The Memento Group launches UFC Collectibles memorabilia platform

The Memento Group has launched its new memorabilia platform, dedicated to official licensed UFC memorabilia. The new online ecommerce platform, UFC Collectibles, features an extensive and exclusive collection of authentic UFC memorabilia. Under the terms of the agreement brokered by IMG, TMG has become UFC’s global distributor of official licensed UFC memorabilia.

Last year, the Memento Group announced a multi-year partnership deal with UFC – the world’s leading mixed martial arts organisation – which allows it to host a new website in collaboration with the popular combat sport. TMG will offer fans access to exclusive, limited-edition and rare pieces of UFC event memorabilia, from fight-worn gloves and fight kits, to fight night posters and photographs signed by their favourite UFC athletes.

Items will each feature an authentic hologram that can be registered digitally and which will be accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. All products will be delivered to customers in premium packaging for the ultimate experience.

UFC has more than 625 million fans and 166 million social media followers. The organisation produces more than 40 live events annually, while broadcasting to nearly 900 million TV households across more than 175 countries.

Philip Danglidis, Commercial Director of The Memento Group, commented: “We’re excited to finally reveal UFC Collectibles, our new venture in partnership with UFC. Our new platform will present unrivalled memorabilia to fans of UFC all over the world, delivering the action of the Octagon directly into their hands.

“With this new memorabilia experience, we hope to give fans the chance to own their favourite moments, bringing them closer to UFC than ever before.”

UFC Collectibles is now live with plans for more products to land on the site throughout 2022 and beyond.

UFC names The Memento Group official global memorabilia partner

Mixed martial arts organisation the UFC and The Memento Group (TMG), a global leader in sports memorabilia and licensed products, have announced a multi-year partnership in which TMG will become the global distributor of officially licensed UFC memorabilia. The agreement was brokered by UFC’s licensing agency IMG.

Under the terms of the agreement, TMG will offer fans access to exclusive, limited edition and rare pieces of UFC event memorabilia, from fight-worn gloves and fight kits, to fight-night posters and photographs signed by their favorite UFC athletes. Items will be hologrammed, registered digitally, and accompanied with a certificate of authenticity as confirmation of their source. All products will be contained within premium packaging for the ultimate customer experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome The Memento Group as our new global memorabilia partner,” says Tracey Bleczinski, Senior Vice President, UFC Global Consumer Products. “The memorabilia business is a priority because these products are such authentic touchpoints for fans to stay connected to UFC and truly own the moment. With TMG’s expertise in this space, we are confident fans will appreciate the quality, authenticity and value of each piece of UFC memorabilia that TMG offers.”

Philip Danglidis, Commercial Director of The Memento Group, commented: “UFC is a truly global sporting phenomenon and we are delighted to be embarking with them on this new exciting journey – one that will bring fans even closer to the sport they love via the opportunity to own certified and authenticated memorabilia. Our proven track record not only assures customers that they are getting the genuine article, but with our guaranteed methods of authentication, we also help to protect their investment.

“UFC has a worldwide fanbase estimated at more than 625 million people, and it’s now clearly one of the Big Four in terms of popularity in the U.S. The appeal of UFC is growing year on year. As such, the potential for this partnership is colossal. This announcement is only the beginning of what’s to come, and we look forward to revealing more in 2022 and beyond.”

On January 1, 2022, UFC and TMG will launch an online store that will serve as a dedicated marketplace for UFC fans to shop hundreds of ready-to-buy items or trade unique UFC-licensed products, providing a secure, trustworthy platform for buyers. The website will also allow fans to bid for UFC memorabilia by auction. The website, which will be built and managed by TMG, will provide a single point solution for all UFC official memorabilia.

 

 

UFC launches global consumer rewards programme on licensed products with Fabacus

The technology start-up, Fabacus has partnered with the mixed martial arts organisation, UFC, to launch a global consumer rewards programme for fans purchasing UFC licensed products.

In a deal brokered by IMG, the Fabacus platform – which connects global brand owners with their consumers – will supply the technology to enable fans worldwide to redeem an array of exclusive UFC experiences, rewards, and content.

