The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and USA Wrestling, the national governing body of wrestling in the United States, jointly announced they have renewed their partnership “to promote interest in wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA), while working together on a variety of projects to support each organization’s activities,” a press release stated on Tuesday.
“USA Wrestling is pleased to renew its partnership with UFC, coming off a successful first year working together. Our sports are closely entwined, and there are many ways we can help support each other. We look forward to finding creative and effective ways to add even more value to this strong relationship,” said Rich Bender, USA Wrestling Executive Director via release.
“We are extremely excited to renew our partnership with USA Wrestling and continue to build on the success we’ve experienced over the last year,” UFC Vice President of Federation Relationships and Corporate Social Responsibility Lou Lauria said in the joint statement. “UFC has a long and rich history supporting the development of amateur athletes and our relationship with USA Wrestling dates back to the very beginning of UFC.”
Specifics on the nature of their partnership were not released, but the joint statement noted the organizations would work to mututally support the growth and development of both sports. USA Wrestling also said it’s brand and “activities will be featured across several areas such as UFC’s broadcasts, social and digital media.”
As for UFC, USA Wrestling said it would use its media platforms to share information about UFC. In addition, the organization would offer it’s 250,000 members “exclusive opportunities” to engage with UFC products, events and other forms or rewards.