UFC, the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization, has officially entered into a new partnership with NetBet, a prominent online gambling platform. As the Official Sportsbook and Betting Partner, NetBet will now have a strong presence across several key European markets, including the UK, Ireland, Greece, Italy, and Romania. The collaboration, set to launch with the UFC Fight Night: Edwards vs. Brady event on March 22 at London’s O2 Arena, marks a significant expansion of UFC’s European outreach while offering NetBet a high-profile platform to engage with an expanding audience of MMA fans.

UFC and NetBet join forces across Europe:

The partnership between UFC and NetBet is a strategic move aimed at enhancing the sport’s presence across Europe while providing fans with exciting new betting opportunities. As part of the deal, NetBet’s branding will be featured prominently within the Octagon at UFC events, on international broadcast feeds, and across various digital and social media platforms. This collaboration underscores UFC’s continued efforts to solidify its footing in European markets, which have seen a rapid increase in MMA’s popularity.

Nicholas Smith, Senior Vice President and Head of International Business at TKO, UFC’s parent company, expressed enthusiasm about the timing of the deal. “As UFC continues to grow and expand across Europe, it’s great to bring on such a reputable betting partner who already has a strong, established UFC fanbase,” Smith said. He added that the partnership is launching with one of UFC’s marquee events of the year in London, which is expected to provide high visibility for both brands.

For NetBet, this partnership represents a significant step toward deepening its connection with the growing MMA fanbase. CEO Marcel Prioteasa emphasized the company’s dedication to providing innovative ways for fans to interact with the sport. “We are excited to become the European betting partner of UFC, uniting the adrenaline-pumping action of the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation with the elite betting experience our customers expect,” Prioteasa stated in the company’s press release.

The collaboration is poised to give UFC fans in Europe even more opportunities to engage with the sport as NetBet looks to expand its portfolio of MMA-related betting options. Prioteasa highlighted that 2025 will be a monumental year for NetBet, as it gears up for further expansion and aims to bring fans closer to the Octagon with new, interactive experiences.

A growing trend in sports betting and MMA:

The UFC-NetBet partnership is part of a broader trend in which sportsbooks are increasingly tying their brands to combat sports, especially MMA. With UFC’s global popularity and its active fan engagement across social media, betting companies are recognizing the potential to offer diverse wagering opportunities to the millions of UFC fans worldwide. UFC events now regularly feature a wide range of betting options, including live in-play betting, prop bets, and same-fight parlays, making the sport even more interactive for viewers.

As the UFC continues its rapid growth across Europe, this partnership will help amplify the organization’s international presence. The collaboration will integrate NetBet’s brand into UFC’s broadcasts and live events, enhancing both promotional opportunities and the overall fan experience. Fans can expect new ways to place bets and engage with UFC’s high-octane action in the near future.

The partnership also comes at a time when UFC’s digital platforms, including UFC Fight Pass, continue to expand their reach, offering fans around the world direct access to combat sports content. The increased interaction between betting platforms and live sports broadcasts is expected to provide a new dimension to the sports betting industry, with the UFC as one of its key drivers.