UFC's innovative partnership puts athletes' futures first

Regarded as the world's premier platform for combat sports, the Ultimate Fighting Championship is going beyond the Octagon in China to facilitate athletes' development.

UFC, the Las Vegas-based mixed martial arts organization, announced on Thursday in Beijing that it has signed a strategic cooperation with "Project Arena" — an educational program focused on athletes' development, particularly after their competitive careers end. UFC hopes the link-up will expand its expertise in high-performance training and operational know-how.

The partnership will see both parties actively involved in the training and education of elite athletes, planning their career paths after retirement, and the promotion of the all-around development of sports talents.