As I speculated a week again, UFC Fight Island is becoming a reality. The UFC filed a series of trademarks with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for “Fight Island” and “UFC Fight Island.”
The mark, Fight Island, was previously abandoned which opened up the path for the promotion to file for it. In addition, it filed for the mark, UFC Fight Island, which might be an intended name for the events on the island as well. The mark applications were filed under a 1(b) status which means that they are not actively being used but will be used at some point in the future. The mark applicant has 6 months to show the USPTO it is using the mark. It can always ask for an extension.
Fight Island TM available for #UFC to pick up #trademarks pic.twitter.com/Qnwmo5pOSX
— Jason Cruz (@dilletaunt) April 10, 2020
With the edicts from states to shut down most businesses and events, the UFC has aggressively looked to other ways it can run fights during this down time. It had secured a venue at Tachi Palace in Lemoore, California for Saturday, April 18th. However, Disney requested that the UFC stand down from running the event due to health and safety concerns.
Payout Perspective:
You have to conclude that this Fight Island is a last-minute plan as otherwise the UFC would not have waited this long to file for the marks. Even with a late May/early June start as conveyed to athletes at the UFC fighter teleconference today, logistics are still an issue. The marks will likely go through without a hitch since there did not appear to be any clear confusion issues with similar marks.
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