Cage Warriors returns to its US home in San Diego for Cage Warriors 159, with the show set to see the promotion making its debut in the Metaverse.
Meta and the UFC have partnered up to bring events to the Metaverse, with Friday night’s Cage Warriors show available for fans to experience in a new, immersive fashion, via Xtadium, the virtual reality sports hub on the Meta Quest platform. The event will serve as a taster for what’s to come a little further down the line, with a dedicated UFC world in Meta Horizon Worlds set to be launched later this year.
“There are few experiences as riveting as watching an MMA fight live, but not everyone can catch the action in person,” said Meta’s director of Metaverse entertainment content, Sarah Malkin.
“VR offers uniquely immersive events, letting fans get up close and personal for every takedown, submission, and knockout with UFC Fight Pass in Xtadium and Worlds.”
UFC chief content officer and executive producer Craig Borsari hinted at what’s to come from the UFC, saying, “We tested this technology successfully with a handful of MMA events last year, and now we’re going further.
“The schedule of live MMA events available in Xtadium through UFC Fight Pass is growing, and we’ll be helping to build out a dedicated UFC world in Meta Horizon Worlds that will offer the greatest fights in UFC history in a 4K 180-degree environment.
“We’re just scratching the surface of how we can use this technology to create greater fan engagement and grow this sport.”
Cage Warriors president Graham Boylan added, “Nothing parallels the experience of a live Cage Warriors show.
“Now, in association with Meta and the UFC, we’re bringing that experience directly into fans’ homes the world over.
“We’re excited to be at the forefront of the latest evolution in combat sports broadcasting, giving fans another way to get up-close and personal with the UFC stars of the future!”
The event, which takes place at the Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego, features an 11-fight card, headlined by a bantamweight bout between two former UFC veterans, as former UFC flyweight title challenger Wilson Reis takes on six-fight UFC bantamweight veteran Trevin Jones.