The UFC has updated its athlete code of conduct policy to now prohibit fighters and their close associates “from wagering on UFC events,” according to Kevin Iole of YAHOO SPORTS. As more states legalized sports betting, their regulatory bodies “adopted policies that made it illegal for athletes to bet on their sports.” UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell indicated that many states “with legalized sports betting have such a provision.” Campbell: “It’s been made clear to us that a large percentage of regulatory bodies prohibit what they would consider inside betting with people who are active participants in the sports that they bet." He added that athletes “are still able to seek out sponsorships or deals as brand ambassadors from sports betting companies.” Iole noted there is a concern that athletes “could have information such as an injury or training techniques that could make it easier for them to be successful in betting.” However, the UFC “wanted to be certain to not take money out of the athletes' pocket with this change.” That means fighters “can still serve as brand ambassadors and give out picks, if they so choose” (YAHOO SPORTS, 10/17).
