In a significant crossover between football and combat sports, global icon Cristiano Ronaldo has announced a major investment into the mixed martial arts promotion WOW FC.
The Portuguese football legend revealed on Thursday that he has become a shareholder in the Madrid-based promotion, joining forces with reigning UFC champion Ilia Topuria to spearhead the organisation's growth.
From Pitch to Octagon: A Surprising Partnership
Ronaldo, 40, is no stranger to Madrid, having spent the peak years of his career with Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, where he became the club's all-time top scorer with 450 goals. The current Al-Nassr striker has previously expressed interest in MMA, but this move represents his most substantial involvement in the sport to date.
Interestingly, this business partnership follows a public spat between the two athletes in 2024. Ronaldo had accused Topuria of talking "too much," to which the Spanish-Georgian fighter retorted: "I didn't expect someone like you to be unable to distinguish between confidence and arrogance."
Their relationship has evidently transformed from confrontation to collaboration at WOW FC, which stands for Way of Warrior Fighting Championship.
Shared Vision for Martial Arts Excellence
In an official press release, Ronaldo explained his motivation for the investment, stating: "MMA represents values I truly believe in: discipline, respect, resilience, and the constant pursuit of excellence."
"WOW FC is building something unique and powerful," the football star continued, "and I'm proud to join this project to help elevate the sport and inspire the next generation."
Topuria echoed this sentiment, emphasizing Ronaldo's global influence: "Having Cristiano Ronaldo join WOW FC is a powerful moment for the sport. He represents the highest standards of professionalism, hard work, and global excellence. Together, we will push MMA to new heights and inspire athletes and fans around the world to believe that anything is possible."
Career Updates for Both Champions
The announcement comes during significant career developments for both athletes. Topuria, 28, recently became a two-weight UFC champion after knocking out former champion Charles Oliveira in the first round in June to claim the vacant lightweight title.
This achievement came after the unbeaten "Matador" vacated his featherweight title in February before moving up in weight class. His first defence of the new belt remains undetermined.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo received positive news regarding his international career this week. FIFA suspended the final two games of a three-match ban stemming from a red card he received against Ireland this month, when he swung his elbow at defender Dara O'Shea off the ball during a 2-0 defeat.
This decision means Ronaldo will be available to start for Portugal at next summer's World Cup, maintaining his remarkable longevity at the highest level of football while expanding his business portfolio into combat sports.
