Intuitively, even a UFC novice/layman would be able to conjecture as to a catalogue of sponsors that might choose to promote themselves through the conduit of MMA. I often eschew stereotyping, but let’s for one second just enumerate how the vast majority of lads between 18 and 35 (a bracket which includes myself) would ideally like to spend their pastime:
- Drinking alcohol or inordinately sugary energy drinks
- Playing computer games/gambling online
- Talking to/flirting with/looking at/touching attractive females
- Driving powerful vehicles (the ultimate boys toys)
- Participating in anything macho that may appeal to attractive females
- Watching/playing sports, ideally with other like-minded males
- Eating tasty (not necessarily healthy) food
So there you have it ladies; it probably isn’t a revelation to you that the male species is a rather simple creature, who generally seeks simple pleasures, otherwise known as base/carnal pleasures. Yes, of course we have developed as homo sapiens since the time of the Neanderthals, but these elements remain ingrained at our core.
As Dana, the quintessential alpha male will readily inform you, fighting is in our DNA, and that’s why we thrive on witnessing it. But we aren’t that one-dimensional. In fact, akin to MMA, us men are multi-faceted beings, since numerous other F’s (namely food, footy, friends, fun and females) occupy our thoughts in addition to fighting.
And sponsors do not solely approach the UFC organisation per se, but also the organisation’s employees themselves, the actual fighters. After all, these are (literally in some cases) the people’s champions, the heroes to the masses of MMA fans worldwide, so to attach a brand logo to their shorts is astute marketing. The innumerable companies that sponsor fighters is a veritable smorgasbord of androcentric brands, ranging from the likes of beef jerky to the Dolce Diet, the Gun Store to Condom Depot.com.
Discounting the multiple UFC self-branded products which are tirelessly endorsed throughout the airing of a live event (including UFC gyms, fitness games, console games, etc.), the top 11 sponsors for both the UFC and its fighters, in terms of memorability, would have to be:
