Dapper Labs, UFC Ink Deal to Bring Blockchain Digital Collectibles to Masses

According to a press release issued on February 25, 2020, leading blockchain research firm Dapper Labs has inked a partnership with mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion UFC to develop a new digital experience that will offer UFC fans across the globe with opportunities to purchase, trade, and own UFC-branded digital collectibles on Dapper Labs’ Flow.

Dapper Labs to Power UFC with Blockchain Technology

In a bid to leverage the technology to its full potential, Dapper Labs has joined forces with major MMA promotion UFC to issue and sell UFC-inspired blockchain-powered digital collectibles.

Per the press release, these digital collectibles will be available to purchase, trade, and own at Dapper Labs’ Flow platform. For the uninitiated, Flow is a newly developed distributed ledger technology (DLT) platform to support consumer-facing blockchain experiences.

Commenting on the development, Roham Gharegozlou, CEO of Dapper Labs, said:

“Flow makes it easy for any developer to build blockchain apps, games, and digital assets to power them. Working with the UFC®, we are showing what’s possible when you give an engaged fanbase a real ownership stake in the game they love and the communities they’re a part of.“

Similar sentiments were echoed by UFC Senior Vice President, Tracey Bleczinski, who said:

“UFC is thrilled to partner with Dapper Labs to offer a new form of digital collectibles to our global fanbase. UFC prides itself on being innovators in sports technology, and Flow is another way to provide our fans with the best entertainment experience.“

Being one of the leading global brands in professional MMA combat, UFC is also one of the earliest sports entities to be announced on Dapper Labs’ Flow. Per sources close to the matter, Flow will help enable and empower tech-savvy UFC fans to purchase, trade and own verified, authentic, limited-edition, digital collectibles on blockchain in real-time. Notably, Flow is Dapper Labs’ solution to the problem of blockchain scalability for consumer applications like games and digital collectibles.

UFC and DLT

A flurry of tech startups in the blockchain and cryptocurrency space have taken the UFC route to better publicize their ambitious projects. BTCManager reported on December 28, 2019, how Litecoin Foundation had partnered with UFC to sponsor an upcoming boxing event.