Popular Fitness Franchise Scheduled to Expand across Australia in 2016
Santa Ana, Calif. – UFC GYM®, the fast-growing franchise that combines mixed martial arts (MMA) and fitness, today announced the continued expansion of its global footprint across Australia.
Following the enormous success of UFC® 193: ROUSEY vs. HOLM at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, which marked the highest attended event in UFC® history, UFC GYM has partnered with Ultimate Franchising Group to expand the brand throughout the continent.
Since debuting in 2009, UFC GYM has opened more than 135 locations throughout the United States, Australia and Canada. The fitness franchise has continued to grow at a rapid pace with more than 50 locations opening in the past two years and over 50 gyms expected to open in the next year.
“We are excited to partner with the Ultimate Franchising Group as they embark on an aggressive plan of expansion for UFC GYM in Australia,” UFC GYM CEO Brent Leffel said. As a brand extension for UFC, we look forward to supporting Ultimate Franchising Group in accelerating the growth of our differentiated fitness concept in Australia.”
“The Australian UFC market continues to gain momentum at a rapid pace, highlighted by UFC® 193: ROUSEY vs. HOLM, where more fight fans witnessed a historical main event than ever before,” UFC Executive Vice President of Australia Tom Wright said.
“The UFC GYM flagship location in Sydney has performed extremely well since it opened and we believe this partnership will unlock additional growth paralleled with the continued evolution of UFC’s brand.”
Offering a full-range of functional fitness classes, group and private MMA training, group fitness, personal and group dynamic performance-based training, plus MMA youth programming, UFC GYM creates training programs to fit all ages and fitness levels. UFC GYM programming has been developed through exclusive access to the training regimens of internationally-acclaimed UFC® athletes, providing members with everything they need for the entire family to move, get fit and live a healthy life.
Membership includes unlimited access to UFC Octagon® and signature classes such as Daily Ultimate Training® (DUT®), TRX®, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, boxing, mixed martial arts conditioning, women’s self-defense, as well as popular group fitness classes.
“UFC GYM provides the most unique and inspirational fitness experience in the market with its mixed martial arts centric classes and workouts blended with traditional fitness,” Ultimate Franchising Group Chief Executive Officer Maz Hagemrad, added. “Furthermore, UFC GYM’s Train Different ethos promotes focus, respect, integrity and discipline, in addition to strong physical health. We are proud to be partners with UFC GYM, and the opportunity to be involved with the brand in Australia is unprecedented for prospective franchisees.”
UFC GYM has 11 signature clubs located in the United States, Australia and Canada. In addition to corporately owned locations, UFC GYM offers the opportunity to own and operate franchise models around the world. For more franchise information, please visit www.ufcgyms.com.au.
About UFC GYM®
UFC GYM® is the first major brand extension of UFC®, the world leader in the sport of mixed martial arts (MMA). In alliance with New Evolution Ventures™ (NeV), developers of many of the world’s most successful fitness brands, the UFC GYM brand gives UFC enthusiasts and fitness seekers of all ages the opportunity to practice the training techniques of famed UFC athletes. Offering a full-range of group fitness classes, private MMA training, personal and group dynamic training, plus MMA-style youth programming, UFC GYM creates something for all ages and fitness levels. As the first to combine the world of mixed martial arts and fitness, UFC GYM’s TRAIN DIFFERENT® approach has developed an atmosphere where members can see immediate results. UFC GYM is the ultimate fitness experience. The brand is not what you expect, and more than you can imagine, aiming to continue revolutionizing the fitness industry. For more information, please visit www.ufcgym.com. Like UFC GYM at www.facebook.com/ufcgym, follow at www.twitter.com/ufcgym and www.instagram.com/ufcgym or subscribe at www.youtube.com/UFCgym.
About New Evolution Ventures® (NeV)
Based in Northern California, New Evolution Ventures® (NeV) has a two-decade plus record of success in delivering superior returns on investment, specializing in the acquisition, development and operations management of both domestic and international fitness brands. Founded in 2008 by Mark Mastrov, Jim Rowley and Mike Feeney and following a strategic partnership with Vision Capital in 2011, the current team of NeV professionals is setting industry-wide standards with operations spanning over 20 countries and included hundreds of facilities. NeV’s industry experience has positioned NeV as a global leader in its field, expanding and reinventing the vision of fitness. For more information, visit www.nev.com.
About UFC®
UFC® is the premier mixed martial arts (MMA) organization and largest pay-per-view event provider in the world. Headquartered in Las Vegas with offices in London, Toronto, Singapore and Sao Paulo, UFC produces more than 40 live events annually that consistently sell-out some of the most prestigious arenas around the globe. UFC programming is broadcast in 158 countries and territories to over 1 billion TV households worldwide in 21 different languages. In Australia, the UFC has broadcast agreements with Fox Sports Australia and MAIN EVENT, which includes live events broadcasts, The Ultimate Fighter® reality television show and thousands of hours of programming. In 2014, UFC launched UFC FIGHT PASS®, a digital subscription service that is available throughout the world with exclusive live events, thousands of fights on-demand and original content. The UFC organization also licenses over 100 UFC GYM® locations, and owns UFC.TV® (offering live event broadcasts and video on-demand around the world), UFC FIT® (an in-home fitness and nutrition program), UFC Magazine, and has a videogame franchise with EA SPORTS, UFC Fight Club®, UFC Fan Expo®, UFC branded apparel, DVDs and Blu-rays and Topps Trading Cards. For more information, visit au.ufc.com and follow UFC on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/UFC, on Twitter @UFC_AUSNZ and Instagram @UFC.