• Loading stock data...
Sunday, August 31, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

UFC’s Six-Year Run With Reebok KO’d

  • Francis Ngannou’s knockout of Stipe Miocic marked the end of UFC’s apparel run with Reebok.
  • UFC said that there would be “across the board increases” in money paid to fighters under the a new deal with Venum.
Venum/Design: Alex Brooks

Francis Ngannou’s second-round knockout of heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic at Saturday’s UFC 260 marked the official end of the sport’s six-year apparel run with Reebok. 

Venum, a brand known well to those who follow MMA, will now take over as exclusive global outfitting and apparel partner — a deal that reportedly won’t be as lucrative or long as UFC’s deal with Reebok.

The Reebok agreement was worth upward of $80 million over the life of the partnership. Fighters received much of the money generated from the deal that created the fighter incentive program, which coincided with the ban on fighters promoting other clothing and brands during fight week.

When the Venum deal was first announced last July, UFC said that there would be “across the board increases” in money paid to fighters under the deal. 

The UFC’s fighter incentive program paid fighters between $3,500 to $40,000 per fight appearance, a total of about $40 million over the six years. UFC president Dana White called the Reebok-UFC partnership “groundbreaking” and said that it “elevated” both brands when he bid it farewell. 

Roughly half the value of the Reebok deal came from merchandise to outfit fighters and members of their teams. A person with knowledge of the deal told Front Office Sports that the Reebok deal didn’t cover the full cost of the fighter incentive program. 

Venum and UFC haven’t released images of the fight kits and apparel that fighters will wear starting in April, although a look at the gear leaked on Twitter earlier this month.

Reebok will remain the official UFC footwear provider through the end of 2021.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Puma headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany

Puma Up for Grabs As Largest Shareholder Considers Exit

Reports say the company could be up for sale. Experts aren’t surprised.
Jul 19, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, UNITED STATES; Dan Ige (red gloves) fights against Patricio Pitbull (blue gloves) during UFC 318 at Smoothie King Center.

Why Paramount Overpaid for UFC Media Rights

Analysts and experts agree the deal is a huge win for UFC.
Jan 12, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; CBS Sports field reporter Tracy Wolfson interviews Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) following a win over the Denver Broncos in an AFC wild card game at Highmark Stadium.

CBS Sports Chief on Paramount Owners: ‘They Value Sports’

Network officials cite the UFC deal as immediate proof of corporate priorities.

Featured Today

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
June 24, 2025

Timberwolves’ 4-Year Ownership Saga Ends As A-Rod, Lore Take Over

The unanimous approval brought a clean end to a long-disputed transaction.
Apr 26, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Houston Rockets guard Fred VanVleet (5) before game three of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center.
June 25, 2025

Rockets Get $20 Million in Wiggle Room From New VanVleet Deal

VanVleet first signed with the Rockets in 2023.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
April 20, 2025

Max Verstappen Linked to $300M Aston Martin Deal Ahead of Miami GP

Aston Martin is currently seventh in the constructors championship.
March 27, 2025

Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions Gets PE Boost

The Hall of Famer’s company gains another prominent backer.
March 20, 2025

High School Sports Power Signs Eight-Figure Rights Deal in First

The deal pays roughly $1 million annually, FOS has learned.
March 20, 2025

Maxx Crosby’s Agent: Edge Rushers Set to Dominate NFL’s Non-QB Market

Maxx Crosby just signed a three-year, $106.5 million extension.