Nemiroff Signs Multi-Year Deal With UFC To Become Official Vodka Partner

Ukraine-based Nemiroff vodka has entered into a multi-year, global partnership with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The deal provides Nemiroff with status as the “Official Vodka” partner of the UFC, which is a brand new sponsorship category for the sport.

Additionally, Nemiroff will be granted a branded presence within the Octagon at all UFC events, including those remaining on the pay-per-view calendar in 2018. The first branding opportunity comes on September 8, when Tyron Woodley takes on Darren Till in the main event at UFC 228 in Dallas.

“The alcohol and spirits categories continue to be an important component of our sponsorship business, and Nemiroff’s global popularity will help us grow UFC’s brand and the sport of MMA around the world,” says Paul Asencio, UFC Senior Vice President, Global Partnerships.

Nemiroff will join Modelo Especial as an alcohol brand with an association with UFC. Last year, Modelo took over the beer sponsorship category after Bud Light possessed the sponsorship for nine years. The deal with Modelo is said to be worth millions of dollars to the UFC.

In 2017, the UFC also entered into a business relationship with sports drink BODYARMOR, which announced that it sold a minority ownership of its company to Coca-Cola in August.

Because Nemiroff has only captured the vodka category, UFC still has the ability to broker deals with other alcohol beverages in categories such as tequilla, rum and whiskey. It is thus very likely that UFC announces additional spirit-related deals in the near future.

Terms of the Nemiroff deal with UFC, other than the fact that it is a multi-year deal, were not disclosed.