UFC to open UFC-brand gyms

[Reavant]

UFC-branded gyms to open across North America
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Jan 27, 2009 at 10:31 am ET

The Ultimate Fighting Championship today announced a partnership with New Evolution Fitness Company that will create a network of nationwide and even global UFC-branded gyms.

The gyms will provide all-around training, conditioning and health options for men, women and children.

According to the UFC Gyms website, the facilities will offer fitness and cardio equipment, group classes, personal training (including MMA), general MMA instruction, a kids center and full locker rooms.

"UFC Gyms is something we've been looking at for a long time; it completely made sense to me when we found the right partner in (NEFC owner) Mark Mastrov – this is the guy who has created some of the most powerful fitness brands in the world," stated UFC President Dana White. "UFC gyms are going to shake up the fitness industry the way UFC shook up the sports industry. All the energy and excitement that we have brought to the fight business we are now going to bring to the fitness business. There is going to be something for everybody at all levels – from first timers to world class athletes. We're going to get people excited and motivated to work out and get in great shape."

No locations are opening dates have been announced, though the UFC is expected to target California markets initially and then spread throughout the U.S. and into Canada.

The latest venture provides further branding for the world's top MMA organization, which Forbes recently estimated to be worth $1 billion.


This is such a bad idea in sooooo many ways

[Impact!]

This is either going to be really good (for the UFC) or really bad (...for the UFC). If they made like 3 or 4 gyms, maybe it would work well...

[Reavant]

No its not going to affect the UFC bad at all no matter what happens. They have the money to take the loss.

Im thinking more about other gyms.

Theres two things that are going to come out of this, either they start out big and dont have anyone there to train and be competant trainers and eventually close the building, or they put one in near other schools and try to grab coaches and fighters from other schools and put the heat on coaches that wont join them and try to put them out.

The extreme couture here in chicago is going out because randy just wanted to poke his ass into chicago and filled the place with people that didnt know what theyre doing.

[Impact!]

It's really quite an odd thing...

[Fabien Barthez]

Its just franchise marketing and branding. They will in-house train guys to teach basic MMA, maybe they will strive to have a BJJ black belt instructor to give classes, but they won't have competition level coaching and won't be looking to create camps. I'm only guessing at this, but the majority of gyms don't have any combat training aparatus or facilities whatsoever, so it can only be a good thing.

[Reavant]

not if they try to strong arm other gyms out of business it wont be. If dana takes the gyms as seriously as the company, there is a strong possibility he could fuck over fighters and coaches if they dont train under the ufc flag.

[Innovator]

Good place for people to get into MMA, double as a regular gym

[Fabien Barthez]

I just can't see them opening a health club / mma/jujitsu classes in Alberquerque and forcing Greg Jackson out of town.

That's obviously a bit extremist like, but do you see what I mean? I don't think they are wanting to compete with MMA gyms, just gym-gyms.

[Fabien Barthez]

gym is a seriously funny word to both say and read

[Fabien Barthez]

actually, it's not that serious at all.

[Innovator]

These better take off, being a trainer I'd love to get into something like this

[Mercury Bullet]

Too many retards are going to get into it. Its gonna be a gym full of meatheads wearing Tapout shirts all thinking they can kick each others ass.

[Funky Fly]

Too many retards are going to get into it. Its gonna be a gym full of meatheads wearing Tapout shirts all thinking they can kick each others ass.

Yeah word. Douchebags galore will be all over this shit.

[Reavant]

If theyre anything like the extreme couture gym out here, theyre going to spit out fighters who think theyre tough because of the gym name and they are going to get their asses kicked by the legitimate schools and they are going to start losing business.