NRL announces critical world-first partnership with UFC

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Las Vegas: The NRL’s bold foray into the US market has taken a gigantic step forward with the announcement of a critical partnership with the UFC – the biggest sport in Las Vegas and among the biggest in the world.

Months of delicate negotiations between the pair came to a head on Tuesday morning at the official launch of next season’s double-header at Allegiant Stadium on March 2.

While the first year of the deal will see the UFC share content and publicity opportunities with the NRL, it is envisaged a fight night will be held on the same weekend as rugby league in 2025.

It is a significant win for the NRL because the UFC has never partnered with another sport. Negotiations started midway through last year.

The UFC has a global fan base of more than 700 million with about 4 million living in Australia, thanks largely to the success of homegrown fighters Alexander Volkanovski, Tai Tuivasa and Robert Whittaker.

UFC chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein – who is considered one of Las Vegas’ most influential figures – said the UFC wanted to grow its audience in the Asia-Pacific region.

UFC COO Lawrence Epstein, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo and UFC executive vice president of international operations David Shaw.Credit: Getty

“We know we have a tremendous crossover for the two fan bases,” he said. “The sports have the same ethos: hard work, dedication, sportsmanship and unexpected things happen all the time. We couldn’t be more excited welcoming rugby league to Las Vegas.”

Epstein is also the vice-chairman of the Las Vegas Stadium Authority, which includes Allegiant Stadium.

“When the State of Nevada invested $750 million into this facility of course it was for the Las Vegas Raiders but also to attract events from the US and around the world,” he said. “For Las Vegas to bring tourists to this community to energise our resorts and casinos. This is just another example of that vision.”

The NRL is in Vegas this week to promote the opening the 2024 season with matches between the Roosters and Broncos and South Sydney and Manly.

Andrew Abdo speaks at Allegiant Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders.Credit: Getty

Tuesday’s launch was held in the shadows of the iconic Al Davis Memorial Torch at one end of the stadium – the same venue as the launch of Super Bowl LVIII, which will be held here on February 14.

A mixture of curious local media, showgirls, an Elvis impersonator and Fijian warriors representing sponsor Fiji Airways were also in attendance.

But the person who stole the show was retired UFC legend Forrest Griffin, whose gruesome fight in 2005 with Stephan Bonnar is considered “the most important fight in UFC history”, according to founder Dana White.

“It’s an easy game to understand – and this is a beautiful place to do it,” Griffin, 44, said. “I love the pace of the game. You think about it: they get 80 minutes done faster than you can in 60 minutes of American football. I was also interested to learn there are only four replacements? For the whole game? That’s crazy.”

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo (right) with UFC legend Forrest Griffin in Las Vegas.Credit: Getty

Later in the day, Griffin held a wrestling session with some of the players here in Vegas to promote the double-header. It was conducted at the UFC’s state-of-the-art performance institute.

“I’m excited to work with these athletes,” Griffin said. “In a different life, they all could have been fighters. I’ve convinced myself that I could have gone pro. I was a mediocre American footballer but hopefully better rugby player.”

Griffin then threw out a challenge to the players: “They’ve already brought four really good teams – you just need two really good games. No pressure, guys. We really need to make them exciting.”

Earlier, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo made several key announcements about the event, which has attracted 20,000 ticket sales.

A partnership with NASCAR, which is being held in Vegas on the same weekend, has been struck.

A talent combine will be held at the Ed W. Clark High School earlier that day involving 15 male and 15 female college athletes. The top two will then trial with NRL clubs later in the year.

Abdo also revealed the Vegas Nines, a grassroots tournament being run in conjunction with USA Rugby League, will be held on the Thursday and Friday.

The author travelled to Las Vegas courtesy of the NRL.

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