The UFC generates record revenue in 2022 according to reports
The UFC continues to grow year-on-year, delivering solid numbers and thrilling action that fight fans worldwide crave. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has its sights set on several countries with significant growth potential. One of these nations is France, which legalised mixed martial arts in 2018 due to the UFC’s lobbying efforts. The UFC believes that Mexico, China, and several African nations are ready for additional investment in the form of live events or the construction of performance institutes to identify and develop talent.
During a Tuesday earnings call, Endeavor disclosed that the UFC was once again its most profitable division. The combined revenue of all of Endeavor’s owned sports businesses in the fourth quarter was $301.4 million, an increase of nine percent over the same period in 2021. This includes the UFC and Professional Bull Riders.
The UFC was a major contributor to the owned sports properties’ $1.3 billion in income in 2018, an increase of $224.1 million (or 20%) from 2021.
“Both organizations recorded record revenue last year,” Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel said. “All 21 UFC events with live audiences sold out, continuing a 29 event sell out streak since returning from the pandemic. UFC posted its best sponsorship year ever in 2022, unlocking new categories and inventory to reach a fan base that grew double digits over 2021 in the U.S. [Via MMA Fighting]
“It also continues to be an industry leader in digital engagement. UFC’s social media accounts now have over 220 million followers combined. TikTok followers alone grew 55 percent year over year.”
Chief Finance Officer Jason Lublin reported that the UFC’s run of sellout shows continued unabated in 2022, and that the resumption of UFC Fight Night cards outside of the UFC APEX contributed to even more record-breaking statistics for live gates.
“UFC set 11 arena records for highest-grossing events, including four of the highest grossing Fight Nights in the U.S. and the two highest grossing Fight Nights in UFC history, both at London’s O2 Arena. UFC also had its highest sponsorship sales in the company’s history,” Lublin said. “We added several new sponsors to our roster like V-Chain, New Amsterdam Vodka, and Project Rock. We also introduced new categories like the official commercial truck, the official law firm, and the official ready-to-drink partners of the UFC.”
Dana White reveals that the UFC is set to open a new training facility in Mexico
Recently, UFC made public its plans to invest millions in an MMA academy in Mexico City, with construction scheduled to be completed by year’s end 2023. The new UFC Performance Institute, located on Torrey Pines Drive just off the 215 Beltway, is planned to be about the same size as the original, in Las Vegas.
Dana White, president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, has stated that this new development will expand the organization’s training and resources to Latin America. In a news release earlier last week, White said:
“Some of the greatest athletes in combat sports history have come from Mexico. Our teams at the PI are the best in the world at what they do, and we know that by making the resources and training available in the country. Mexico can become one of the greatest sources of MMA talent in the world.”
Mexican and other Latin American athletes, who account for over 20% of the UFC’s active roster, will be given special attention and resources at the training centre. The new facility will be the group’s third educational centre. The first location, in Las Vegas, Nevada, opened in 2017, and the second, a 93,000-square-foot building, will welcome customers in Shanghai, China, in 2019.
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