Smith+Nephew revealed a multi-year extension of its landmark, global marketing partnership with premier mixed martial arts organization UFC. The partnership was first forged last year.

The top 10 orthopedic device maker will continue as UFC’s Preferred Sports Medicine Techology Partner, a title it obtained as UFC’s inaugural partner in the category. Smith+Nephew will continue to activate its brand around some of the UFC’s largest events.

Robby Miller, VP of U.S. global partnerships at TKO, said this partnership’s continued growth is an optimistic development for combat sports.

“Our initial collaboration has led to meaningful conversations with the combat sports community about advancements in health and safety using Smith+Nephew technology,” Miller told the press. “We’re confident that together we’ll continue to play a part in making this sport safer for athletes and fans.”

One highlight of the first agreement was a first-of-its-kind medical education course hosted by the duo covering injury treatment in combat sports athletes. The Smith+Nephew UFC Combat Sports Medicine Course was chaired by Dr. Michael Banffy from the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles and touted a lineup of world-renowned medical experts that discussed current trends and techniques to treat combat sports injuries. The course will be offered again in 2026.

Special guest presenters included UFC hall of famer and former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell, and former UFC featherweight champion and current UFC BMF champion Max “Blessed” Holloway.

“We are thrilled to continue our collaboration with UFC as their Preferred Sports Medicine Technology Partner focused on injury prevention, repair and recovery,” said Scott Schaffner, president of Global Sports Medicine for Smith+Nephew. “The global reach of UFC continues to provide us with an unmatched platform to highlight our advanced portfolio of Sports Medicine technology solutions designed to help treat anyone who suffers from an activity-related injury and get back to doing what they love.”