UFC receives heavy backlash for partnering with Bud Light after controversial Dylan Mulvaney campaign
Dylan Mulvaney: Bud Light suffered a huge backlash after partnering up with trans star
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UFC have sparked a backlash after announcing a new major sponsorship deal with Bud Light.
The brewer used to be the best-selling beer across America but, after partnering up with trans activist Dylan Mulvaney in April, have since lost that title.
UFC's deal wth Bud Light is reportedly worth over £87million-per-year.
CEO Dana White confirmed the news by saying: "Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light were UFC's original beer sponsors more than fifteen years ago.
We’re proud to announce that starting in 2024, we’ll once again be the official beer sponsor of @UFC pic.twitter.com/n9jcDyLhVv
— Bud Light (@budlight) October 24, 2023
"I'm proud to announce we are back in business together.
"There are many reasons why I chose to go with Anheuser-Busch and Bud Light, most importantly because I feel we are very aligned when it comes to our core values and what the UFC brand stands for.
"I'm looking forward to all of the incredible things we will do in the years ahead."
However, some fans of the sport have been left raging by the decision - with the beer company's popularity still in tatters.
"RIP UFC," were the words of a user named Julia.
"It will take years to fix your reputation. This won't help," said a second user on X.
A third raged: "Never forget. Never forgive."
"Oh well. No UFC for me. Modelo all the way," another fan weighed in with.
"You’re back? What do you mean by that? Are you saying you “left” because of the Dylan thing?" ranted a fifth fan.
"I have been a loyal 30 year fan since UFC1 but in 2024 I will no longer watch or purchase UFC events. The deal with Bud Light is a deal breaker for me," said a sixth.
Another follower of the sport vented: "UFC announces Bud Light as its official beer in partnership with Anheuser-Busch. #BoycottUFC Go Woke Go Broke."
And an eighth fan said: "How unfortunate I have to #BoycottUFC now. No more #ppv UFC and Dana White and have lost my money and viewership."
Modelo and Coors have surpassed Bud Light in the top-selling beer charts since their partnership with Mulvaney earlier in the year.
Sales have declined by roughly 30 per cent compared to the same period last year.
Back in June, Mulvaney addressed the controversy.
And the trans activist accused Bud Light for not supporting her for what she perceived to be a transphobic backlash.
“For a company to hire a trans person and then not publicly stand by them is worse, in my opinion, than not hiring a trans person at all," said Mulvaney.
The trans star added: “I patiently waited for things to get better.
“But surprise: they haven’t, really.
“For months now, I have been scared to leave my house.
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Bud Light was boycotted by many fans around the world after partnering up with Dylan Mulvaney
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"I have been ridiculed in public. I have been followed, and I have felt a loneliness that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“I’m not telling you this because I want your pity. I’m telling you this because if this is my experience from a very privileged perspective, know that it is much, much worse for other trans people.”