The UFC have today announced a deal that will see the world’s leading mixed martial arts promotion serve as title sponsors of the the 2015 British Open Judo Championships.
As a promotion that champions several forms of martial arts including jiu jitsu, boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, karate, judo, and more; the UFC have been granted advertising and brand promotion opportunities in collaboration with the British Judo Association. The Championships are set take place on 12th July at the Wembley Arena in London.
The excitement surrounding judo in the UFC has greatly increased in recent years with current Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey (10-0) achieving major stardom in the U.S. The 27-year-old has maintained an undefeated MMA record with 2 knockouts and 8 arm-bar submissions since transitioning to the sport in 2011 after taking the bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Furthermore, former British and Commonwealth judo champion Brett Caswell (6-1) currently fights out of Portsmouth’s Gym 01 as a flyweight contender in top UKMMA promotion Cage Warriors.
British Judo Chief Executive, Andrew Scoular said: “We are absolutely thrilled at our new partnership with UFC, which will bring about many mutual benefits for both the organisations and the sports of MMA and Judo in the UK. We look forward to developing other sponsorship and advertising opportunities with UFC in the future.
“By partnering with such a leading martial arts brand as UFC, we will receive significant added exposure for British Judo as a core martial art and the partnership will be instrumental in raising the profile of the sport of judo, ultimately leading to increased participation for young people.
“British Judo’s values include discipline and responsibility. These along with respect and ethics are shared by UFC.”
With multiple judokas currently fighting among the UFC ranks, it’s likely that this deal will open doors for the UFC that increases their exposure in the judo community, laying the foundations that will hopefully pave the way for future prospects to transition from judo to mixed martial arts in years to come.
