Malibu, CA – JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (Nasdaq: JAKK), leading U.S. toymaker and master toy licensee for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), announced today a sub-licensing agreement with Mixed Marital Arts (MMA) collectibles company, Round 5, to share UFC and MMA talent, allowing both companies access to the biggest fighters in Mixed Martial Arts in order to manufacture, market and distribute action figures and related products under the Ultimate Fighting Championship brand.
As a result, both companies now have access to a significantly larger MMA talent pool, including Randy Couture, Wanderlei Silva, Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Chuck Liddell, Forrest Griffin, Brock Lesnar, BJ Penn and other top UFC fighters.
“This is truly a match made in heaven and we are excited to enter into this agreement with Round 5,” said Jeremy Padawer, SVP Boys Entertainment Marketing, JAKKS Pacific. “As the master toy licensee for the UFC, JAKKS can now offer MMA fans an entire world of action figures, accessories and other collectibles encompassing the most notable fighters in the fight world. The synergy between JAKKS and R5 will ensure a cohesive and comprehensive merchandise offering at retail that will benefit all parties involved, including JAKKS, R5 and the UFC, as well as the MMA fighters themselves, and most importantly, MMA fans.”
JAKKS’ new UFC line of toys and collectibles is expected to be available at retailers nationwide starting this Fall, with plans to roll out the newly acquired talent beginning as early as Spring 2010. Along with the full line of deluxe articulated action figures, JAKKS will also offer Octagon playsets, accessories and role play toys based on the Ultimate Fighting Championship, PRIDE Fighting Championship and World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).
“We want to provide fans with the most complete and authentic line of UFC products,” said UFC President, Dana White. “This agreement with JAKKS Pacific and Round 5 brings the biggest players in the MMA action figure world together – now our fans will have access to the best and most diverse line of action figures.”
Damon Lau, President, Round 5, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with JAKKS and UFC, and are confident that our teamwork will produce a more comprehensive product offering for MMA fans. In addition, JAKKS and R5 will facilitate marketing and distribution efficiencies at retail to increase exposure of our core product offerings. We are very excited to expand our line of display 6” collectible figurines and 10” display collectible statues with more of the biggest names in MMA.”
-Press Release