The future of sponsorships in mixed martial arts dramatically shifted on Tuesday, as the UFC and Reebok announced a landmark six-year deal which will effectively replace in-cage fighter sponsors with a uniform provided by Reebok. Whether this shift will ultimately be a positive or negative net gain on fighters’ wallets remains to be seen — specifics of the new tiered payout system are, at this point, foggy — but there’s no underselling the significance UFC’s decision here.
Check out reactions to the announcement from pro fighters both in and out of the UFC below, which we’ll be updating periodically throughout the day.
So excited to have @Reebok and @UFC partnering to create the best gear for fighters and fans! Happy to be a part of these amazing teams.
— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) December 2, 2014
IDK enough about the Reebok deal to have an opinion, but I will say I’m happy chasing sponsor money post fight is a thing of the past
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) December 2, 2014
Definitely a new chapter for MMA. #Reebok #UFC
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) December 2, 2014
Lookin fwd to the @ufc deal with @Reebok! Thanks @danawhite & @lorenzofertitta for raising the bar. MMA continues to evolve. #legit
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) December 2, 2014
I can’t believe it, the UFC is finally implementing uniforms!! Thoughts? http://t.co/K3vNHRJceF
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) December 2, 2014
well… I made the @Reebok highlight video… but it was getting kicked in the face by @Showtimepettis. Dammit.
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) December 2, 2014
It’s time to embrace change, I’m excited to see how this all works out for the @UFC, for reebok, the… http://t.co/zs1NvX2bP4
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) December 2, 2014
Interested to see what girls will have for @Reebok apparel. Hoping we have an option to wear more than sports bra and short shorts #modesty
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) December 2, 2014
UFC Reebok good for all because sponsorships hard for combat sports “No blood on logo” is common ad buyer saying. Reebok is mainstream
— Campbell McLaren (@campbellcombate) December 2, 2014
Lots of cool things to come!! Be sure to stay tuned and make sure you follow @Reebok
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 2, 2014
Crazy… #reebok #ufc #uniform http://t.co/uhIj0DZz7d
— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) December 2, 2014
Finally got my @reebok sponsorship, Now bringing back the @shaq pump shoe #CountryPump @ufc http://t.co/BSNYDOBJX7
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) December 2, 2014
I’d say I’m one of the biggest draws outside the UFC if any of the companies that just got shafted want to stay in the MMA market #ImHere
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) December 2, 2014
Every fighter be like……… reebok @ufc http://t.co/TDIMppw4ox
— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) December 2, 2014
UFC knows most fighters live off of sponsors and they will find a way to compensate or come close to that I’m sure.
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) December 2, 2014
Looks like al be digging the old pumps out pic.twitter.com/ZSiIiYpWRn
— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) December 2, 2014
UFC/Reebok will be a step towards the future. Sponsors are hard to come by, if u worked management what do u think @SamCaplanMMA @manny_mma
— AJ Matthews (@AJ_MMA) December 2, 2014
So #UFC is implementing designated walk out uniforms! Anyone in the UFC wanna send the sponsors they are losing my way 😉
— David Rickels (@TheCaveman316) December 2, 2014
More reasons why I am close to leaving the sport of MMA, it’s just not what it use to be
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) December 2, 2014
How many MMA clothing brands will go out of business now???? Any guesses?? I feel bad for all of them I truly do
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) December 2, 2014
I just don’t think the uniform is the way to go, another way to kill small businesses and big business to take over
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) December 2, 2014
Don’t know enough about the @Reebok deal to have an opinion, but I think I need some classic pumps #shoegameonpoint
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) December 2, 2014
Torque will continue to support our #UFC fighters as well as our team in all extreme sports! @UrijahFaber @tjlavin @jbmma155 @AnthonyNapo
— Torque (@Torque1net) December 2, 2014
Excited for the @Reebok @ufc deal. Big step for MMA, can’t wait to see how it all shakes out. #gamechanger
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) December 2, 2014
I like @ufc @danawhite uniform deal.just brings more legitimacy to MMA in theUFC.Just like NFL,NBA We all know UFC will have best uniform 2
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) December 2, 2014
I am in it to Fight ..I don’t care about what I wear and who’s on my trunks or who gets what’s spot .I just want to win fights to make my $$
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) December 2, 2014