Meta has embarked on a significant multiyear partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), taking on the role of the organization’s “Official Fan Technology Partner.” This collaboration promises to deepen the integration of UFC’s thrilling mixed martial arts action across Meta’s platforms like Quest and more.
UFC is excited about the potential, revealing plans to harness Meta’s cutting-edge technology to enhance fan engagement globally. This effort will utilize Meta’s diverse innovations including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, and social channels such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
Moreover, Meta has been named the UFC’s “Official AI Glasses Partner.” The two giants aim to creatively incorporate these revolutionary AI glasses to enhance live UFC events.
UFC President and CEO Dana White expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I’ve partnered with fantastic companies in the past, but the collaboration with Mark and his team at Meta is poised to astonish our UFC fans. Meta houses some of the brightest minds in technology, and they are set to revolutionize how our fans interact with the sport. Already, we’ve started working together on innovative projects, such as a new fighter rankings system that I’m eager to unveil soon. The coming years will truly be transformative for UFC enthusiasts.”
Adding to the appeal of this partnership is Meta’s own CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, who’s an avid fan of mixed martial arts. Interestingly, Zuckerberg has not only watched from the sidelines but has also participated in several Jiu Jitsu competitions, illustrating his passion for the sport. “I love this sport and I’m eager to collaborate with UFC to offer fans fresh and exciting experiences,” said Zuckerberg.
At the start of this year, White also took on a new role as a board member at Meta, joining the ranks alongside figures like John Elkann, CEO of Exor, and tech investor Charlie Songhurst.
Although Meta’s detailed plans for Quest remain somewhat under wraps, there are hints at a wide-reaching involvement in UFC’s broadcasts. Viewers can anticipate seeing Meta’s branding throughout Pay-Per-View events and Fight Nights, both in the legendary Octagon and through creative in-arena experiences designed to engage fans in novel ways.
Additionally, Meta plans to use its social platform Threads to host exclusive UFC content, enriching the fan experience. This partnership builds upon an initial collaboration between Meta and UFC in 2022, when they jointly introduced 180-degree Fight Pass livestreams on Horizon Worlds, the social VR platform for Quest, as well as on the Xtadium app.
Given these initiatives, it’s clear that both companies are aiming to amplify UFC’s presence on Quest platforms. Fans and followers can look forward to more updates as details of this partnership continue to unfold.
