Earlier in June, DraftKings announced that the digital sports and gaming company would further extend its collaboration with the UFC.
Plans are in the works to launch a new edition of DraftKings’ gamified NFT franchise, “Reignmakers,” with the latest iteration focusing on UFC.
“We’re excited to enhance our partnership with DraftKings,” said UFC’s Senior VP of Global Consumer Products, Tracey Bleczinski, “to include UFC in their highly anticipated Reignmakers gamified NFT series.”
iGaming and the digital playground, including NFTs, are the latest trends pushing the world of sports betting forward. CT sports bettors looking for an exciting new way to engage with UFC will be interested in the new DK offer.
About DraftKings Reignmakers
DraftKings’ gamified franchise of digital collectibles, Reignmakers, is the gaming company’s way of creating new modes of play for sports enthusiasts.
The first available edition, Reignmakers Basketball, is an NFT Fantasy Basketball game that DraftKings launched with NFLPA back in May. As DraftKings’ latest addition to betting, iGaming, and fantasy sports, Reignmakers Basketball allows users to win prizes using real players.
What will Reignmakers UFC NFT-based game wind up as?
Reignmakers UFC will be similar to DraftKings’ basketball version. Fans will be able to collect NFTs of UFC fighters and use them in fantasy games to win prizes.
Beth Beiriger, DraftKings Demand Senior VP of Product Operations, sees the passion of UFC fans as an indicator of the future success of Reignmakers UFC. Beiriger stated:
“Fight fans have always been among the most engaged audiences. And we see these immersive experiences as enhancing the unique sports entertainment environment we provide to consumers while also catering to their undeniable passion.”
The partnership between UFC and DraftKings grants DraftKings access to choose from over 500 UFC fighters on the active roster. With this pool of athletes, DraftKings Marketplace will be able to create the Reignmakers UFC collection of NFTs. Bleczinski explained:
“Reignmakers UFC is a unique, innovative opportunity to create fan engagement. It combines DraftKings’ expertise in digital sports entertainment with groundbreaking technology featuring hundreds of UFC athletes, including some of the biggest names in the sport.”
Before the launch of Reignmakers UFC, fight fans will be able to start collecting NFTs through auctions and drops during DraftKings’ “Heatwave Series.” The series aligns with UFC’s summer events schedule.
Once launched, the game will have a multitude of unique features, including:
- Tasks
- Achievements
- Level-ups
- Leaderboards
Fans who collect NFTs will receive both digital and physical rewards before and after the game’s launch. Rewards are based on the NFT’s utility and may include cash tournaments, merchandise, and more.
Fighter items will eventually become in-game items that can be playable.
According to Bleczinski, UFC fighters will be contracted to earn up to 50% of licensing revenues generated by their NFTs. The percentage will be determined by the popularity of the NFT among fans.
The moment will the to begin with season involving Reignmakers ULTIMATE FIGHTER CHAMPIONSHIPS go live?
Scheduled to launch later this year, Reignmakers UFC is still in production. The first phase of the game will kick off with NFT auctions and drops on June 29, which is prior to UFC 276: ADESANYA vs. CANNONIER.
NFTs that will be released on DraftKings’ Marketplace will vary in rarity tiers. Drops will include NFTs that are entry-level for broad affordability.
Fans can also buy and sell UFC NFTs on DraftKings’ secondary market.
The next step in a very years-long romance between DraftKings and ULTIMATE FIGHTER CHAMPIONSHIPS
DraftKings and UFC already have a five-year partnership, with a deal signed in March, that’s worth up to $100 million. Reignmakers UFC is the next step in that successful relationship.
“UFC has been a tremendous collaborator over the years,” said Beiriger. “And we are thrilled for the organization to represent our latest installment within DraftKings’ burgeoning Reignmakers gamified digital collectibles franchise.”
However, UFC did launch NFTs for MMA fans in their partnership with Dapper Labs back in January.
The future of DraftKings Reignmakers
With Reignmakers Football launching earlier and Reignmakers UFC set to launch at the end of 2022, the digital gaming franchise has seen considerable success from the start.
DraftKings is reportedly actively in conversation with pro sports leagues to continue developing Reignmakers. The company states that minting a new set of digital collectibles each year is the plan.
