Ryan Vevon Rapaport’s Post

What is real entertainment in combat sports? When athletes don't take themselves too seriously. This whole press conference puts that on display, but one athlete leaned into it more than anyone else. I do not doubt that Ultimate Fighting Championship Champion Alexander Volkanovski is showing up prepared, but his leaning into this comedic schtick ahead of what surely is a no-laughing matter, potentially a life-or-death fight, is more than for laughs. What casual fans aren't thinking about, though: it's about selling the fight. Yes, Volk is bringing humor to the build-up, but he is not just playing around. He is smartly increasing interest in his championship fight with Ilia Topuria. This is crucial for athlete's pockets, especially when pay-per-view points are on the line. A fighter who can entertain both inside and outside the octagon isn't just a fighter these days. They're a brand. They're driving up sales and their earnings. In the end, it's the fighters who can sell a fight before stepping into the ring who often come out on top, financially and professionally. #linkedinsports #ufc #mma #entertainment ESPN

Did the UFC just change the game for sports? 👀🥊 This past weekend, the Ultimate Fighting Championship delivered an absolute masterclass in storytelling and production, celebrating Mexican Independence Day at a truly one of a kind event. Dana White brought in top filmmakers and creative powerhouses, the likes of those behind Taylor Swift's tour, the Super Bowl, and the Oscars. The results? The highest-grossing UFC event EVER, and the most of ANY show at the Sphere. This goes to show what can happen when you bring in top talent, leverage the newest technology, and hone in on the art of storytelling. And it wasn't just the insane level of detail within each of the 6 immersive scenes that blew me away, but all the in-person details that tied the whole thing together. My favorite? The stunning outfits worn by the octagon girls, bringing a sense of in-real-life characters to match the short films presented before each fight. I already thought UFC was one of, if not THE best, live sporting event out there. But this just took it to a whole new level. What do you think? Are high-production events the future of live sports? https://lnkd.in/euRmkACS

Your WHY is the difference between grinding & thriving If you lack a WHY... 🚨 🚨 🚨 fix that immediately You will continue to feel lost, stressed and drained until you cultivate a vision --- Who y'all got for UFC today? My picks in the comments

Is the Mike Tyson Fight Rigged? Exploring the Odds Join us as we delve into the intriguing world of the upcoming Mike Tyson fight. We analyze the odds and discuss the possibility of it being rigged. Don't miss out on this captivating discussion! #MikeTysonFight #RiggedOdds #BoxingAnalysis #SportsTalk #FightPredictions #YouTubeSports #MikeTyson #BoxingWorld #TysonVsYouTuber #ControversialMatch

My paper using MMA data was just published 😊 I analyzed UFC data from 2019 (with audiences) and 2020 (without audiences) to see how the presence of spectators influences fighters' ability to finish bouts before the time limit. The results were intriguing: having an audience actually decreases the likelihood of early finishes. However, this effect was less pronounced for female fighters. My study not only highlights these dynamics but also suggests interventions to help athletes perform their best, regardless of audience presence. #Research #UFC #SportsScience #MixedMartialArts #PerformanceAnalysis #COVID19Research

The future of the fight game. Will you be watching? Have you watched UFC in the past couple of years? If you have you have definitely noticed the changes that have occurred over the past couple of years. From fighters coming and going, to hosting events in new places, and even the rise of sports betting. The UFC continues its growth and a bright future is ahead. The UFC is inspiring a generation of new fans and fighters to engage with their product. Youth is the key in the coming of age of the internet and social media and the UFC is embracing that. With this growth of fans and fighters comes money and with that money the UFC is pouring it back into their organization. The future of the UFC is bright and fans turn to an exciting future with many more exciting announcements to come.

