10 Sponsorships the UFC Should Pursue for Future FOX Broadcasts

When the UFC decided to drop all gun/knives/hunting sponsors, many "old school" MMA fans were up in arms about the UFC bending to FOX's requests. Instead of dropping sponsors, the UFC should be seeking out new ones.

With the UFC no doubt looking for as clean an image as possible, the politically correct type of sponsors will be No. 1 on the UFC's list.

It's not like the UFC needs money, so it's certainly not a glaring concern for Zuffa. But if the UFC is serious about clearing up their image for mass audiences, these sponsorships would go a long way in helping their cause.

Nike

Nike is one of the premier athletic companies in the world. Their products are also some of the most creative on the market.

Just take a look at the University of Nike (or University of Oregon, officially). New uniforms, basketball courts and numerous other items have showcased Nike's ability to feature their product.

With a sponsorship deal between Nike and the UFC, it would bring the UFC instant "street cred" and a very credible athletic company's backing.

EA Sports

It's no secret that the UFC and THQ have a real buddy-buddy relationship. Dana White has said numerous times that he's very pleased with the relationship between the two companies.

But if the UFC wants to take their video game series to the next level, a collaboration with EA Sports is in order. There's a reason that the brand has created some of the industries leading games like the Madden franchises and FIFA.

Besides being a UFC game, nonfans will also be more likely to try out a game made by EA Sports due to its reputation for producing quality games.

This sponsorship is highly unlikely, but it would still go a long way in helping the UFC's Undisputed series.

Gatorade/Powerade

Gatorade has become almost as synonymous with mainstream sports as the players that drink the product. Powerade may not be as popular, but they still have a big presence in the sports world.

Working with Gatorade may prove to be more profitable, given that most people would likely choose Gatorade over Powerade, but Powerade would likely be more willing to work around the UFC's needs and demands.

If the UFC were to work out a deal with Gatorade, the UFC could make their own drink supplements by modifying the G1/G2/G3 products. Powerade may not have the name, but the UFC has shown they're willing to wait for "the right deal."

Victoria's Secret

As much as men love watching MMA, women arguably like it just as much. How could they not enjoy two guys with six-pack abs half naked for 15-25 minutes?

The Victoria's Secret Pink brand has really taken off the past few years, with VS even opening stores that sell only their Pink brand of clothing. Affliction has been the main clothing company to focus on selling women's clothing, but VS could easily take control of that customer base.

Like any major clothing company, just slapping the logo on a piece of clothing will generate a sale. The UFC has control of the young adult male demographics. A VS sponsor deal could secure young adult women as well.

Boys and Girls Club of America

Besides parading around members of the US Armed Forces with American flags, helping children is one of the best ways to get good PR with mass audiences.

All the other major sports leagues have programs to help children. Take a look at the NBA Cares or the NFL Play 60 campaign as examples of how the players spend a little time in order to help their images.

Sure the MMA isn't exactly the most kid-friendly sport bu,t fighters could bring the working out and martial arts discipline to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

What parent would argue with having their kid play outside and learning good discipline?

Monster

Xenergy may be the official energy drink sponsor of the UFC, but ask any casual person about Xenergy and they're likely to look at you like a deer in the headlights.

Monster has been at the forefront for a lot of action sports like Motocross and BMX, why not add MMA to their list as well?

Beyond the energy drinks, selling UFC clothes with a monster logo would give the UFC a huge revenue boost as the brand transcends worldwide.

NordicTrack/Life Fitness

While the UFC has many fans, very few—if any—will ever step foot inside a cage. Instead of encouraging people to join MMA gyms around the country, the UFC could be selling official UFC brand treadmills.

A deal with two popular brands—Nordic Track and Life Fitness—would help the UFC break into the "home gym" market. Working out at home has become a popular fad for people who either don't have the time or the money to go to a gym.

The UFC could even create their own workout settings to recreate a five-round fight or help give fans an idea of the explosiveness during a fight.

Under Armour

Georges St-Pierre has already worked out a deal with Under Armour, but why sponsor one fighter when you can sponsor the whole promotion?

Rash guards are a common sight in any MMA gym, and the UA logo is a symbol of status in pop culture. People are willing to pay top dollar for anything remotely related to Under Amour (I would know).

Besides rash guards, the UFC could create their own compression shorts, tights (like the ones Anderson Silva and Rashad Evans wear) and even shoes for training purposes.

Men's Wearhouse

Sticking with the idea of cleaning up their image, a sponsorship with Men's Wearhouse would certainly help the fighters look presentable to a mainstream audience.

It could create some problems with the fighters and their sponsor T-shirts, but if the UFC wants to prevent their fighters from resembling European soccer players, putting fighters in suits would create a professional image with which everyone can identify.

The UFC should take note of what the NBA did by making it mandatory that players wear business professional clothes when not playing. The players still act and talk the same, but at least the "thug image" isn't as prevalent as it was before the angel of David Stern started to work his magic.

Chevy/Chrysler/Ford

The only thing more American than the stars and stripes is driving a Chevy or Ford truck through some mud.

The UFC could also work into giving a new ride as part of their bonus programs (Fight of the Night, Knockout/Submission of the Night).

If the UFC wanted to go all out about being patriotic and having a vehicle sponsor, having Chrysler be a part of the show would do the UFC a lot of good in terms of PR.

After a tumultuous few years, it seems the home of Chrysler (Detroit) is finally on its way back. As Vince Vaughn once said, "It's people helping people; everyone wants to be part of the miracle."