Meta has officially been named the UFC’s Fan Technology Partner in a new long-term collaboration between the two organizations.
This partnership is set to enable Meta to utilize its advanced technologies to create unparalleled engagement opportunities for millions of UFC enthusiasts globally, providing deeper access to UFC content than ever before.
The collaboration will encompass Meta’s AI innovations, smart glasses, the Quest platform, as well as social media networks including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads.
“Throughout my career, I’ve had numerous incredible partners who have contributed to the growth of this sport, but I am confident that Mark and his team at Meta will exceed UFC fans’ expectations,” stated Dana White, the UFC President and CEO. “Meta possesses an extraordinary tech talent pool that will elevate fan interaction to new heights. We have already begun exploring innovative ideas with Meta, including a new fighter rankings system that I’ll be unveiling soon. The upcoming years promise to be transformative for fans of this sport.”
This past January, White joined Meta’s board and has reportedly acted as an intermediary between Mark Zuckerberg and the Trump administration, fostering a favorable relationship for Meta with the U.S. government.
The existing app, Xtadium, currently allows Quest users in the U.S. to view selected UFC events in free immersive 2D 180 degrees. UFC Fight Pass subscribers can also access any fight on a large virtual display.
While this partnership spans a broad range of Meta’s offerings, there is keen interest in the potential for introducing 3D immersive video streaming for fights, and possibly even volumetric technology in the future.
“As a fan of this sport, I am excited about collaborating with the UFC to provide fresh experiences for fans,” remarked Mark Zuckerberg.