World’s first football billionaire Cristiano Ronaldo on Thursday joined UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria on the board of Spanish mixed martial arts MMA promotion WOW FC (Way of Warrior FC) as a major stakeholder to help expand the sport globally.
Football icon and one of the world’s most followed celebrities on Instagram took to social media platform X to announce his decision to become a shareholder and partner in the Spanish mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion.
What did Ronaldo say?
“I’m excited to share some big news: I will become a shareholder of @wowfcmma! WOW FC is building something unique and powerful, and I’m proud to join this project to help elevate the sport and inspire the next generation.”
Expanding on why he chose to become a partner at WOW FC promotion, Ronaldo said that he and the organisation share some common core principles and beliefs. “We share values I truly believe in – discipline, respect, resilience, and the constant pursuit of excellence,” he wrote on X.
WOW FC (Way of Warrior FC) is a rapidly growing Spanish MMA promotion based in Madrid. It aims to establish MMA as a mainstream cultural force, and has seen a significant surge in attendance and global broadcast reach in the past year.
The promotion has said that Ronaldo’s role will be ‘organic and active’ to help practitioners and audiences ‘feel empowered to achieve more and become better.’
What did Spanish MMA star Topuria say?
Celebrating the announcement, Spanish MMA star Topuria said that having Cristiano Ronaldo join WOW FC is a powerful moment for the sport that has been recently surging as a global phenomenon.
“Having Cristiano Ronaldo join WOW FC is a powerful moment for the sport. He represents the highest standards of professionalism, hard work, and global excellence.Together, we will push MMA to new heights and inspire athletes and fans around the world to believe that anything is possible,” he concluded.
The Portugal captain and Al Nassr FC star has been very open about his retirement from football over the last year, as his legendary, 23-year career comes to an end. Just last month, Ronaldo went on record at the Piers Morgan Uncensored this month show that he will hang up his boots soon once and for all.
In October last year, the former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Juventus forward became the first football billionaire when he signed a new contract with his current club Al Nassr.
Ronaldo’s business portfolio
This new announcement marks a significant addition to Ronaldo’s substantial business portfolio. Alongside running hotels and gyms back home in Portugal, the affluent football player also manages a very popular youtube channel.
He is the spearhead of the CR7 lifestyle brand, which includes eyewear, footwear, garments and fragrances. Being the most followed celebrity on Instagram, the athlete also frequently indulges in brand promotions and paid brand partnerships with brands such as Nike and Louis Vuitton.
