The announcement comes days before UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2 on Saturday night, the basis for the first NFT packs to come from the agreement.
UFC and Crypto.com have announced a major expansion of their current partnership, which will bring exclusive UFC NFTs to the platform beginning on Thursday, according to a release.
The deal includes a multi-year licensing agreement for the NFTs and 50% of UFC’s revenue from the sales will go directly to the athletes.
It all starts with the drop of the UFC 268 packs — a series of digital collectibles that will include champion belts as well as event and fight posters based on UFC 268: Usman vs. Covington 2, which will happen Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Collectors can also be automatically entered into a sweepstakes depending on their purchases. Prizes range from a $50 gift card to an exclusive UFC Belt NFT.
“UFC is the fastest growing sport in the world, and NFTs are simultaneously surging in popularity as fans look for new and unique ways to connect with the sport, the fighters and the broader UFC community,” Steven Kalifowitz, Crypto.com’s CMO, said in the release. “UFC has been an amazing partner, and we’re excited to expand our relationship while ensuring that the fighters themselves are benefitting directly, an integral part of our commitment to ensuring that crypto is a tool for financial empowerment for all.”
The two sides initially partnered up in July when Crypto.com became UFC’s first-ever global Official Fight Kit Partner.
“Crypto.com is an amazing partner and it speaks volumes about their ingenuity, foresight, and marketplace leadership that we are already expanding our relationship after only a few months,” UFC Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Products Tracey Bleczinski said in the release. “NFTs are an exciting expansion of UFC’s strong collectible marketplace and an innovative and authentic way for our passionate fans to stay connected to the UFC brand.”
UFC and Crypto.com say that future NFTs will also include unique fighter collections, avatars, artist collaborations, mystery boxes, and athlete profiles.
The NFTs will be available for purchase here.
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