Las Vegas – UFC® today announced a multi-year partnership with Brazilian event operator IMM. As one of the leading businesses in the industry, IMM, a joint venture between Mubadala Development and WME|IMG, will oversee event operations for all UFC Brazil events beginning in 2017 as well as sponsorship and ticket sales in-market via their TUDUS platform.
Following UFC’s acquisition by sports, entertainment and fashion powerhouse WME | IMG in July 2016, the organizations have been working together diligently around the globe to leverage partnerships and capitalize on a broader network of business opportunities to continue to grow the world’s leading MMA brand. This new partnership will see IMM CEO Alan Adler returning to work on the UFC business, which he successfully did with IMX for several years. Philippe Menezes, UFC’s Director of Events in Brazil, will transition to IMM and continue to oversee the Brazilian UFC events, providing fans with the same world-renowned experiences they have come to expect.
“UFC is excited to be working with Alan and IMM again and will continue to deliver world-class live events for our fans in Brazil,” UFC Senior Vice President of International Joe Carr said. “The partnership will enhance our sponsorship and ticketing capabilities in this market, while allowing the UFC team in Sao Paulo to refocus its efforts on brand growth, content creation, and local athlete development.”
“We are very excited to be working with UFC again, as we did from 2010 to 2013, when the brand was re-launched in Brazil,” IMM CEO Alan Adler said. “For us, UFC is a world class asset, a perfect combination of sport and entertainment and has total harmony with our goal of offering unique experiences to the fans. Furthermore, we will identify brands and products that elevate the sport and bring awareness in our country through a complete platform of activations.”
Founded in 2011, IMM oversees several leading sports, music and arts events such as the Rio Open tennis tournament, Rock in Rio music festival, PGA golf event, Cirque du Soleil and NBA pre-season games.
UFC’s first event in Brazil is scheduled for March 11 in Fortaleza. For the latest information on bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change
