Thursday, September 17, 2026

UFC and DraftKings Join The Fight

  • The UFC has pinned down its first official deal with a sportsbook.
  • The mixed martial arts promotion has agreed to a five-year partnership with DraftKings.
UFC and sportsbook DraftKings come together on a partnership.
DraftKings, Handout Photo-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

UFC pinned down its first official deal with a sportsbook.

DraftKings advertised during UFC fights last year in Abu Dhabi, but this agreement takes their partnership to new heights.

The mixed martial arts promotion and DraftKings have entered a five-year partnership in a deal worth more than $100 million, per Sportico. The deal also encompasses a $250 million commitment to promote DraftKings’ UFC products.

“These guys have a platform that is second-to-none,” said Lawrence Epstein, COO of UFC to Sportico. “And that’s what makes this deal so groundbreaking.”

DraftKings gets rights to UFC logos for use across its betting and fantasy products, and the sports betting brand will be promoted on the octagon canvas at select UFC events.

UFC and sportsbook partnership will be on full display for the first time this weekend at UFC 259.

“This is the most important deal we’ve ever done to increase engagement with our fans and reach new ones, and I’m looking forward to all the exciting things we’re going to do with DraftKings over the next few years,” said UFC President Dana White.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jason Robins Front Office Sports

DraftKings CEO Fires Back at Headline Calling Company ‘Struggling’

“We’re doing great,” Jason Robins said in response to the article.
First at FOS

WNBA Union Rips NBA for Exclusion From Betting Letter

Five men’s sports leagues sent a memo to regulators about betting-related harassment.
Exclusive

Novig CEO Says Sydney Sweeney Drove Visuals of Nude Ad

“We never intended to portray female sports,” Jacob Fortinsky told FOS.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/17/26 – CFB Ratings Surge, Joe Buck’s $108M Deal, Knicks Ticket Shock

0:00

Featured Today

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are foregoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
September 4, 2026

Wild Transfer Window Shows How Premier League Towers Over Soccer

Spending in England vastly outstripped the rest of Europe.
September 3, 2026

Teams Are Spending Millions to Build Luxury Locker Rooms

It’s a recruiting pitch, a retention tool, and a seven-figure line item.

Female Athletes Rail Against Sydney Sweeney Nude Novig Ad

Pro and amateur female athletes say the spot sexualizes women in sports.
September 9, 2026

Prediction Market Ad Blitz Gets Backlash

Platforms are trying to capitalize on the start of the NFL season.
September 10, 2026

Novig CEO: Sydney Sweeney Ad Puts Us in ‘National Discourse’

Sweeney got equity in the company, and the racy ad went viral.
Sponsored

Drew Weatherford’s Bet on the Youth Sports Economy

Drew Weatherford discusses investing across the youth, college and professional levels.
LeBron James acknowledges the crowd's reaction as he takes the stage for the I PROMISE Family Reunion event to welcome him home on Friday at InfoCision Stadium in Akron. The event was hosted by the LeBron James Family Foundation.
September 5, 2026

LeBron James Jumps to Polymarket From DraftKings

His endorsement deal with DraftKings expired earlier this summer.
First at FOS
September 3, 2026

Three Big Tennis Tournaments Are in Prediction-Market Talks

Players are not allowed to partner with betting operators.
Aug 13, 2026; Metairie, LA, USA; Detailed view of the NFL logo on the football during a joint scrimmage between the New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars during at Ochsner Sports Performance Center
August 27, 2026

NFL Won’t Reach Prediction-Market Deals Before Start of Season

“I would be incredibly shocked if anything at all happens this season.”
Sports are shown on TVs behind a bar as guests enjoy the grand opening of DraftKings Sports & Social in Ohio.
August 7, 2026

DraftKings, FanDuel Downplay Prediction-Market Cannibalization

Traditional sportsbooks have a new set of competitors.