- UFC supporters have threatened to boycott the sport over the latest collaboration
- Dana White recently announced a huge sponsorship deal with Bud Light
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Calls are mounting from UFC supporters to boycott the sport after the brand announced a new major sponsorship deal with Bud Light.
The brewer was previously the best-selling beer nationwide, but has since lost that ranking after teaming up with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney in April.
UFC’s multi-year deal with Bud Light is reportedly worth more than £87 million a year, reuniting the two organizations after Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were the sport’s original beer sponsors more than a decade ago.
However, the renewed partnership has sparked outrage among some parts of the UFC’s dedicated community, who believe Bud Light is attempting to regain their former reputation by returning to the sport.
Bud Light’s investment will give the company a significant presence in the octagon, with their brand name dominating much of the floor space and also being used on other sponsorship materials.
Dana White announced that the UFC has signed a new sponsorship deal with Bud Light
Bud Light has had its reputation tarnished after a previous sponsorship deal with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney
However, the fallout from the brewer’s previous partnership with Mulvaney has clearly caused irreversible damage to some fans, who are now threatening to boycott the sport as a result.
Commenting on the sponsorship announcement on The Bud Light deal is a deal breaker for me.”
Another unimpressed viewer added, “UFC announces Bud Light as official beer in partnership with Anheuser-Busch. #BoycottUFC Go Wake Go Broke.”
A third comment also expressed their thoughts, saying, “Such a shame that I now have to have #BoycottUFC. No more #ppv UFC and Dana White and I’ve lost my money and viewers.’
While another supporter was also angry: Folks, looks like it’s time to #BOYCOTT UFC and keep boycotting Bud Light!’
The drinks organization has been damaged by their previous campaign with Mulvaney, after being accused of meddling in one of the most pressing culture war issues around.
Modelo and Coors have surpassed Bud Light in the top-selling beer charts, and recent data showed their share of the beer market had fallen to just 8.9 percent.
Sales are down approximately 30 percent in both volume and dollar value compared to the same period last year.
Mulvaney teamed up with Bud Light in April as part of their March Madness campaign and was gifted a can of light beer with her face on it – sparking outrage
Bud Light will have a significant in-ring presence as a result of their new major sponsorship deal
In a statement announcing the partnership, UFC CEO Dana White said: “Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were the original beer sponsors of UFC more than fifteen years ago. I am proud to announce that we are working together again.
“There are many reasons why I chose Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light, primarily because I feel like we are very aligned when it comes to our core values and what the UFC brand stands for.
“I look forward to all the great things we will do in the coming years.”
Anheuser-Busch CEO Brendan Whitworth said, “Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light have always been at the forefront of iconic sports moments that fans will remember forever, and reuniting with UFC continues this industry-leading legacy.”