Fight.ID, a pioneering Web3 platform developed by Fightfi aimed at combat sports enthusiasts, has successfully secured new funding to enhance its collaboration with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). This partnership, which originated with the creation of UFC Strike digital collectibles, is set to broaden its scope by introducing a comprehensive suite of blockchain-enabled products and services designed to enrich fan engagement within the global mixed martial arts (MMA) community.
This latest funding round has attracted a diverse group of institutional investors and prominent figures from the sports and entertainment sectors. Notable backers include Anthos Capital, Aptos Foundation, Aquanow Ventures, Blockchain Coinvestors, Fabric VC, Jupiter, and Memeland, with additional support from angel investors connected to the UFC and other domains. Among the individual investors are several UFC athletes, including Gilbert Burns, Josh Emmett, Dan Ige, Vicente Luque, Eric Nicksick, Alexandre Pantoja, and Gregory Rodrigues. Additionally, the investment garnered attention from industry veterans such as Craig Kallman, Chief Music Officer at Atlantic Music Group, NBA alumnus Baron Davis, NFL Pro Bowler Cam Jordan, and Yat Siu, Chairman of Animoca Brands.
The funds raised are earmarked for the development of a new suite of Web3-native experiences targeting UFC fans. Among the planned offerings are a digital identity and loyalty system, a prize pool aimed at enhancing fighter bonuses, and an exclusive line of Fight.ID merchandise. These products will leverage essential blockchain features such as asset ownership, programmability of rewards, and interactive user experiences, all reflecting the platform’s guiding principles: Fight Fair, Fight Together, Fight Through, and Fight Forever.
Fight.ID’s engagement with the UFC’s digital transition began three years ago through the establishment of UFC Strike. The current phase of collaboration aims to cater to both seasoned Web3 enthusiasts and the broader MMA audience through accessible and immersive digital experiences.
“UFC has always embraced an innovation-first mentality,” stated Grant Norris-Jones, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships at TKO. “James and his team have proven to be dynamic and innovative partners, and we are excited to support the Fight.ID ecosystem in the coming years.”
This strategic partnership aligns with a broader trend among major sports organizations integrating blockchain technologies to enhance fan engagement and loyalty. UFC’s ongoing collaboration with Fight.ID is setting the stage as a potential model for other sports leagues exploring the Web3 landscape.
“As our world becomes more digitally oriented, this is the ideal moment to invest in blockchain projects,” remarked James Zhang, Co-Founder and CEO of Fight.ID. “MMA continues to capture our cultural zeitgeist, making it an exciting time to engage with UFC. Our teams have built a strong foundation of trust and collaboration in the development of UFC’s official digital collectibles. Now, we are ready to expand our offerings and invite all fight fans to embrace digital ownership.”
With a growing investor base and a solidified long-term commitment from the UFC, Fight.ID is poised to advance its platform as a central hub for combat sports enthusiasts navigating the Web3 landscape.
