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Topics: WWE, The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, UFC
Rory O'Callaghan
Topics: WWE, The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, UFC
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has signed a “historic” multi-year partnership with the UFC.
The WWE superstar, 49, has penned a deal for his athletic label Project Rock to be the official footwear provider for the MMA promotion.
The brand, which is part owned by Under Armour, will provide footwear for male and female fighters in the UFC, as well as their teams.
Johnson announced the partnership on Twitter ahead of UFC 270 this weekend.
He wrote: “HISTORIC. I’m honored & proud, my @ProjectRock is the OFFICIAL GLOBAL FOOTWEAR PARTNER of the @UFC
“Starting this weekend at #UFC270 NGANNOU vs GANE, all athletes & teams will rep @ProjectRock footwear.
“Engineered for the HARDEST WORKERS IN THE ROOM who WALK THE WALK.”
In an official statement announcing the deal, Johnson expressed his admiration for the UFC’s fighters.
“UFC athletes are amongst the greatest, toughest, focused, most disciplined, and hardest training athletes on the planet,” he said.
“Every walk to the iconic Octagon by a UFC fighter is fuelled with passion, mana, and the deep desire to establish their dominance and legacy.
"I am proud, grateful and humbled that my innovative Project Rock training shoe is now the official global footwear partner of UFC.”
Reebok previously provided footwear for the UFC’s fight-week promotional events, workouts, weigh-ins and cage walks.
Project Rock took over those duties this weekend for UFC 270, which saw Francis Ngannou successfully defend his heavyweight title with victory over Ciryl Gane.
Johnson has been a long-time fan of the UFC, previously appearing at UFC 116 and UFC 244, and recently revealed that he had once considered training for a new career in MMA before abandoning the idea.
In a tweet, he wrote: “Fun for journalist to dream up the scenarios if I had competed in @ufc (there was a point in 1997 where I considered going to Japan to train to begin an MMA career when my wrestling career was failing miserably).
“Realised quick I actually hate being punched in the kisser.”
Speaking to ABC ahead of UFC 270, Johnson added: “I would have got my face smashed in, and I like my jaw where it’s at!”