Alliance MMA acquires SuckerPunch Entertainment

Alliance MMA announced the purchase of fighter management company SuckerPunch Entertainment on Tuesday.

The publicly traded, New York City-based Alliance is positioning itself to become the leading feeder system of talent to major promotions. The acquisition of SuckerPunch is the latest in a series of aggressive moves, which has included the purchase of several regional promotions and a live-streaming service.

“We expect that SuckerPunch will prove to be an extraordinary addition to the Alliance MMA organization,” stated Alliance MMA president Robert Haydak. “Their broad experience in managing a number of the sport’s top fighters will bolster our ongoing effort to expand the growing family of Alliance athletes, and will fortify Alliance’s position as a prominent force in the MMA community.”

SuckerPunch, an established brand with a decade’s experience in the MMA space, is the home to about 100 fighters, including UFC strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk and UFC interim featherweight titleholder Max Holloway.

While potential conflict of interest questions have arisen based on the notion of a fight promotion owning fighter management contracts, SuckerPunch founder Brian Butler-Au doesn’t seem too concerned.

“We are excited over the prospect of SuckerPunch adding immediate value to Alliance MMA,” Butler-Au stated. “We expect that our extensive connections throughout the MMA world will provide strong bridges and trusted relationships that should integrate seamlessly into Alliance MMA.”