UFC names NinjaTrader as Official Futures Trading Partner

The UFC has signed NinjaTrader, a Payward company specializing in retail futures trading technology, as its Official Futures Trading Partner under a multiyear agreement that brings futures trading visibility to the promotion's 700 million fans across 210 countries and territories, the organization announced Monday.

The deal positions NinjaTrader as Presenting Partner of Dana White's Contender Series and makes the platform an Official Partner of UFC Freedom 250, the historic event scheduled for June 14 at the White House grounds in Washington, D.C. NinjaTrader branding will appear in the Octagon, across broadcasts, on fight kits worn by Contender Series athletes, and as Presenting Partner of the official Freedom 250 watch party at the Ellipse.

Partnership targets UFC's disciplined fan base

Nicholas Smith, Senior Vice President of Global Partnerships at TKO, told UFC.com that the alignment between the sport's demands and trading discipline made the partnership natural. "UFC fans understand discipline, preparation, and the pressure of performing in moments that matter, which makes NinjaTrader a perfect partner for UFC," he said. The company has spent over two decades building technology designed to give individual traders access to institutional-grade tools.

Arjun Sethi, Co-CEO of Payward, framed the partnership as an extension of the company's broader mission to eliminate barriers in financial markets. "Anyone with an internet connection should have access to the same markets, on the same terms, as anyone else," Sethi said, per the release. He compared Payward's approach to the UFC's global reach and transparent competition structure.

The partnership includes fan-facing activations such as trading competitions, educational programming, and opportunities to trade alongside professional traders using the same infrastructure employed by leading prop firms. NinjaTrader becomes the exclusive Official Fight Kit Partner for the Contender Series, with branding on walkout gear and corner team apparel starting with the show's next season.

Source: ufc.com