UFC LAUNCHES FIRST ULTIMATE GYM UPGRADE PROJECT FOR SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS IN BRAZIL

Martial arts projects will compete for BRL 25,000 in official UFC equipment. Fans will decide the winner.

Aug. 11, 2026

UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, today announced the launch of its first UFC Ultimate Gym Upgrade Project. The contest will award a Brazilian social institution focused on martial arts instruction with BRL 25,000 in official UFC sports equipment. Projects from across the country are eligible to participate, and the winner will be determined by popular vote. Each equipment donation will be made courtesy of the UFC Foundation.

“Social projects are fundamental to the development and discovery of talent in martial arts. Many athletes who are now standout names in the UFC, such as current BMF champion Charles Oliveira, began their fighting journeys in local institutions,” said Rodrigo Nogueira, UFC Hall of Famer and Brazil Ambassador. “UFC Ultimate Gym Upgrade is an incentive for these projects to keep developing and growing, while also giving visibility to the work they have already been doing throughout Brazil.”

Registration for UFC Ultimate Gym Upgrade is open until August 26 at ultimategymupgrade.com. To participate, institutions must be dedicated to martial arts instruction and meet the criteria listed on the contest website. During registration, institutions must include a summary of the project, as well as photos and videos.

After registrations close, the first stage of popular voting will begin. Fans will have from August 28 to September 20 to choose which institutions should advance to the contest finale. The three finalists will receive a visit from UFC Hall of Famer Rodrigo Nogueira. On October 30, the final voting to choose the winner of UFC Ultimate Gym Upgrade will begin. Voting will once again be online. On November 21, the contest winner will be revealed on UFC’s website and social media channels.

Below are the phases of UFC Ultimate Gym Upgrade:

Registration: July 30 to August 26
Selection of the three finalists: 1st popular vote – August 28 to September 20
Announcement of the three finalists: September 29
Popular vote to determine the winner: October 30 to November 20
Announcement of the UFC Ultimate Gym Upgrade winner: November 21

UFC’s corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, strategically collaborates with partners, sponsors, and athletes to develop additional charitable programs and funding sources to help bolster and inspire the local community.

For more information, please visit UFCFOUNDATION.