You double-booked our event? With one of our competitors? Okay sure, no problem…. Congrats to all the Ultimate Fighting Championship Production teams for pulling off one heck of a technical banger and working non stop to pull off Noche UFC this last weekend 🙌 → A double-booking by UFC’s exclusive home in Las Vegas, T-Mobile Arena, led to the first live sporting event held at the Sphere this last Saturday — read on for some highlights about the production of Noche UFC ... Production: 💲 Average UFC card production = ~$2 mil 💰 Starting Noche UFC production budget = $8 mil 💸 Final Noche UFC production budget = over $20 mil → Included the production of 6 short films that celebrated Mexican combat sports and their contributions 🎟️ Sales: Highest grossing event for both UFC and the Sphere → $22 mil gate (ticket revenue) + highest recorded merch sales for a single UFC event → Average ticket = $3,600 → Ringside for the Alvarez/Berlanga fight capped at $4,000 (held at T-Mobile Arena / the event that caused the double-booking ) 📈 Sell out crowd: 16,024 (Sphere 18,600-20k) Technical: 🔆 It took 4 months for teams to work through a lighting reconfiguration plan for the octagon 🍥 Rendering for the Sphere took a whooping 12 days → Compared to just hours on a regular fight card → A 'Rendering Farm' was built onsite to accommodate 🎥 There were 45 camera angles → Compared to ~20 cameras on a regular fight card 🦾 2 dedicated fight broadcast crews + 2 additional crews dedicated to ensure the Sphere’s immersive experience could broadcast to at home viewers with a real feel of sitting in the 300-400 levels Viewer : 🤑 Most popular and expensive tickets were higher up where the screen was in full view vs ring-side 📳 For select attendees (~10k) haptic feedback was used during live fights & storytelling segments 👀 Augmented Reality used to display real-time data on screen + broadcast: strike speed, impact force, grappling statistics and A 📝 AI statistical support for at home viewers and broadcasters: strike counts, takedowns, submission attempts Resources: (12 min) Fox Sports Interview with UFC’s Executive Producer, Craig Borsari https://lnkd.in/gkRmiaTi https://lnkd.in/gfJsjc4G https://lnkd.in/gk-8ewGt -- Need help working through the logistics of your event or activation? Let's connect!

How is the Ultimate Fighting Championship looking to exceed expectations in 2024? The UFC in 2024 stands out for several key reasons: - Diverse Matchups: UFC's 2024 schedule is already gearing up for notable events like UFC 297 in Toronto and UFC 298 in Anaheim, featuring top-tier fights such as Strickland vs. du Plessis and Volkanovski vs. Topuria. - Global Expansion: The UFC extends its reach beyond traditional venues, hosting events in Mexico City, Riyadh, Brazil, the UK, Abu Dhabi, France, Australia, and Las Vegas. - Divisional Talent: Notable fighters across various divisions, including Zhang Weili, Islam Makhachev, Sean O'Malley, and Jon Jones, bring dynamism and excitement and are expected to be set up for big matchups. - Technological Advancements: A partnership with Cosm will enhance the fan experience through immersive 8K Pay-Per-View events, combining virtual and physical viewing experiences. 2024 promises to be a significant year for the UFC, driven by a mix of compelling fights, global presence, and technological innovation. I'm looking forward to watching it evolve! #ufc #linkedinsports

So, I'm a huge MMA/UFC fan, and fight nights are the highlight of my month. As with many aspects of life, I often take the time to meditate on the philosophical nature of hobbies and life events. Noche UFC incorporated a celebration of Mexican history, culture, and independence, and that is what got me thinking about why I love combat sports and the community. First, MMA heavily encourages an honor culture where athletes know they are competitors, not enemies. Second, combat sports are inherently diverse because every culture and civilization has had a warrior class (knights, samurai, cuāuhtli, nihang, etc.). This is truly a sport for everyone. Third, relatedly to the second point, diversity is also encouraged via allowing fighters to openly celebrate their religion and culture, unlike most other sports. Fourth, UFC assiduously promotes freedom of thought and speech, which is incredibly appreciated considering how so many other sports oppose that. Finally, MMA requires dedication and passion for an exceptional skillset, and I think more security professionals should take that mindset. Especially because this dedicated skillset is one more people need to know to improve their lives (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually). #MondayThoughts #MMA #UFC #Security #Mindset

UFC 300: A Game-Changing Night in Combat Sports! With a sold-out arena and record-breaking revenue of $14.1 million from ticket sales alone, it's evident that MMA has ascended to new heights. The unforgettable BMF title clash between Max Holloway and Justin Gaethje, along with tremendous championship performances, made UFC 300 even more spectacular than anyone could have imagined. As a student deeply passionate about the sports business landscape, witnessing the strategic brand partnerships with industry titans like Intuit TurboTax and Revlon is nothing short of inspiring. With UFC expanding its sponsor roster to an impressive 46 brands and already securing 11 global/U.S. brand deals this year, the trajectory of combat sports is undeniably on an upward trend. A round of applause is in order for the entire production and broadcast teams because UFC 300 had that “massive event” feel from the outset, in large part because both of those units conveyed the magnitude and historic nature of the show the whole way through. What do you believe lies ahead for the future of combat sports and the unparalleled opportunities it presents for athletes and brands? Let's dive into the conversation! #UFC300 #SportsBiz #FutureofCombatSports