UFC celebrates Black History month: All you need to know about the month-long celebrations

The UFC has announced that it will celebrate Black History Month, which is honored annually in the month of February throughout the United States. The promotion announced its intentions in a press release, sharing its plans to honor African-American and Black fighters from the past and present.

The press release stated, in part:

"UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, today announced the launch of its annual celebration of Black History Month in which UFC will commemorate the achievements made by African American and Black UFC athletes. Throughout the month of February, UFC will highlight the personal stories of African American and Black UFC athletes, past and present, while celebrating their significance in promoting and growing UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts."

The release added:

"UFC will also commemorate Black History Month across its digital and social platforms with exclusive content such as an interactive timeline, features, and vignettes published weekly to UFC.com/black-history. UFC will also include special content during its broadcasts via watermark inclusion, athlete features, and vignettes throughout the month."

Two African-American fighters will headline cards this month as No.7-ranked heavyweight Derrick Lewis competes in the main event of UFC Fight Night 218, the first card of the month, while No.9-ranked light heavyweight Ryan Spann competes in the main event of UFC Fight Night 220, the final card of the month. Furthermore, African-American fighters will also compete at UFC 284 and UFC Fight Night 219, the other two cards of the month.

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UFC will produce special content to celebrate Black History Month

In addition to celebrating Black and African-American fighters from the past and present, the UFC will produce special content to honor those athletes, according to the promotion's press release, which stated:

"In addition, UFC will produce special content as part of ESPN’s Black History Month-themed programming, by looking at some of 2022’s most exciting fights to feature African American and Black athletes competing on the roster. UFC Unleashed: Black History Month will debut on Sunday, February 5 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2."

UFC Fight Pass, the promotion's streaming service, will also partake in honoring African-American fighters as they celebrate a different fighter each day of the month as part of the 'Fighter of the Day' series. Recently crowned light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill was the first fighter to be named the 'Fighter of the Day'. All of his performances will be available on UFC Fight Pass.