UFC reaches out to Octagon Nation

Two young fans experience the joy of holding up a UFC title at
The UFC Octagon Nation Tour on Jan. 28th in Oakland.

As part of the AMA Supercross event that was in Oakland on January 28^th, the UFC also made its presence felt in the form of their touring memorabilia big rig. The UFC Octagon Nation Tour has been making its way across the country and this past weekend it landed in the Bay Area. Yours truly had a chance to take a peek and see the lengths the UFC is taking to connect to their fans.

This isn’t a traveling exhibit just for die-hard fans of mixed martial arts. As Deshalen Barber, tour manager for the Octagon Nation, explains that “because of the variety of stops, we not only come across both the hardcore and casual fans, but also people who are completely unaware.”

Going to places like a Dave Matthews Band concert, for example, where a majority of the crowd is unaware of the UFC and MMA, is the type of place the tour goes because “the main purpose of the tour is to spread brand awareness,” and as Barber puts it “we were fortunate to enough to be their introduction to the world of mixed martial arts.”

Fans of all ages and demographics can find some sort of enjoyment when visiting the tour bus. There’s original memorabilia for people to see, like a replica belt, artifacts from the early years of the UFC and even an opportunity to get an early glimpse at the UFC’s latest video game UFC: Undisputed 3.

Fans get a special glimpse at the new UFC video game UFC 3: Undisputed
this past weekend as part of the AMA Supercross Pit Party.

Unlike most museums or exhibits, the UFC Octagon Nation Tour wants fans to get up close with the artifacts and get hands on with everything. In addition to the video game demo, fans can check out UFC.TV (which allows fans to view all previous UFC pay-per-view events). Plus, Barber says fans experience the Fight Card experience, which “allows the fan to go through a series of challenges to test their skills as a UFC fighter.”

The UFC Octagon Nation Tour has become a great way for the hardcore and casual fans, even MMA novices, to get a glimpse into the UFC storied past. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the right partnership.

Barber admits that having a partner like supercross is best, “With supercross being an overly physical and adrenaline focused sport, it is only natural for fans to be intrigued by the UFC.”

Wherever you are, whatever your interest level is the UFC Octagon Nation Tour is something that anybody would enjoy.

For a listing of upcoming tour dates to see if the experience is coming to you, click this link: http://www.ufc.com/tour.

Follow me on Twitter @NiteshDutt.