In our search of the internets to find the latest mixed martial arts news, we ran across this interesting tidbit from MMAPayout.com, who noticed that the TapouT clothing brand was no where to be seen during Saturday nights UFC 125 pay per view event.
For those readers not familiar with MMAPayout.com, they are a site dedicated to the financial and business aspects of mixed martial arts from marketing to the latest business deals that affect the sport.
TapouT was clearly absent as one of the big sponsors from last nights UFC 125 event while rival company Dethrone picked up the slack and was very visible at the event.
MMAPayout.com speculated that the clothing companies absence may have been do to their recent acquisition by Authentic Brands Group, who also owns Silver Star and Hitman Fight Gear, who may be renegotiating their contract with the UFC.
Thanks to our Twitter following, it was pointed out that Tapout was no where to be seen on this card. We haven’t seen a whole lot from Tapout since UFC 118 in August. ABG acquired Tapout, along with Hitman and Silver Star, late last year. I suspect the absence of these brands is the result of an on-going negotiation to renew and expand the official clothing deal that Tapout holds. The UFC-Tapout partnership has been mutually beneficial and I’d expect a renewal to get done shortly. The only way it doesn’t happen is if the UFC can swing something with an even larger athletic apparel company like Under Armour (the brand fit is incredible and could be an excellent strike for UA in its on-going battle with Nike and Adidas). However, I don’t have any solid information to suggest there have been any substantive talks.
It’s an interesting take on the situation as TapouT has been there alongside the UFC as both companies skyrocketed into popularity.
I think we’ll know if negotiations have gone poorly if we see TapouT, Silver Star, or Hitman appearing at either of this months Strikeforce events.