Buckner seemingly has the MMA world by the tail and the future looks very bright for both himself and UNF.
Breaking into the MMA industry as an unknown young promoter and matchmaker had its fair share of challenges for Ryan Buckner. He had to work hard to gain trust and overcome perceptions around his age. Yet with an unrivalled work ethic and clear track record of success with UNF, Buckner has more than validated himself as a forward-thinking leader capable of pushing MMA into its next era.
Staying true to Buckner’s initial vision, UNF has already developed a reputation for offering unmatched value and experience. The promotion spares no expense at its events, with lavish production value and white-glove treatment of athletes. UNF runs regular sold-out shows featuring many top prospects and UFC veterans across prestigious California venues.
“We have a duty to give our fighters the best possible platform and our fans a memorable experience that exceeds their expectations,” Buckner explained. “If we take care of the fighters, they’ll take care of the fans, and the fans will support UNF.”
UNF’s rapid rise is largely attributed to its unique athlete-focused culture, a core facet of Buckner’s philosophy for the promotion. It has invested heavily in its roster, signing numerous fighters to multi-bout contracts. The promotion has also launched initiatives providing extra support and exposure opportunities for athletes.
Several fighters have already graduated from UNF to the UFC, establishing the promotion as a legitimate gateway to the highest levels of MMA.“ We want to develop household names and world champions,” said Buckner. “If our fighters succeed, we succeed.”
According to Buckner the goal is getting as many eyes on our talent as possible and showing what incredible humans they are beyond being great fighters. UNF takes pride in building stars internally by scouting top regional talent rather than relying on established names. Many fighters get their first big break on UNF shows.
Once signed, UNF meticulously works with each fighter closely on customized career development – nurturing their weaknesses and amplifying their strengths. While UNF helps workshop fighting skills, they also open doors for athletes to learn the other equally crucial elements separating average fighters from superstars – branding, promotion, networking, business development and more.
“We surround our athletes with the marketing, branding and business know-how allowing them not just to win fights but become a brand,” Buckner noted. The results speak volumes, with UNF talent constantly better positioned to capture opportunities compared to fighters elsewhere with only fighting abilities.
