Weirdest UFC Sponsorships: From Monster Energy to Fast Food Chains

The use of sponsorships in sports is a key component of the business strategy because it helps athletes and sporting entities to monetize their sports products while at the same time creating awareness of products among consumers. It is the same with the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), the biggest MMA promotion organization in the entire world. In years past, the UFC has secured sponsorship deals with an incredibly diverse group of companies, from traditional blue-chip firms to some very oddball companies. From energy drinks and alcoholic beverages to fast foods and other niche products, UFC sponsorships have been controversial at times.

In this article, let’s take a closer look at some of the weirdest, most unexpected, and all around strange sponsorships in UFC history.

Condom Depot

The most unique and perhaps the most famous sponsorship in the history of UFC was with Condom Depot. Between 2007 and 2011, the online condom retailer sponsored many UFC fighters, such as the legend Jim Miller and Nate Diaz. Boxing athletes wearing trunks with Condom Depot printed on them became a laughing stock to fans and the new slogan’safe fighting’.

Though it could appear strange to have sponsorship in a sport that is characterized by blood, sweat, and violence, it was good from the exposure point of view. The shorts are one of the most conspicuous billboards for fighters, and as we saw, the Condom Depot logo was in plain sight during most of the grappling action. However, funny as this was, this was very good for the company and provided the UFC with some of the most memorable branding moments.

Dynamic Fastener

Another weird but recognizable logo that was painted on the UFC fighters’ shorts for years is Dynamic Fastener. The name might lead one to think they are a swift moving company, but Dynamic Fastener is actually an industrial roofing supply company that is based in Pennsylvania and focuses on roofing fasteners, tools, and other supplies. The sponsorship was not relevant to the interests of the average UFC viewer, which put the partnership on the list of the most puzzling ones in the promotion’s history.

The Dynamic Fastener logo was then seen frequently on the fighters’ trunks during the period of 2000s and up to 2010s, including fighters such as Chris Leben and Shane Carwin. However, it was frequently featured in UFC broadcasts, and many people jokingly wondered about the nature of business since it had nothing to do with the brand.

Harley-Davidson

Despite the fact that Harley-Davidson is one of the most recognizable brands, its connection with the UFC might be considered one of the most surprising sponsorships, first of all, because the two subjects seem to be extremely opposite. Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle company with a heavy, traditional image, and the UFC is a youth-oriented international organization that may not necessarily appeal to Harley’s target market.

However, the UFC-Hardy-Davidson relationship was long-lasting for years, and the motorcycle company supported many events and fighters. The Harley-Davidson logo used to be placed in the middle of the Octagon, and the champions of the TUF reality show would occasionally be given a Harley motorcycle as part of their rewards.

While this may seem counterintuitive, the association with Harley-Davidson allowed the company to appeal to a new audience and further solidify the brand’s image of toughness and rebellion; however, many UFC fans would not be in a hurry to purchase motorcycles.

Corn Nuts: “Corn to the Core”

Corn Nuts, a snack that consists of crispy roasted corn kernels, started sponsoring the UFC in 2013. It looked quite strange to see the tagline Corn to the Core while associating it with the hardcore UFC event; however, the brand was advertised during the fight broadcasts in commercials and on social media platforms.

The sponsorship was funny and generated many reactions between the UFC fighters and Corn Nuts; some fighters even shot a commercial for the brand. It was an odd pairing to have world-class athletes alongside a crunchy snack food, but it was a surefire way of making people stop and take notice. Viewers continue to recall the Corn Nuts slogan as one of the most strange features of the UFC broadcasts at the time.

Burger King

Athletes being sponsored by fast food chains has always been a controversy, but perhaps one of the most peculiar sponsorships in the UFC was Burger King supporting former UFC featherweight and lightweight title holder Conor McGregor. McGregor was signed to promote fast foods during his ascendancy, which was during his preparation for a boxing match against Floyd Mayweather in 2017.

