It's official: UFC Gym has acquired LA Boxing.
The announcement came this morning from UFC Gym, the fitness and mixed martial arts (MMA) concept operated as a partnership between the Ultimate Fighting Championship, owned by Zuffa LLC, Las Vegas, and New Evolution Ventures (NeV), Lafayette, CA. The deal closed on Dec. 31.
"The UFC Gym experience is second-to-none," UFC President Dana White said in a statement. "Our gyms have incredible energy, and through innovative programs, members see amazing results. With this acquisition, we continue to grow our footprint as leaders in the global fitness industry."
UFC Gym currently has five full-service facilities, four in California and one in Hawaii, which average 35,000 square feet. The company also has begun selling memberships for locations in Long Island, NY, and Sydney, Australia, which will open in April.
LA Boxing, Santa Ana, CA, currently has 81 locations. UFC Gym says it will begin to transform the LA Boxing clubs, which average 5,000 square feet, to the UFC Gym format.
"The goal of UFC Gym when we launched it three years ago was to create a unique MMA-styled fitness experience for men, women and children that went far beyond the traditional workout," NeV Chairman Mark Mastrov, who last week expressed interest in buying the NBA's Sacramento Kings, said in a statement. "We were drawn to LA Boxing based upon the similarities in our brand DNA. We are thrilled to partner with the existing LA Boxing team and their franchisees in expanding our shared vision worldwide."
UFC Gym also will begin to franchise the new model of boutique clubs both in the United States and internationally. Anthony Geisler, president of UFC Gym Franchise, said franchise growth will benefit current LA Boxing franchises, their staff, trainers and members.
"Our new partnership will build upon LA Boxing's growth over the past 10 years in boxing, kickboxing and MMA," Geisler said in a statement.
The first location under the new ownership will open in Chicago's River North neighborhood, with a media-only event scheduled for Jan. 23. UFC athletes taking part in the UFC on FOX broadcast that will air on Jan. 26 from Chicago's United Center will be on hand for the event.