UFC strengthens ties with Thorne in global partnership renewal

LAS VEGAS - The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), owned by TKO Group Holdings (TKO), has renewed its global partnership with Thorne, a leader in science-backed health and wellness solutions, to continue as the Official Sports Performance Nutrition Partner and an Official Partner of the UFC Performance Institute. In addition, Thorne is now a premier partner of the UFC’s Anti-Doping program. The deal comes as TKO demonstrates strong business momentum, with revenue growing 108.3% in the last twelve months to $2.78 billion, according to InvestingPro data.

Since 2019, Thorne has been instrumental in providing UFC athletes with NSF Certified for Sport products, which have been integrated into supplement plans by UFC’s registered dietitians and coaches. This collaboration has been credited with a significant reduction in contaminated supplement cases, enhancing the integrity of the UFC’s anti-doping efforts. TKO’s commitment to athlete welfare has contributed to its strong market position, with the company now commanding a market capitalization of $29.57 billion.

Dr. Duncan French, Senior Vice President of the UFC Performance Institute, expressed enthusiasm for the renewal, emphasizing Thorne’s alignment with the UFC’s commitment to athlete success. Thorne’s products are used globally, from athlete support at UFC events to post-competition health and wellbeing.

The partnership will also see Thorne’s branding integrated into UFC assets, including the "Locker Room Cam" during Pay Per View events, reaching over 700 million fans in 170 countries. Thorne will also be featured in "Embedded," UFC’s all-access video series, and collaborate on original content for UFC’s digital and social channels with a reach of 290 million users worldwide. TKO’s stock has shown remarkable strength, gaining over 100% in the past year. InvestingPro analysis reveals 18 additional key insights about TKO’s financial health and market position.

Jeff Novitzky, Senior Vice President of UFC Anti-Doping Compliance, acknowledged Thorne’s role in achieving "Clean Test Milestones," a celebrated element of their anti-doping program. The safety and efficacy of Thorne supplements have been integral in supporting UFC athletes’ commitment to clean competition.

This partnership extension not only underscores the shared values of both organizations in promoting clean sport and athlete health but also aims to engage fans through educational content and experiences. With analysts projecting continued sales growth and profitability for TKO this year, the company appears well-positioned to capitalize on its strategic partnerships and market opportunities.

The information reported here is based on a press release statement.

In other recent news, TKO Group Holdings has been in the spotlight following a series of financial forecasts and strategic moves. Goldman Sachs and Guggenheim have both maintained a Buy rating on TKO Group, lifting their stock targets to $165 and $170 respectively. These adjustments are based on optimistic projections for TKO’s 2024 fourth-quarter results, particularly in the Live Events & Sponsorship segments, as well as positive trends in the company’s variable business segment.

Citi also maintained its Buy rating on TKO Group, increasing the stock target to $170 due to a steady outlook for World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE:TKO) (WWE) and an updated forecast for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) rights. Furthermore, TKO Group’s parent company, Endeavor Group Holdings, has amended a Margin Loan Agreement, increasing the facility size to $2.25 billion.

In a separate development, former WWE CEO Vince McMahon settled charges with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for signing two undisclosed agreements on behalf of himself and WWE, resulting in material misstatements in WWE’s 2018 and 2021 financial statements. McMahon agreed to a cease-and-desist order, a $400,000 civil penalty, and reimbursement to WWE under Section 304(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. These are among the recent developments for TKO Group Holdings and its associated entities.

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