Pettis, Fabricio Werdum, Junior Dos Santos, Andrei Arlovski, Frank Mir, Benson Henderson, Gegard Mousasi, Alexander Gustafsson, Hector Lombard, Kevin Lee, Abubakar Nurmagomedov, Hannah Goldy and Marlon Moraes, who will serve as the Head of the GFL’s Athlete Association.

The GFL is pioneering a 50% event-specific revenue share model that ensures athletes benefit from the league’s success. This revolutionary structure prioritizes fighters’ financial security and professional well-being.

The GFL is committed to providing unparalleled financial benefits while prioritizing fighter health and safety. Additionally, the league will actively work to eliminate extreme weight-cutting practices to foster a healthier and more sustainable environment for athletes. This initiative reflects the league’s commitment to protecting its athletes and promoting longevity in their careers.

The league will launch with six teams based in major global markets. Competitions will span the world, culminating in a playoff and a championship that will establish the GFL’s position as a world-class experience for athletes and fans alike. Teams will be coached by some of MMA’s most respected figures, including Rafael Cordeiro, with team managers such as Lyoto Machida bringing exceptional expertise.

Marlon Moraes, Head of the GFL Athlete Association, remarked, “This is a new chapter for fighters. The GFL is built on fairness, respect, and opportunity. Fighters now have a voice and a stake in the sport’s future.”

With MMA’s undeniable global popularity, the GFL is the natural progression of a sport that transcends borders. By combining a historically proven team-based league model with a commitment to athlete equity, the GFL aims to help the MMA industry innovate and set a new gold standard in professional sports.

PokerStars Debuts UFC® KO Poker Game

UFC KO Poker hits the PokerStars online felt on June 23

UFC KO Poker hits the PokerStars online felt on June 23, bringing the thrill of the UFC® even closer to players with the opportunity to unleash spectacular poker knockouts inside the world-famous Octagon®.

PokerStars’ exclusive global partnership with UFC brings a new product that rewards the victorious with cash prizes every time a knock-out blow to a rival player is delivered.

On June 23  the new UFC KO Poker Series also kicks off, featuring more than $10 million in total guarantees across 68 events and an array of opportunities to win an unforgettable trip to Anaheim, California for UFC® 241: CORMIER VS. MIOCIC 2, which takes place on Saturday, August 17 at the Honda Center.

“UFC KO Poker is the perfect pairing of the thrill and skill of both UFC and poker,” said Bruce Buffer, UFC announcer and PokerStars Ambassador. “This no-mercy format is so much fun and nothing beats a knockout. I’m excited for the KO Poker warriors to join us in California for UFC® 241: CORMIER vs. MIOCIC 2.”

From the Virtual Octagon to the Real-life Arena

There are three UFC® 241: CORMIER VS. MIOCIC 2 packages up for grabs:

  • Become the player with the highest number of knockouts across all UFC KO Poker Series events.
  • Take out three or more opponents across all UFC KO Poker Series events to win a ticket to an All-In Shootout (AISO) on July 2, which will award a UFC® 241: CORMIER VS. MIOCIC 2 package.
  • Crush the hopes and dreams of at least six opponents across all UFC KO Poker Series events to win a ticket to a second All-in Shootout on July 3, also awarding a package.

“Knockouts are synonymous with both poker and UFC,” said Christopher Coyne, Chief Marketing Officer, Stars Interactive Group. “Our new game and the UFC KO Poker Series have all the ingredients to get both PokerStars and UFC audiences excited to join us in the virtual Octagon for more thrills, more entertainment and more exciting rewards. We’re looking forward to seeing who will be crowned our UFC poker champions!”

For UFC lovers in Southern Europe PokerStars will host a UFC KO Poker Week, with €2 million guaranteed across 42 events. In Italy, the UFC KO Poker Week will guarantee €1 million over 30 events.

UFC KO Poker Series highlights:

  • $109 buy-in UFC KO Series Sunday Million Main Event on June 30 features a $1.5 million guarantee
  • Event buy-ins range from $11 to $2,100
  • Satellites can be found from just $0.11
  • UFC Spin & Go’s awarding KO Poker Series tickets – including a seat in the Main Event – start from just $2.75

Pokerstars Launches UFC Spin & Go as Part of Partnership With UFC

The exclusive global partnership will give fans the chance to get involved in UFC-themed PokerStars promotions and products featuring cash prizes and exclusive UFC experiences

PokerStars, the undisputed champion of the online poker world and flagship poker brand of The Stars Group, today announced the launch of UFC-branded Spin & Go’s as part of PokerStars’ exclusive global partnership with UFC®, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.

PokerStars became UFC’s first-ever “Official Poker Partner” at the end of last year, which is a new sponsorship category for UFC. The famous red-spade will be present on the canvas of UFC’s world-famous Octagon® at UFC® 236: HOLLOWAY vs. POIRIER 2 in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, April 13 and at UFC® 237: NAMAJUNAS vs. ANDRADE in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, May 11, as well as all Pay-Per-View events throughout the remainder of the year.

The PokerStars brand will also be broadcast around the world on exclusive digital advertising real-estate and across social media channels. UFC fans are welcomed into the fold with UFC-themed PokerStars promotions and products featuring cash prizes and exclusive UFC experiences to be won in 2019.

Poker fans will see UFC branding emblazon newly relaunched Spin & Go’s, fast-paced, three-player poker tournaments with randomly assigned prize pools and big cash prizes for the taking. The UFC-branded Spin & Go is now live on PokerStars where, for the first time, players can play poker inside the UFC’s world famous Octagon®, feel the thrill of an arena atmosphere, and win millions. But the fun won’t stop there. More special UFC and PokerStars products and rewards are still to come and select UFC athletes will be announced as sponsors in the future.

“It’s been great to work on exciting, new and innovative ideas alongside PokerStars since our exclusive partnership went live,” said Paul Asencio, UFC Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships. “UFC Spin & Go is a great example of how PokerStars are integrating our brand into their world and bringing exciting new products to our fans.”

“UFC is the perfect pick for PokerStars,” said Christopher Coyne, Chief Marketing Officer, Stars Interactive. “UFC fans have a high propensity to engage in gaming and many of our players are fans of UFC. Our plan is to thrill as far and wide as possible with games, promotions, content and competitions that trigger passions and enhance the overall experience at PokerStars. We’ve so much in store. This is just the beginning.”

Read more about PokerStars’ exclusive global partnership with UFC® at PokerStars Blog.

UFC branded Spin & Go’s will be available on all licenses, other than PokerStars.pt and .cz.