UFC makes BLE debut
The Ultimate Fighting Championship - the fastest growing sports organisation in history - has announced it will showcase its growing licensing portfolio at this year’s Brand Licensing Expo.
Thanks to UFC’s meteoric business growth, a number of licensing streams have been launched including trading cards, action figures, video games, DVDs, lifestyle clothing and a bi-monthly magazine as well as training and fitness equipment.
UFC UK division president Marshall Zelaznik said: “We are really looking forward to this year’s BLE. We fully understand the value of showcasing our growing license portfolio, and, with the BLE being the largest European expo of its kind it is the perfect stage on which to do it.”
UFC athletes compete under the Unified Rules of MMA, combining five Olympic sports – boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, Judo and Tae Kwon Do – with traditional martial arts including Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, karate and kung-fu. UFC bouts take place in a specially designed fenced ring called the Octagon across five weight divisions, each with a single UFC World Champion.
The UFC produces over 20 televised events annually, is broadcast in 147 countries in 19 languages, including on ESPN and channel FIVE in the UK, and reaches almost half a billion homes worldwide. The company produces over 25 live arena events around the world, breaking attendance and box office records throughout the United States as well as in Britain, Ireland, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia and Germany.
Launched in 1993, the UFC was acquired for $2 million by Zuffa LLC in 2001 and is now worth an estimated $1.2billion. The UFC is the hottest ticket in indoor sport in the British Isles, already setting records in the six biggest venues since returning to the market in 2007. In October, over 20,000 fans will attend the first ever UFC Fan Expo to take place in Europe at Earls Court. Also in October, the UFC returns for a fourth consecutive sell-out event at London’s 20,000 seater O2 Arena with UFC 120.
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