3 min read
The WePlay Ultimate Fighting League is a new phenomenon at the intersection of esports and traditional sports.
On the day of the WePlay Ultimate Fighting League (WUFL) Season 1 finals, Managing Partners of WePlay Esports Yura Lazebnikov and Oleg Krot, world cruiserweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, and professional boxer, world champion in three weight categories, two-time Olympic champion Vasyl Lomachenko signed an agreement to create a company that will hold WUFL tournaments. Each of the equal partners made a commitment to do everything in their power to help the league and the company succeed.
Legendary athletes make esports history. Video: WePlay Holding
The WePlay Ultimate Fighting League is a new phenomenon at the intersection of esports and traditional sports. Its goal is to develop and scale up fighting game projects, and those going beyond esports, too. The new company will develop products and operate worldwide. To achieve this goal, WUFL will use the advantages and resources of the WePlay Esports media holding company and the assets of its partners.
Yura Lazebnikov, managing partner of WePlay Esports. Photo: WePlay Holding
“The WePlay Ultimate Fighting League has a great capacity to create new and original products at the intersection of esports and sports. Partner companies’ insights and physical venues such as the WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv will help WUFL draw in fighting game fans from across the world and scale up the global fighting game community,” says Yura Lazebnikov, managing partner of WePlay Esports.
Oleg Krot, managing partner of WePlay Esports. Photo: WePlay Holding
“We signed the contract on a very special day — the day of the WePlay Ultimate Fighting League Season 1 finals. This is the newly minted company's first project — a tournament where 48 players from all over the world have fought for their share of the $150,000 prize pool in front of a huge online audience. And it will only get better — there will be more exciting competitions for players, more incredible broadcasts for fans, and more opportunities for partners,” says Oleg Krot, managing partner of WePlay Esports.
Vasyl Lomachenko, professional boxer, a former world champion in three weight classes, two-time Olympic champion. Photo: WePlay Holding
“In terms of entertainment value and the amount of sheer passion, esports can easily compare with sports. At the same time, esports is accessible to almost everyone and knows no boundaries — you can train and compete internationally without leaving your home. And I am happy that together with WePlay Esports, we are creating opportunities for the advent of new world champions — WUFL champions,” says Vasyl Lomachenko, professional boxer, a former world champion in three weight classes, two-time Olympic champion.
Oleksandr Usyk, world cruiserweight boxing champion. Photo: WePlay Holding
”Yesterday, we showed that the line between esports and sports is just a matter of convention. The Ultimate Boxing Night, held at the WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv, has shown that sports and esports have a great future together. And this future starts with the WUFL,” says Oleksandr Usyk, world cruiserweight boxing champion.
You can find photos from the signing ceremony here.
WUFL Season 1 featured competitions in Mortal Kombat 11 (March 25–28), SOULCALIBUR VI (April 01–04), and Tekken 7 (April 08–11). The prize pool of $150,000 was divided equally between all three competitions. The event took place at the WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv — the first esports arena built by WePlay Esports. The event was filmed at the WePlay Esports Arena Kyiv, WePlay Esports’ first esports arena.
Contact information for media outlets: press@weplayholding.com
Source: WePlay Holding Press Office