Through Fabacus, UFC will have the potential to engage on a one-to-one bases with its global fanbase of some 625 million followers, by offering them access top the programme. This programme will feature rewards including UFC’s new exclusive outfitting and apparel partner VENUM, along with other brands signing up with the platform later in the year.

Andrew Xeni, CEO and founder of Fabacus, said: “We’re delighted that UFC has chosen Fabacus to further enrich the experience of UFC fans throughout the world. We believe this is the first time a global licensor has been able to curate a campaign in this unique way, simultaneously across multiple partners, categories, and territories, delivering personalised experiences to the fans that are buying their licensed products.

“Our platform has been developed to forge ever closer relationships between brands, their partners, and consumers. We’re pleased to be part of something that will benefit all parties.”

Matthew Primack, SVP licensing, IMG, said: “IMG has assisted the UFC in reaching new levels of consumer engagement through licensed consumer products. By offering UFC fans rewards for purchasing authentic product, the UFC brand is enhanced while fans are appreciated for their support.

“This is achieved through an innovative experiential rewards program designed and delivered in collaboration with Fabacus. The first live UFC redemption campaigns have delivered impressive results and we look forward to exploring more brand- enhancing and value-adding experiences for our clients in the future.”

Consumers will be presented with the opportunity to redeem rewards through Acoustix, the UFC Ultimate Sound music and media app provider, which will play a vital role in the rewards programme.

Xeni formed Fabacus in 2016 to bring innovative ways of working to the retail and licensing landscape. Fabacus has since gone from strength to strength, working with a growing community of partners and establishing a global headquarters in Soho Square, London.

Jazwares extends its UFC partnership to bring Conor McGregor and Jorge Masvidal into the ring

The global toy company, Jazwares, has extended its partnership with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, UFC, to launch a new range of collectable figures courtesy of Ringside Collectibles.

Under the latest deal, popular UFC fighters Conor McGregor, Jorge Masvidal, Amanda Nunes, Francise Ngannou, Israel Adesanya, and Urijah Faber now join the line-up.

The UFC Ultimate Series limited-edition figures by Jazwares have been billed as ‘the most detailed, realistic, and sophisticated representations of UFC athletes’, allowing fans and collectors to re-create the thrill of fight night with the UFC articulated fighter figures.

Each fighter features character-authentic details including tattoo-like-details, weight class body types, and realistic facial expressions. The 6.5-inch UFC collectibles come with two sets of removable hands and two removable heads. They also come with a fighter-specific flag, UFC champion belt, or other unique fighter accessories.

This new collection comes after the first launch featuring current and former UFC champions including UFC lightweight champion Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones, former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, former featherweight champion Max Holloway and UFC lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

UFC taps Panini America as its official collectable trading card partner

The mixed martial arts organisation, UFC has entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with Panini America to become the brand’s official and exclusive collectable trading card partner.

Under the new deal secured by IMG, Panini America – recognised as the world’s largest licensed sports and entertainment collectables company – will launch its official UFC collection this April with the roll-out of the UFC Prizm collectable series. Panini will also add UFC trading cards to other popular product lines such as Select, Contenders, and Immaculate throughout the year.

“We are thrilled to welcome Panini America as UFC’s new official collectible trading card partner,” said UFC senior vice president of global consumer products, Tracey Bleczinski.

“Many of our fans use collectible trading cards to stay connected to our brand and to their favorite UFC athletes, and Panini America is the industry leader, creating innovative and unique products for our fans to enjoy.”

Panini America CEO, Mark Warsop, added: “This truly is a dream match-up that brings together the unquestioned leaders of trading cards and combat sports for a partnership that will excite and captivate UFC fans and collectors across the globe for years.

“We’ve watched with great interest over the years as UFC has grown into a major force on the mainstream sports landscape with some of the most marketable athletes in the world.

“We’re passionate UFC fans here at Panini America, and we’re excited about what we can do with the UFC brand and the athletes on our trading cards. We’re looking forward to this relationship.”

As part of the partnership, Panini America will capitalize on UFC’s biggest moments in real-time with the company’s direct-to-consumer Panini Instant platform. Panini Instant makes trading cards of UFC’s biggest fights, moments and milestones available just hours after they happen. These special cards will be available for a limited time and are made to order.

