UFC signed a multiyear deal with Oura Health, the company behind the Oura smart ring that has helped athletes and users detect early symptoms of COVID-19, as its "first-ever 'Official Health Wearable,'" according to Jessica Golden of CNBC.com. As part of the deal, Oura "will provide UFC with the smart rings and use of the company's Health Risk Management platform, allowing athletes and training staff to share their data, should the fighters decide to opt into the program." UFC VP/Performance Duncan French said that fighters "will not be wearing the Oura ring during competition, but the ring will be used as a 'health and wellness' tool to measure long-term health." Golden noted use of the ring is "optional, but after just two weeks, nearly 60 fighters are currently using one, in addition to 40 event staff." The Oura ring's virus detection benefits have led the NBA, WNBA and NASCAR to sign similar deals for players and staff in recent months, and Oura CEO Harpreet Rai said that the company expects to announce "new partnerships with other sports and companies in the days ahead" (CNBC.com, 9/15).
KICKED ON THE ISLAND: UFC President Dana White appeared on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” Thursday afternoon to announce “we are going back to Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi, starting with the UFC 253 PPV on Sept. 26. White said the MMA promotion is “working on some fun stuff” for fighter Conor McGregor “at the beginning of next year, so he should be back next year." White: "I’m not saying he’s coming back to fight guaranteed, but we’re talking right now about some stuff" (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 9/17).
