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UFC and Stake: Scope and Evolution of the MMA Partnership
Dates, territories and activations: understand the agreement between UFC and Stake, announced in 2021 and extended to Brazil in 2022.
Published by The Gambling Desk ·
- Entity
- MMA event organisation founded in 1993
- First Stake agreement
- 5 March 2021, regional agreement
- Development
- Brazil added on 10 February 2022
- As of 25 July 2026
- Relationship displayed by Stake; current scope partly documented
The Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, is an organisation that produces MMA events. Mixed martial arts is the sport; UFC is an organiser, bringing fights together on cards and staging them in an octagonal cage. This distinction makes it possible to place the commercial agreement with Stake precisely.
Fight Cards Produced by an Organisation, Not a Separate Sport
Created around an inaugural event in Denver in 1993, UFC gradually adopted unified rules, weight classes and a calendar combining numbered pay-per-view events with UFC Fight Nights. Athletes compete individually: they are neither employees of a Stake team nor automatically ambassadors for the brand.
This event-based organisation explains the nature of commercial activations. A partner may appear on selected cards, in digital content or at public experiences without becoming the broadcaster of the fights or participating in their sporting organisation.
On 5 March 2021, an Agreement Limited to Latin America and Asia
UFC announced Stake on 5 March 2021 as its first “official betting partner” in Latin America—excluding Brazil—and Asia. It was therefore a regional partnership, meaning it applied in expressly designated territories, not a global mandate.
The announcement provided for promotions, VIP experiences and digital or social content produced with UFC athletes. It accompanied UFC 259 fight week. The release published neither a financial value nor an end date, two elements that therefore cannot be attributed to the agreement.
The 2022 Renewal Adds Brazil and Specific Integrations
On 10 February 2022, UFC announced a renewal for 2022 and an extension into Brazil. Stake then became the organisation's first betting partner in that country, in addition to the Latin American and Asian territories covered in 2021.
The published arrangement included a presence inside the Octagon at selected numbered events and Fight Nights, presenting sponsorship of one annual event held in Brazil, original content on UFC platforms, and promotions and VIP experiences. An annual fund was also to finance marketing initiatives with willing athletes. These branding rights do not give Stake responsibility for producing or broadcasting the fights.
An Institutional Partnership Distinct from UFC Ambassadors
The relationship with the organisation and individual contracts follow two different logics. Alex Pereira, Alexandre Pantoja, Merab Dvalishvili or Caio Borralho may appear in Stake campaigns without their careers, rankings or results falling under the institutional agreement.
This separation also applies to territories. In March 2025, UFC named Parimatch its official sportsbook and betting partner in Asia; other operators hold official categories in other markets. The scope granted to Stake in 2021 should therefore not be presented as permanent global exclusivity.
A Status Still Displayed by Stake, with Its Current Scope Requiring Nuance
As of 25 July 2026, Stake retains an active page presenting it as UFC's “Official Betting Partner” and still cites its Octagon integrations and several events in Brazil. This publication confirms that the brand continues to assert the relationship.
UFC has not, however, published a new contract duration or a full territorial renewal since the 2022 release. The presence of another partner in Asia since 2025 means in particular that the former Asian scope cannot be repeated unchanged. The most accurate status is therefore that of a relationship still presented as active by Stake, whose current rights territory by territory are not fully documented publicly.
FAQ
What Is the Difference between UFC and MMA?
MMA is a combat sport that combines several standing and ground techniques. UFC is an organisation that produces professional MMA events.
When Did the Partnership between UFC and Stake Begin?
The initial announcement dates from 5 March 2021. It covered Latin America, excluding Brazil, and Asia. Brazil was added in the renewal announced on 10 February 2022.
Is the UFC–Stake Agreement Global?
No. The 2021 and 2022 releases describe a regional agreement. They do not justify presenting Stake as UFC's exclusive global partner.
Does Stake Broadcast UFC Fights?
Stake offers a sports streaming service on its own platform, but the partnership releases do not grant it UFC's general broadcasting rights. Authorised broadcasters vary by market.
Is the Partnership Still Active as of 25 July 2026?
Stake still presents it as active on its official page. However, the detailed rights and current duration have not been published in a new UFC release; the regional scope must therefore be worded with care.
The UFC–Stake agreement thus documents a commercial presence around an organisation and selected events. It differs both from an individual contract with a fighter and from a jointly produced project such as the Stake Ranked circuit with StarLadder.