UFC fighter Conor McGregor "confirmed his status as one of the most marketable figures" in MMA after "signing a deal with leading sports goods manufacturer, Reebok," according to the IRISH INDEPENDENT. McGregor "confirmed the deal" on Wednesday via his Twitter account. Reebok already has UFC fighters Ronda Rousey, Anthony Pettis, Jon Jones and Johny Hendricks "in their ranks" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 1/15). McGregor said of the deal, "It's a big step forward in my career and I'm honored to be with this brand. This is a big deal for myself. And of course the partnership Reebok and UFC have, and I am honored to be one of the athletes that Reebok has chosen to get behind” (“UFC Tonight,” FS1, 1/15).
DRESS CODE: BLEACHER REPORT's Jeremy Botter reported the UFC on Wednesday "outlined its new Athlete Outfitting Policy in a document sent to managers of all fighters currently on the roster." The document "details nearly every aspect of the new policy with the exception of what each fighter can expect to be paid from the new UFC partnership with Reebok." While monetary details "remain a mystery, the document answers many questions posed after the announcement of the deal." Beginning with this weekend's UFC Fight Night 59 in Boston, UFC will hold "mandatory 'informational sessions' with each fighter participating on the card that will detail the program and answer any questions they may have." UFC also will "begin working with each fighter to develop styles for their individual merchandise." The new UFC Equipment Department will have a team "stationed at each fight card." Fighters ranked in the UFC's official rankings will be the "first to pick the color of their products." For a bout between two ranked fighters, the higher ranked fighter "receives first selection." Upon arriving in the host city and checking in with Zuffa officials, each fighter will be "issued Reebok products to wear for open workouts, media day, weigh-ins and press conferences." If a fighter does not wear the merchandise, they will be "subject to penalties ranging from monetary fines all the way to being removed from the fight." The UFC logo "may not be covered in any way, and outside logos may not be added to any product." But the UFC does "reserve the right to add a sponsor logo to every single product worn by each fighter during the fight week." If a fighter "elects to wear headphones, they must be Octagon by Monster headphones" (BLEACHERREPORT.com, 1/14).
