UFC strengthens Philippine connection with Smart deal

Mixed martial arts series the Ultimate Fighting Championship has entered into a multi-year partnership with Philippine telecommunications company Smart.

Smart will be a provider of UFC Fight Pass, an over-the-top service providing fans with exclusive UFC content and access to the world’s largest library of fight content.

As part of the partnership, Smart will be the official and exclusive mobile carrier of the UFC in the Philippines, and will introduce consumer promotions and marketing activities for UFC fans and subscribers of Smart Bro, the telco’s mobile broadband brand.

Kenneth Berger, UFC’s executive vice-president and general manager for Asia, said: “The Philippines continues to be one of UFC’s strongest markets in Asia and a blueprint for our growth in the region. With our massive fan base and huge media interest in our sport, combined with the runaway success of our inaugural sold out Manila event, we want to be able to provide as much opportunity as possible for fans to interact with UFC. This partnership is a huge step in that direction.”