For the first time in UFC history, Reebok will be represented inside the Octagon.
Welterweight title challenger Johny Hendricks inked a blue-chip sponsorship with the athletic sportswear giant in early October. Now, in advance of his UFC 167 bout against champion Georges St-Pierre, Hendricks’ new sponsor has agreed to pay the UFC’s sponsorship tax and go to bat for Hendricks on November 16, 2013.
Ariel Helwani reported the news on Wednesday’s episode of UFC Tonight after confirming it with Hendricks’ agent Oren Hodak of KO Reps and his management, Team Takedown.
While Reebok also sponsors mixed martial arts fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, in the past Reebok refused to pay the UFC’s heavy sponsorship tax, which prevented a disgruntled Jackson from wearing any Reebok product during his Octagon farewell at UFC on FOX 6.
This time however, according to Helwani, Reebok has agreed to pay the tax for one fight — Hendricks’ battle against St-Pierre.
Hendricks joins the shortlist of UFC fighters sponsored by major sporting entities, which also includes St-Pierre, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, former middleweight champion Anderson Silva, and former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos.