Top 3 Poker Stars Casino UFC Sponsorships

PokerStars Casino is one of the most recognizable iGaming brands in the world, and as such, it attracts thousands of players on a daily basis. Equally famous for its brilliant games and competitive sports betting odds, as for poker tournaments, PokerStars doesn’t miss a beat and grabs just as much attention with its sponsorships. Namely, this online casino is one of the biggest UFS sponsors and a brand that never ceases to amaze with its innovative campaigns. As a true veteran of the industry, PokerStars keeps pushing boundaries since 2001, when it was founded. Nowadays, it is one of the biggest online casino sites around, always ready to thrill players looking for legendary PokerStars live poker tournaments, blackjack games and slot machines. But there is no time to beat around the bushes! Instead, let’s focus on PokerStars UFC sponsorships, right here on Fightful.com. 

About Pokerstars Casino: Fun, Attractive and Fair

PokerStars online casino is an online gambling site that offers more than 1,500 different casino games, attractive bonuses and promotions, as well as the most renowned poker rooms in the world. For many, this online casino is more than a mere gambling site — it is a lifestyle. Most players sign up with it to play PokerStars online poker, the game that made the platform famous. The repertoire of PokerStars online poker games is downright stupefying. There are must-have classics like Texas Hold’em and Omaha High, and more niche types of popular game like Fusion and Badugi. Qualifying players can join tournaments and sometimes even tours. It all depends on how successful they are, but every poker fan, no matter how anonymous, gets the same chance. The online casino section is equally remarkable, with well over 1,500 titles, covering all genres. That being said, the most sought-after type of game is slots. The best slots PokerStars can provide are blockbusters such as Book of Dead, Bounty Smash, Sugar Rush, Master Joker, and different jackpot series. Table games are equally impressive, with a range of video poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat and similar casino games. Patrons who wish for a more authentic gambling experience are going to love the PokerStars live casino. In this action-packed category, it is possible to enjoy games live-streamed from studios and brick-and-mortar casinos. PokerStars live casino blackjack, roulette, baccarat and casino poker, are accompanied by a medley of more exotic games, such as sic bo and teen patti. On top of that, this part of the website is also home to unorthodox game shows in which players can experience multiple genres and mini-games at once, along with life-changing potential prizes. It goes without saying, that the gaming giant could never sponsor famous UFC fighters if it wasn’t for its sportsbook. This bookie supports both pre-match and live betting not only on the most popular championship but more MMA tournaments and leagues than imaginable. At the same time, it covers all the more conservative bases, such as soccer, tennis, basketball, and ice hockey. The online sporstbook delivers all the relevant markets, including 1×2, over/under, props and handicaps. Is there anything left to wish for? Not really, as action on the PokerStars online platform comes bearing intriguing bonus deals. The brand boasts a majestic repertoire of bonuses that will boost players’ potential and help them play. Furthermore, safe and reliable payment methods introduced the brand into the league of the most extraordinary gambling operators. Banking cards (Visa and MasterCard), e-wallets (MuchBetter and Neosurf among others), different types of bank wires and even cheques, will help every gambler find at least a few methods that will work for them. Ultimately, PokerStars casino is surprisingly budget-friendly. Although it would be easy to think that an online casino of this calibre would ask for a massive deposit, a mere $10 top-up is all it takes to unlock the doors of the biggest gambling attraction on the globe. General information – Pokerstars casino Casino brand Pokerstars Year of establishment 2001 License UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, Danish Gambling Authority, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, DGE Payment methods Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, Local Bank Transfer, SMS, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Apple Pay, WebMoney, Qiwi, ecoPayz, MuchBetter Selection of games and slots Texas Hold’em, Omaha High, Fusion, Badugi, Book of Dead, Bounty Smash, Sugar Rush, Master Joke, video poker, blackjack, roulette, baccarat Game providers NetEnt, Microgaming, Playtech, Evolution Gaming, Quickspin, Yggdrasil Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Red Tiger Gaming

PokerStars as UFS Sponsors: A Lasting Relationship

Did you know that the PokerStars Casino was the first official poker partner of the Ultimate Fighting Championship? Back in 2018, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization inked a deal with PokerStars and entered a new era. Beforehand, it was close to impossible for the championship to land such generous UFS sponsors, but ever since, the organization has managed deals with ESPN, Modelo, and Anheuser-Busch. Although details of the UFC PokerStars contract remain secret, the fact it keeps on running six years after it was sealed, proves both sides get the longer end of the stick. In the first part of the campaign, PokerStars was prominently featured within the renowned Octagon during the ultimate Pay-Per-View spectacle of 2018, Ultimate Fighting Championship 232: JONES vs. GUSTAFSSON 2. Moreover, the collaboration continued across various promotional channels such as telecasts, digital platforms, social media, and additional promotional avenues. Christopher Coyne, Chief Marketing Officer of PokerStars Casino at the time, accentuated the fact both brands have a lot in common. For them, PokerStars UFC deal proved that the two brands share the same core values: the desire to thrill and entertain. Coyne mentioned both companies are heavyweights, one in the world of MMA and the other in the world of poker. Paul Asencio, who was Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Senior Vice President in 2018, shared the same sentiment. They expressed the deal that resulted in a new category of sponsorship was a foundation stone for a lucrative partnership that will last for a long time. It seems Asencio was right, as in 2024, the connection between the two brands is still fruitful. The brands continue to cooperate on more levels than they did at the very beginning, and it looks like they will remain intertwined for the time to come.

UFC as a New Marketing Platform for PokerStars Casino

UFC fights attract crowds. Even though this sport is not as nearly as popular as soccer, it is one of the fastest-growing entertainment niches in the world. According to statistics, at least 10.63% between the ages of 18 to 29 have watched Ultimate Fighting Championship pay-per-view matches in the past year. The numbers keep growing, although pay-per-view prices have been steadily increasing since 2019. PokerStars poker platform and Ultimate Fighting Championship share the same audience, which makes the latter an ideal promotional channel. In fact, one of the very first campaigns the gambling site ran on Ultimate Fighting Championship matches was for Spin & Go tournaments. Spin & Go is a type of tournament that is not just fast and rewarding but also played in the famous Octagon cage. Ultimate Fighting Championship proved to be an efficient platform for promoting new gambling products and is frequently used to release new PokerStars promotions.

PokerStars Sponsored Players in UFC

Perhaps even the more popular partnership format is the one the gambling operator has with famous faces from the UFC scene. The partnership between the fighting organization and the gambling site has been a dynamic collaboration that bridges the worlds of mixed martial arts and online poker, and ventures into social media and “viral” products. This is also the most intriguing part of the collaboration, as it is a delicious cocktail of stardom, gambling and attention-grabbing marketing ads. PokerStars Casino carefully chooses its ambassadors, after listening to the public heartbeat and detecting potential trends and perspective players.

Meet PokerStars Ambassadors and Famous UFC Fighters

PokerStars has a long history of partnering with prominent athletes and celebrities. These ambassadors, often top-tier professionals in their domain, represent PokerStars Casino at live tournaments, online events, and promotional activities while embodying the values of the brand: excellence, integrity, and a passion for the game. It is the PokerStars ambassadors that allow both companies to step into the spotlight! The most famous faces of the UFC are strategically picked to promote PokerStars Casino, due to their charisma, professionalism, and ability to connect with fans. UFC PokerStars ambassadors stand for the diversity of the poker community, coming from different backgrounds and cultures but united by their love for the game, both poker and Ultimate Fighting Championship. Let’s meet the celebrities who work with the gambling brand!

The Face of PokerStars Casino: Daniel Cormier, UFC Fighter

Daniel Cormier became the face of Pokerstars Casino in May 2019, at the same time as Bruce Buffer and Johnny Walker. The UFC heavyweight champion explained there are many similarities between fighting and playing poker, including timing, stamina and persistence. Cormier also revealed that in 2008, when they were one of the wrestlers representing the USA in the Olympics in Beijing, one of the team’s favourite pastimes was — you guessed it — playing poker! No wonder they were invited to represent PokerStars! Cormier was born on March 20, 1979, in Lafayette, Louisiana, USA. They are one of only two fighters who managed to become Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champions. Their career spans far and beyond MMA, as they were also a six-time US World or Olympic Team Member. On their shelves, you will find a bronze medal from the World Championship, as well as gold and bronze medals from the Pan American Games. The fighter is a hard-core fan of the New Orleans Saints and a big supporter of wrestling.

PokerStars Casino Face: Johnny Walker, the Best of Brazilian UFC Fighters

Johnny Walker is more than just whiskey! It is also the name of one of the most successful Brazilian UFC fighters that ever entered the cage. Born as Walker Johnny da Silva Barra de Souza, they have been fighting since 2013 in the Light Heavyweight division. Although specialized in mixed martial arts, their strongest asset is a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Additionally, he uses moves from close combat hapkido, boxing, and taekwondo. After they became one of the ambassadors of PokerStars Casino, Walker expressed being thrilled with the opportunity, as they are always up for a good challenge and ready to sharpen their senses. What sets Walker apart from other players is the sense of humour, and the ability to criticize others without ever becoming insulting.

PokerStars Casino Ambassador: Bruce Buffer, UFC Announcer

Let’s face the fact: fights wouldn’t be nearly as exciting if there wasn’t for the Bruce Buffer. The famous UFC announcer is what brings hype, tension, and a dash of glamour into every match. Famous for the famous “It’s time!”, Buffer has as much power in the Octagon as any of the fighters. The announcer has been the face of the PokerStars casino since 2019. Even though they seem like an odd choice, Buffer is an avid poker player and gambling enthusiast, with experience from land-based venues in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Their favourite poker variant is Texas Hold’em. Bruce was born in 1957, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. It could be said fighting runs through their blood, as the famous boxing announcer Michael Buffer is their brother.

UFC + PokerStars Casino: A Match Made in Heaven

We rarely witness such a wonderful synergy of different brands. However, the partnership between PokerStars Casino and UFC proved anything is possible. It brought together two global powerhouses, each with its own passionate fan base and extensive reach. For the Ultimate Fighting Championship, partnering with PokerStars provided an opportunity to tap into the massive audience of online poker enthusiasts, many of whom shared an interest in combat sports. Conversely, for the gambling operator, associating with the Ultimate Fighting Championship offered access to a demographic of sports fans who were already primed for engaging with competitive entertainment. It’s worth noting that sponsorships in the sports industry can evolve due to various factors such as contractual agreements, changes in marketing strategies, or shifts in industry dynamics. The future of both PokerStars and the most popular MMA organization is bright, and if they continue at the same pace, will be fruitful in the challenging years to come.