Meta and UFC Forge Multimillion-Dollar Partnership to Revolutionize Fan Experience with AI and Smart Glasses

Meta, UFC Sign Deal to Bring Exclusive Content to AI Glasses, Threads

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg watches a UFC fight (Credit: Sean M. Haffey / Staff / Getty Images Sports via Getty Images) Meta has signed a deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to become its "official fan technology partner" and offer exclusive content across its products. The multimillion-dollar, multi-year deal will seek to distribute UFC content, some of it exclusive, through Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. "Through this partnership, Threads will serve as the primary destination for the UFC community, featuring exclusive original content that drives conversation around the biggest moments of each UFC event and providing a dedicated space for fans to share perspectives and engage with one another," says the UFC. Meta will also become the official AI glasses partner for the UFC, according to CNBC, building on the popularity of its Ray-Ban specs. "Mark and his team at Meta are going to do things that will blow away UFC fans," says UFC President and CEO Dana White, who joined Meta's board in January. In an Instagram video, White teased the rollout of a "fighter-ranking system" this year. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a big UFC fan. Last year, he challenged X owner Elon Musk to a cage match in Las Vegas, but it never happened. "I love this sport, and I'm looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways," Zuckerberg said today. It's unclear if Meta will livestream UFC fights, which could be pretty next-level to watch via smart glasses. More likely, Meta will create supplementary marketing content that aims "to immerse fans deeper into UFC content than ever before," the UFC says. Fans can expect Meta branding to feature prominently inside the UFC's Octagon ring during pay-per-view and "Fight Night" events. Netflix is currently a top contender to take over the UFC's media rights from ESPN when that contract expires later this month, Sports Illustrated reports. Amazon also streams MMA fights on Prime Video through its partnership with the ONE Championship, and offers some NFL, MLB, Nascar, NBA, and WNBA games.

UFC signs multimillion-dollar partnership deal with Meta

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) on Tuesday signed a multimillion dollar partnership deal with Meta, Facebook's parent company, with the goal of restructuring their fan experience to include artificial intelligence (AI). UFC will use a wide range of their platforms including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads to connect with patrons online and at in person events. "Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level. We've already started to work on some innovations with Meta around a new fighter rankings system that I'll be sharing soon," UFC President and CEO Dana White said in a release. "The next few years will be an absolute game changer for fans of this sport," he added. White joined Meta's Board of Directors in January where he will help oversee the company's internal growth. The UFC CEO's new role marks the first time he's joined an outside board, underscoring the budding friendship with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Facebook founder lauded his formal collaboration with the aggrandized fighting league. "I love this sport and I'm looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways," Zuckerberg said in a statement. Meta's Instagram Threads platform is set to feature exclusive UFC content alongside the company's Octagon, blockchain ecosystem, in addition to extensive activations in all Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights. Additional elements of the partnership are forthcoming according to their Tuesday release. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Neither company immediately responded to The Hill's request for comment on the value of the contract.

Meta Signs on to Be UFC's First 'Fan Technology Partner'

UFC CEO Dana White was one of three new board members elected to Meta's Board of Directors earlier this year. Meta Platforms (META) has agreed to a deal to become a technology partner with TKO Group's (TKO) Ultimate Fighting Championship, the companies said Wednesday. The companies did not announce any specific promotions in the press release, but said UFC will be able to use Meta platforms and technology like Facebook, Instagram, and the Meta Quest virtual reality headset to "immerse fans deeper into UFC content than ever before." Meta's artificial intelligence glasses that it makes in partnership with Ray-Ban will also be used at future UFC events. Threads, Meta's text-based social media, will also "serve as the primary destination for the UFC community," the companies said. During the development of Threads in 2023, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla (TSLA) CEO Elon Musk had an online public spat nearly escalate into a real life mixed martial arts match, as the sides reportedly contacted UFC CEO Dana White about organizing a fight at the time. Earlier this year, White was one of three new members elected to Meta's Board of Directors. Meta shares were little changed Wednesday morning, while TKO Group's stock rose more than 1%, with each stock down from record highs set in February.

UFC Picks Mark Zuckerberg's Meta As Official Technology Partner, Joins Forces To Revolutionize Fan Engagement: 'Smart Glasses Could Be The Next Computing Platform' - Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META), NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA)

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a subsidiary of TKO Group Holdings TKO, has entered into a multi-year partnership with tech giant Meta Platforms META to transform fan engagement using Meta's advanced technology. What Happened: The UFC announced that Mark Zuckerberg's Meta is now the UFC's first Official Fan Technology Partner. The partnership will utilize Meta's technology platforms, services, and products, such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Threads, Meta AI, Meta Glasses, and Meta Quest, to deliver an unparalleled immersive UFC experience for fans. Meta will also serve as the Official AI Glasses Partner of UFC, bringing the innovative application of its AI glasses to UFC events. "Mark and his team at Meta are going to do things that will blow away UFC fans," said UFC President and CEO Dana White. The partnership will incorporate Meta into UFC assets through extensive activations across all Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights, featuring brand placement in the Octagon®, multiple broadcast integrations, and engaging in-arena fan experiences. Threads, Meta's text-based platform for public discussions, will be an Official Social Media Partner of the UFC, acting as the main hub for the UFC community and offering exclusive original content. See Also: What's Going On With Carvana Stock Today? Why It Matters: This partnership marks a significant step for Meta in its quest to expand beyond being a social media powerhouse. The partnership with UFC, which has a global fan base exceeding 700 million and over 300 million social media followers, could greatly accelerate Meta's expansion into wearable technology, especially in virtual and augmented reality. Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses, launched in late 2023, have sold over 2 million units. While not a major revenue source yet, they are strategically important for Meta's AI ambitions. Powered by the Llama AI model, the glasses and Meta AI chatbot aim to enhance user engagement and improve ad targeting. CNBC's Paulina Likos stated, "Big picture Zuckerberg has a long-term vision that smart glasses could be the next computing platform, much like the smartphone ushered in the mobile computing era." Interestingly, this development comes on the heels of the news that Meta's AI Chief, Joelle Pineau, is exiting the company in May. Meta holds a momentum rating of 80.75% and a growth rating of 74.80%, according to Benzinga's Proprietary Edge Rankings. For an in-depth report on more stocks and insights into growth opportunities, sign up for Benzinga Edge. Read Next: Nvidia Stock Is Down Nearly 20% YTD: What's Going On? Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. METAMeta Platforms Inc$563.60-3.48%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum79.59Growth74.72Quality-Value41.23Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewNVDANVIDIA Corp$106.00-4.00%TKOTKO Group Holdings Inc$152.52-3.82%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

