Moscow - The Russia-China Investment Fund, Mubadala Investment Company (UAE), and UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) have created a joint venture which will focus on the development and expansion of UFC’s mixed martial arts (MMA) business in Russia and CIS countries.
The venture will engage in the promotion of MMA events under the UFC brand as well as other aspects of UFC’s MMA business in the territory of the Russian Federation and CIS countries, including consumer products licensing, media rights, e-commerce, and sponsorship.
Kirill Dmitriev, co-CEO of RCIF, CEO of RDIF, said:
"We are pleased that our American partners appreciated the attractiveness of the Russian market. MMA is one of the most popular sports in Russia, and there are many worthy athletes who can represent our country in the international arena. I am sure that cooperation with the UFC will be attractive not only from the investment perspective but will also make a significant contribution to the development of Russian sports."
David Shaw, Senior Vice President, International and Content of UFC, said:
"This partnership will be a tremendous boost to the sport of MMA in Russia and the CIS. We’re excited to collaborate with Kirill Dmitriev and his team to grow UFC’s brand in these key markets and serve the millions of MMA fans in this part of the world."
In addition, Russia-based Mixed Martial Arts promotion M-1 Global will also participate in the development and scouting of new MMA talent from the region to potentially compete in future UFC events.
Vadim Finkelstein, President of M-1 Global, said:
"We are looking forward to working together with UFC and RCIF to develop local MMA talent in the Russian Federation and CIS countries to help grow the sport in these markets. MMA already was a sport on the rise among our young athletes, and working together with UFC and RCIF, we can propel it to even greater heights."
As previously announced, UFC’s debut event in Russia, UFC FIGHT NIGHT® MOSCOW, will be held at Olimpiysky Arena on Saturday, September 15.
-Ends-
About
Russia-China Investment Fund (RCIF) is a joint fund, established by the Russian Direct Investment Fund and China Investment Corporation (CIC). The activity of RCIF is aimed at development of bilateral economic, trade and investment relations between Russia and China. Further information can be found at www.rcif.com
UFC® is a premium global sports brand and the largest Pay-Per-View event provider in the world. Celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2018, UFC boasts more than 284 million fans worldwide and has produced over 400 events in 21 countries since its inception in 1993. Acquired in 2016 by global sports, entertainment and fashion leader Endeavor (formerly WME | IMG), together with strategic partners Silver Lake Partners and KKR, UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas with a network of employees around the world. UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe, while programming is broadcast in over 165 countries and territories to more than 1.1 billion TV households worldwide in 40 different languages. UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service, delivers exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content to fans around the world. For more information, visit www.UFC.com and follow UFC at www.Facebook.com/UFC, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram: @UFC.
For additional information contact:
Arseniy Palagin Andrew Hayes / Elena Garside
Russian Direct Investment Fund Hudson Sandler
Press Secretary Tel: +44 (0) 20 7796 4133
Tel: +7 495 644 34 14, ext. 2395
Mobile: +7 916 110 31 41
E-mail: arseniy.palagin@rdif.ru
Tony Han
Russia-China Investment Fund
Beijing, China
Tel.: +86 10 5762 9000
Fax: +86 10 57629111
Yury S. Trofimov
Russia-China Investment Fund
Moscow, Russia
Tel.: +7 (495) 230-05-55 ext. 4243
Mob.: +7 (985) 765-13-12
© Press Release 2018Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
