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The UFC Shattered all Records in 2020 Despite the Pandemic

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In 2019, UFC broke their financial records and reportedly had around $900 million in revenue. According to Dana White, the promotion did even better in 2020, breaking company records despite many others struggling during the pandemic.

“For us personally, it’s the best year we’ve ever had. Crazy to say that, but we broke just about every record we have, except for live gate, obviously,” White told TSN. “It was a very challenging year for us, to pull all this stuff off. It was without a doubt the hardest year of my career.

“During the pandemic, we were up 30 percent on ESPN, then as soon as it starts to average out, we’re up 18, 20 percent this year,” he said. “Our social media growth was massive this year. We surpassed 10 million followers on YouTube, earning us a diamond play status. Second only to NBA among sports organizations worldwide. Our Instagram growth in the US went up 31.17%. We’re number two only to the NBA again. Second most video views on Instagram compared to all US sports, number two to the NBA. And the Joaquin Buckley thing was massive, broke all kinds of records.

 

 

“We broke the record (for revenue). Consumer products was up 166% this year. The list goes on and on. We killed it this year.

According to the UFC President, with their growth and success, it raises the company’s current valuation to “probably nine or ten (billion).”

Like 2019, the bulk of the UFC’s 2020 revenue comes from their lucrative deal with ESPN. This is reportedly why the UFC was trying to skirt government mandates and travel bans early in the pandemic, as they wanted to ensure they’d meet the event quota and get around $750 million in revenue.

The UFC doesn’t rely on PPV sales and other unpredictable metrics as much as they did on previous years. They now make most of their money from guaranteed contractual revenue from ESPN, sponsors, international broadcast rights, licensing fees, and others. In 2020, another good revenue source are those “Fight Island” branded events, as the Abu Dhabi government reportedly shoulders costs and pays the UFC good money to host events (in exchange for some great PR and a bit of sportswashing).

 

COVID-19 did pose unique challenges, but despite the lack of ticket sales — which only accounted for “less than 12%” of the UFC’s 2019 revenue — analysts always expected the UFC to make bank in 2020. At the very worst, 2020 looked to be within their top two to three best years ever, but White now confirms that it ended being their absolute best in history.

 

In theory, this should mark the end of using the pandemic and lack of gate as an excuse not to increase fighter pay. In practice, it’ll still be tough for fighters, especially with the UFC being in the middle of a roster purge, releasing contenders and veterans as lesser known and far cheaper talent take their spots in the promotion.

 

Credit: SB Nation Bloody Elbow, 2020


Shannon Marie Payne

Coach Meshel Gill is amazing! Both my daughters have grown so much over the past 6 months. I’m seeing improved, discipline, dedication, and strength in both of them. This is a combat sport, coach Gill will challenge your child. If you get out of your “mommy brain” , into training mode, your child will reap the benefits and have learned valuable life skills! Coach Gill has a gift of balancing toughness and compassion in the right moments! This is a gift and she’s an amazing instructor!

My youngest especially. Defeat has been a real struggle for my youngest. When she was beat in a grappling match Coach Gill took the time to sit with her and lift her back up. She said in a match your going to be a hammer or a nail. Sometimes when your learning your going to be the nail, but with every loss you learn something and it makes you better. So your not really loosing your always winning! Then when you get better you will be the hammer. So now if she doesn’t win a match and even in school she’s applied what she’s learned. We have less tantrums and emotional outburst when she looses at something. She says well coach Gill says...... She’s correct! Coach Meshel Gill is a powerful female role model for young girls to learn from. I highly respect her and her training methods! I am seeing amazing growth, confidence, and commitment in my oldest as well. Given how stressful high school, college , and life can be this is a great experience for them both! Thank you coach Gill! You’re awesome!

Roshni Neekhra

My son has been going there for over an year now. We have had the best experience with warrior martial arts. He enjoys it and I can definitely tell he has a boost of confidence from this training and learned skills and techniques to defend himself, Also my daughter she is not even 2 yr old ready to start training...😊

C. Chandler

Both of our sons have been taking Mixed Martial Arts at Warrior Martial Arts for several years now and we can't say enough good things about the entire staff and their program. While the goals for each are different, I know they are both receiving the best training possible while the instructors instill the necessary skills for them to become leaders that display discipline, confidence and respect in any situation.

Both boys have grown so much while at Warrior. They are much more confident and respectful, and have improved their overall athletic abilities across a number of different sports. The staff works really hard to come up with fun and creative ways to keep all the students engaged, so much so I have a feeling the kids often don't even know that's what they are doing. Best of all, Warrior Martial Arts is creating a family environment where our boys have created lifelong friends through the various "social" activities offered to us.

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