TKO Group Stock Pops On UFC Deal With Meta: The Details - TKO Group Holdings (NYSE:TKO)

TKO Group Holdings Inc TKO shares are trading higher Wednesday after the company announced a multiyear partnership with Meta Platforms Inc META. What Happened: The UFC, which is part of TKO Group, announced a multi-year deal with Meta to leverage its technologies to deliver new engagement with UFC fans globally. Meta will collaborate with the UFC, offering Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Threads to fans. The company will also become the official AI glasses partner of the UFC and will work to creatively use AI glasses at UFC events. "I've had a lot of great partners over the years that have helped us grow this sport, but Mark and his team at Meta are going to do things that will blow away UFC fans," said Dana White, UFC president and CEO. "Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level. We've already started to work on some innovations with Meta around a new fighter rankings system that I'll be sharing soon." Meta will be integrated into UFC assets with extensive activations in all Pay-Per-Views and Fight Nights, including brand placement in the Octagon, broadcast features and in-arena fan experiences. Check This Out: Private Employment Beats Expectations In March As Labor Market Shrugs Off Tariff Worries Threads will also become the official social media partner of the UFC, serving as the primary destination for the UFC community. Threads will offer exclusive original content that drives conversation around individual UFC events. UFC and Meta said additional details of the partnership will be announced as the teams work together on innovations and enhancements to the UFC experience. White joined Meta's board near the start of the year. "I've never been interested in joining a board of directors until I got the offer to join Meta's board. I am a huge believer that social media and AI are the future," White said in January. "I am very excited to join this incredible team and to learn more about this business from the inside. There is nothing I love more than building brands, and I look forward to helping take Meta to the next level." TKO Price Action: TKO Group shares were up 0.66% at $153.86 at the time of publication Wednesday, according to Benzinga Pro. Read Next: EXCLUSIVE: March's 20 Most-Searched Tickers On Benzinga Pro -- Where Do Tesla, Nvidia, Apple, Applovin Stock Rank? Photo: Maxim Elramsisy/Shutterstock. TKOTKO Group Holdings Inc$154.571.03%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum94.78Growth74.01Quality-Value2.35Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewMETAMeta Platforms Inc$587.110.19%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs

Dana White and Mark Zuckerberg Strike a Deal to Get Meta in Business With UFC

UFC is now officially in business with the tech giant Meta Platforms Inc. The TKO-owned mixed martial arts promotion says that the Mark Zuckerberg-controlled tech company has signed on to become its first "official fan technology partner," a multiyear deal that will leverage Meta's platforms and products "to immerse fans deeper into UFC content than ever before." The deal will include brand placement inside the UFC's famous Octagon, broadcast features, and integrations into all UFC events. Meta, of course, owns Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, as well as Meta AI, Meta Glasses and Meta Quest mixed reality devices. As part of the deal Meta will be the "Official AI Glasses Partner of UFC" and will integrate their glasses in new ways at UFC events. Zuckerberg is a big MMA fan, and an active participant, having been trained by some UFC veterans and competed in some local events. "I love this sport and I'm looking forward to working with the UFC to let fans experience it in new ways," said Zuckerberg in a statement. White, meanwhile, has become a friend to Zuckerberg, and earlier this year was named to Meta's board of directors, the first time White has joined an outside board. "I've had a lot of great partners over the years that have helped us grow this sport, but Mark and his team at Meta are going to do things that will blow away UFC fans," said White. "Meta has the greatest minds in tech and they are going to take fan engagement to the next level. We've already started to work on some innovations with Meta around a new fighter rankings system that I'll be sharing soon. The next few years will be an absolute game changer for fans of this sport." The Meta partnership comes at a significant moment for UFC, which is in its exclusive negotiating window for TV and streaming rights with ESPN. Many in the industry suspect ESPN will let the rights window lapse, allowing UFC to begin discussions with other potential partners. The Meta deal underscores that White and the MMA giant aren't resting on their laurels.

TKO's UFC partners with Zukerberg's Meta for multiyear deal; shares pop By Investing.com

Investing.com -- TKO's UFC has inked a multiyear partnership with technology giant Meta, marking the first time UFC has named an Official Fan Technology Partner and an Official AI Glasses Partner. This news was followed by a 1.3% rise in TKO's premarket trading. The partnership will encompass a range of Meta's products, including Meta AI, Meta Glasses, Meta Quest, Facebook (NASDAQ:META), Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads. Threads has been designated as an Official Social Media Partner of UFC and is set to become the "primary destination" for the UFC community. As part of the partnership, Threads will host exclusive content and facilitate fan conversations. Additionally, UFC and Meta are collaborating to develop a new fighter rankings system. The details of this system are yet to be disclosed. This partnership represents a significant move for both UFC and Meta, as they expand their reach and influence in their respective industries.