Although McGregor with his over-the-top personality and his ‘King’ nickname would have fitted perfectly into Burger King’s image, it was awkward to see a fast food chain sponsoring a fighter who is famous for his regimen and training. In the promotional videos, McGregor was depicted seated on the throne and even feasting on Burger King meals, which made the partnership even more unbelievable.

However, the sponsorship was mutually beneficial for the two entities that otherwise are not easily associated with each other. McGregor and Burger King were a good combination, albeit rather unusual; this partnership benefited from both the star power of McGregor and the fast-food chain’s worldwide presence.

MetroPCS: “The Wireless Wonder”

Another peculiar but effective cooperation was between UFC and MetroPCS, a prepaid wireless telecommunications service. Until recently, MetroPCS was one of the primary sponsors of the UFC, and its logo was printed on the fighter’s gloves and the Octagon.

What made the sponsorship peculiar was the fact that MetroPCS was known as a company offering a cheap, even a ‘budget’ service. The UFC, on the other hand, can sometimes promote itself as a paid subscription television sports entertainment brand. This conflict of images created some amusing moments since the sponsor, MetroPCS, is known for its cheap image while the UFC is associated with high-energy, high-priced events.

This is because the brand even sponsored fighters such as Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson in a series of commercials that played on his nickname with the line, “The Wireless Wonder.” Although the link between a wireless carrier and a fight organization may have been rather tenuous, the sponsorship was sustained for several years and served to introduce MetroPCS to new audiences.

Soul Electronics

Soul Electronics was the first to sign an agreement with the UFC in 2013 by becoming the official headphone supplier of the organization. Soul Electronics was a brand that was associated with quality headphones and earphones, and its association with the UFC appeared rather strange since the product did not bear any relation to the sport in any way.

To popularize the sponsorship, fighters such as Cain Velasquez and Jon Jones were photographed and videod with Soul headphones and were seen using the headphones at the events. The brand tried to associate itself with the power and performance image of the UFC fighters. On the branding level, the affiliation was logical; however, one had to scratch the head to envision a connection between a company that produces headphones and mixed martial arts.

Soul Electronics did not stay long in the sponsorship of UFC, and thus this partnership is one of the most bizarre witnessed in the organization.

Toyo Tires

UFC has had a long-standing relationship with Toyo Tires, makers of high-performance tires, although there is no apparent link between tires and fighting. Toyo Tires’ association with motorsports is expected, but the tie-up with UFC is quite intriguing.

This is evident since Toyo Tires has its logo placed at the inner part of the Octagon, and the UFC fighters frequently advertise the brand on their social media pages and television advertisements. On the one hand, Toyo Tires is associated with strength and speed, which fighters also possess, but the sponsorship has always been rather obvious. Though it remains one of the strongest and longest-running sponsorships in the history of the UFC.

Dude Wipes

The sponsorship of UFC by Dude Wipes in the recent past brought the aspect of humor and weirdness to the Octagon. Dude Wipes, a brand that deals with male hygiene products, most especially flushable wipes, caused lots of controversy with its unique and rather provocative brand name.

Considering the fact that MMA is a rather rough and rather vulgar sport, watching a hygiene product being advertised during UFC events was quite funny. Some fighters, such as the light heavyweight contender Derrick Lewis, who is well-known for his crass humor, even began using Dude Wipes in their post-fight interviews, which have given the UFC some of the most entertaining moments in its history.

Hygiene products are not generally linked to professional combat; however, the brand’s lighthearted approach to marketing appealed to the fan base, and the sponsorship with the UFC is expanding.

Conclusion

Throughout the years, the UFC has had many sponsors, ranging from the traditional sponsors such as energy drinks and sportswear to some of the more bizarre sponsors such as roofing material and male grooming products. These sponsorships have been unconventional but have been very instrumental in the UFC’s marketing as a global entity and have been part of the history of the sport.

From condom companies and fast food chains to crunchy snacks, the oddity of UFC sponsorships is as colorful as the world of mixed martial arts. Although some of the partnerships have fans wondering about some of the decisions made, they have undoubtedly played a role in propelling the UFC into one of the most recognized and distinct sporting bodies in the world.