Meta has forged a significant multiyear alliance with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), becoming its ‘Official Fan Technology Partner.’ This partnership could mean we’ll see a deeper integration of the UFC’s electrifying mixed martial arts bouts across Meta’s platforms, notably including Quest.
The UFC is eager to harness Meta’s cutting-edge technology to enhance fan interaction like never before with its global fanbase. This includes delving into Meta’s broad spectrum of services, from AI and Meta Glasses to Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads—each platform offering a unique way to engage with fans.
Furthermore, Meta is stepping into the ring as the ‘Official AI Glasses Partner’ for the UFC. The plan? To ingeniously incorporate these innovative glasses into UFC events, providing fans with captivating new experiences.
“I’ve collaborated with numerous great partners over the years as we’ve transformed this sport, but what Mark Zuckerberg and his team at Meta are poised to accomplish will utterly amaze our fans,” remarked UFC President and CEO, Dana White. “Meta’s tech geniuses are ready to elevate fan engagement to unprecedented heights. We’re already piloting exciting ventures with Meta, like revamping our fighter rankings system—something I’ll be revealing soon. The upcoming years promise to revolutionize the sport for our enthusiasts.”
The partnership seems almost fated, considering Meta’s founder and CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, has turned into a devoted follower of the sport. He even participates in Jiu Jitsu contests himself. “I’m a huge admirer of this sport and I’m thrilled to collaborate with the UFC to enrich fan experiences,” Zuckerberg shared with enthusiasm.
In January, White joined Meta’s board of directors alongside John Elkann, CEO of the investment firm Exor, and tech investor Charlie Songhurst—signaling a deeper partnership.
When it comes to integrating with Quest, details remain a bit sparse. However, Meta has plans to integrate UFC content broadly, featuring in all Pay-Per-View events and Fight Nights. Expect to see brand visibility in the iconic Octagon, enhanced broadcast segments, and inventive fan experiences within the arena.
Another exciting facet of the partnership involves Meta’s social platform, Threads, where we can anticipate exclusive and original UFC content.
Back in 2022, the two organizations initially teamed up to stream live UFC fights in 180-degree views on Horizon Worlds, the social VR platform for Quest, and the Xtadium app. With this fresh partnership, there’s potential for significant expansion, granting UFC matches even more prominence on the Quest platform.
Stay tuned as both companies promise to unveil more comprehensive details about this groundbreaking partnership soon.
