Meta signs sponsorship deal with UFC

Mark Zuckerberg’s transition to buffed-up, cagefighting MAGA bro continues. Meta has signed a multimillion sponsorship deal with TKO Group’s UFC, whose CEO Dana White joined the board of the tech giant in January.

Meta will become the official “fan technology partner” of UFC and will have its branding featured at its pay-per-view and “Fight Night” events.

Financial terms haven’t been disclosed.

The deal, which doesn't include media rights currently held by ESPN, was being worked on in the second half of 2024.

Although White and Zuckerberg did not personally work on the details, the head of TKO’s partnerships tells CNBC it’s “nice to have the air cover” of the executives’ close relationship.

Zuckerberg will hope the partnership is a haymaker, but his personal interest in martial arts might help save some cash, too.

In 2023, the bill for Zuckerberg’s personal security was $23 million.