UFC names Venum its new exclusive outfitting and apparel partner

The global designer, marketer and distributor of combat sports apparel and accessories, Venum, has been named the exclusive global outfitting and apparel partner for the mixed martial arts organisation, MMA.

In a deal brokered by IMG’s licensing business – the exclusive representatives of UFC – the partnership will commence in 2021.

UFC athletes will debut the new Venum-designed UFC Fight Kits inside the Octagon in April 2021. To coincide with this debut, Venum-designed apparel will be made available for sale at retail outlets around the world and online.

UFC’s outfitting policy is administered through its Promotional Guidelines Compliance program. The organisation will adjust the pay scale tied to its Promotional Guidelines Compliance program, which will result in across the board increases for all athletes effective April 2021.

UFC’s existing outfitting and apparel partnership with Reebok, the global fitness brand, expires in March 2021. Reebok will continue to serve as the official footwear provider of UFC through the end of next calendar year.

“We’re pumped that Venum will be joining us as our new exclusive global outfitting and apparel partner,” said UFC President Dana White. “Venum is an Iconic combat sports brand that understands the unique needs of MMA athletes. Franck Dupuis and his team at Venum have the technical knowledge and experience that will produce world-class UFC Fight Kits and apparel. We’re looking forward to collaborating with them on this next evolution of UFC’s outfitting program.”

Dupuis, Venum CEO and founder, added: “Joining UFC as its official outfitting and apparel partner means a great deal to the Venum team.

“Venum is a brand that has grown alongside the sport of MMA as it has exploded in popularity around the world. We are both proud and grateful, as this agreement signifies the success of our journey over the past fifteen years. At Venum, we are ecstatic to write the next chapter in our history.”

Added White: “We appreciate the partnership with Reebok over the past six years. It was a ground-breaking deal that elevated both of our brands. We’re pleased that Reebok will continue with us as the official footwear provider of UFC through 2021.”

The Venum/UFC Fight Kits and apparel line will be high quality MMA gear and performance apparel specifically designed and developed for UFC’s world-class athletes competing inside the Octagon.

Jazwares to launch first action figure and role play toy line for UFC

Toymaker Jazwares has joined forces with the global mixed martial arts organisation, UFC, to bring the world of this adrenaline fuelled sport to the action figures and role-play aisles. Available for pre-sale at Ringside Collectibles, the Jazwares UFC collectable line will be landing on Amazon in the coming weeks, and into Walmart stores from early August.

The collectables line features current and former UFC champions including UFC lightweight champion Khabib ‘The Eagle’ Nurmagomedov, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones, and former UFC featherweight and lightweight champion ‘The Notorious’ Conor McGregor.

Additional fighters such as former light heavyweight and heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier, former featherweight champion Max Holloway and UFC lightweight Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone are also featured in the collection.

The UFC Ultimate Series limited-edition figures by Jazwares are billed as  ‘the most detailed, realistic, and sophisticated representations of UFC athletes’. Each figure features the athlete’s true-to-life details including any tattoos, their respective weight classes and realistic facial expressions. These popular athletes also come with two sets of removable hands, each with UFC gloves, feature interchangeable heads and over 30 points of articulation.

“With an extensive roster of iconic UFC champions, this unveiling is unmatched. This new line of collectible figures will allow UFC fans, both kids and collectors, to engage and replicate the biggest UFC super-fight showdowns,” said Laura Zebersky, chief commercial officer, Jazwares.

“The collectibles celebrate the history and icons of the UFC today, and so we’re glad to bring this to life and offer fans authentic action figures that they can keep forever.”

UFC senior vice president, global consumer products, Tracey Bleczinski, added: “Jazwares is a great partner and UFC is pleased to offer fans this new line of limited-edition action figures to celebrate some of the greatest athletes and moments in UFC history.”

Today’s launch at retail includes the first wave of seven 6″ premium figures of iconic UFC athletes. Additional products will debut at retail in Fall 2020, including figures, plush, an Octagon playset and role play items such as the UFC Legacy Championship Belt.