UFC AND THORNE ANNOUNCE ENHANCED GLOBAL PARTNERSHIP RENEWAL

Rhea-AI Summary

UFC and Thorne have announced a renewal of their global partnership, enhancing their existing collaboration since 2019. Thorne maintains its position as the Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner of UFC and Official Partner of the UFC Performance Institute. The partnership now includes Thorne becoming a premier partner of UFC's Anti-Doping program.

The renewed partnership features significant brand integration, including Thorne branding in the 'Locker Room Cam' broadcast during UFC Pay Per Views, reaching over 700 million fans in 170 countries. Since implementing Thorne's NSF Certified for Sport products in 2019, there have been no failed drug tests from contaminants among athletes using their supplements.

The agreement includes collaboration on original content for UFC's digital channels, reaching 290 million users worldwide. Thorne will continue as Presenting Partner for select segments of UFC's 'Embedded' series and will participate in an annual Brand Ambassador program.

Positive

• Zero failed drug tests from contaminants since implementing Thorne's products in 2019
• Enhanced brand exposure through UFC Pay Per Views reaching 700M+ fans in 170 countries
• Access to UFC's digital audience of 290M+ users worldwide

Negative

• None.

Thorne remains Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner and Official Partner of UFC Performance Institute

Thorne Becomes Premier Partner of UFC's Anti-Doping Program

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- UFC, the world's premier mixed martial arts organization and part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), and Thorne, the leader in science-backed health and wellness solutions, today announced a renewal of their global partnership, featuring enhancements that will strengthen the collaboration.

A UFC partner since 2019, Thorne remains the Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner of UFC and an Official Partner of the UFC Performance Institute, the world's leading combat sports performance training, research, rehabilitation, and nutrition center, with locations in Las Vegas, Mexico City, and Shanghai.  UFC will continue to integrate Thorne's line of NSF Certified for Sport products into supplement plans created by UFC's registered dietitians and coaches for the multiple world-class athletes training under the guidance of the UFC Performance Institute. 

Under the renewal, Thorne will also become a premier partner of UFC's Anti-Doping program, which is widely recognized as the gold-standard anti-doping program in professional sports.  Thorne has played a pivotal role in the success of the program by providing UFC athletes with high quality, contaminant-free supplements.  Since UFC began offering Thorne's NSF Certified for Sport products to athletes in 2019, there have been no incidents of failed drug tests from contaminants with athletes using Thorne's line of NSF Certified for Sport supplements.  To underscore the importance of competing clean, Thorne will help UFC athletes celebrate "Clean Test Milestones" throughout the year with branded content distributed across UFC's social media platforms

"Our team at the UFC Performance Institute is ecstatic about the renewal and extension of our partnership with Thorne," said Dr. Duncan French, Senior Vice President, UFC Performance Institute.  "The deployment and distribution of Thorne products touches every part of our global operation -- from supporting athletes at UFC events and promoting better health and wellbeing after competition, to providing critical supplements, vitamins, and nutrients that optimize training responses.  Thorne is perfectly aligned with our philosophies and represents 'best in class' when it comes to offering performance solutions that impact athlete success." 

"We are taking our UFC partnership to the next level this year in a magnitude of ways," said Colin Watts, Thorne CEO.  "As Thorne continues to scale, the opportunity we have to help shape not just UFC athlete performance nutrition protocols but also provide the best sports performance supplements and resources to UFC fans is a really important part of why we partner with UFC.  Fans can expect to see more, hear more, and learn more about Thorne over the next year through different UFC channels and at UFC X, the organization's fully immersive two-day fan experience."

"UFC's relationship with Thorne is in direct correlation with the significant reduction in contaminated supplement cases we have seen in our anti-doping program over the years," said Jeff Novitzky, Senior Vice President, UFC Anti-Doping Compliance.  "In addition, Thorne has played a major role in helping UFC athletes achieve "Clean Test Milestones" that we regularly celebrate and which have become a popular element of our anti-doping program.  UFC athletes want the world to know about the considerable efforts they put forth to prove that they are clean athletes, and the safety and efficacy of Thorne supplements have been integral to that process."

Brand Promotions and Entitlements

As an official marketing partner of UFC and the UFC Performance Institute, Thorne branding will be integrated into a variety of key UFC assets.  Most notably, Thorne will be highlighted in the "Locker Room Cam" broadcast feature during the Main Card of all UFC Pay Per Views, providing Thorne with meaningful visibility before more than 700 million fans in 170 countries, as well as in an estimated 975 million households that receive UFC's broadcasts. 

UFC and Thorne will also collaborate on original content to be distributed through UFC's popular digital and social channels that reach more than 290 million users worldwide.  Thorne will continue to be featured as a Presenting Partner of select segments of "Embedded," UFC's all-access video content series featuring top UFC athletes.  The agreement also provides for an annual Brand Ambassador program that will bring the partnership to life through appearances, content, and creative campaigns with notable UFC athletes.

For more information about the partnership, please visit https://www.thorne.com/partners/ufc.

About UFC
UFC^® is the world's premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 290 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 975 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC's athlete roster features the world's best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization's digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS^®, one of the world's leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC.

About Thorne
Thorne is the leader in science-backed health and wellness solutions committed to helping individuals live healthier longer.  As the top recommended clinical brand by healthcare practitioners, Thorne offers a comprehensive range of products including nutritional supplements and health tests designed to meet the unique needs of individuals at every stage of life. Founded in 1984, Thorne products are formulated with the highest-quality ingredients, supported by clinical research, and rigorously tested to ensure purity, potency, and efficacy. Thorne is the only supplement manufacturer that collaborates with Mayo Clinic on health and wellness research and content and is trusted by 47,000+ health-care professionals, thousands of professional athletes, more than 100 professional sports teams, multiple U.S. National Teams, and more than five million consumers. For more information, visit Thorne.com.

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SOURCE Thorne HealthTech, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of Thorne becoming UFC's Anti-Doping program premier partner for TKO stock?

This partnership strengthens UFC's anti-doping program credibility, as Thorne's NSF Certified for Sport products have resulted in zero failed drug tests since 2019, potentially reducing regulatory risks and enhancing TKO's brand value.

How many viewers will the Thorne-UFC partnership reach through UFC Pay Per Views?

The partnership will reach more than 700 million fans across 170 countries and approximately 975 million households through UFC's broadcasts.

What is the reach of UFC's digital channels for Thorne's content distribution?

Thorne will reach over 290 million users worldwide through UFC's digital and social channels.

How long has Thorne been UFC's Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner?

Thorne has been UFC's Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner since 2019.