The UFC is taking the whole “Fight Island” concept floated by President Dana White very seriously. In addition to reportedly securing a private island to use for future events, the promotion (via Zuffa LLC, owned by parent company Endeavor) has filed for multiple trademarks involving both “Fight Island” and “UFC Fight Island.”
Attorney Josh Gerben first reported the filings via Twitter.
A closer look at the trademarks filed for, twenty-two in all, reveals a wind range of applications. Everything from “creating an online community for registered users to participate in discussions and rating of user-generated content” to branded exercise and weight bags, thai pads, head guards, shin guards, jewellery, watches, pins, posters, and the like has been covered. So to has sports bottles, shaker cups, towels, video game software, and of course, potential television and streaming productions. And live events.
Of course, just because the UFC has listed all these applications doesn’t mean each and every one will come to light. But it looks like a series of Fight Island events and associated merchandise is very much the plan.
The filings are dated April 13, 2020 and all are currently live, per the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
In a Friday meeting with fighters, Dana White once again talked up the Fight Island concept. The conference call, which was not open to managers or other representatives, saw White claim that his Fight Island will be up and running by either May or June, per a report by MMA Fighting.
White also reportedly confirmed that Americans would be able to compete on the island — and that visas would not be required, given the island’s location, believed to be in international waters. A number of fighters and their teams have run into visa troubles over the years; notably, UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov has long had to contend with his father’s inability to secure a visa for entry to the U.S.
