As part of fight week for UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez, UFC collaborated with Renzo Gracie Houston to host a youth jiu-jitsu training seminar. The event featured teachings from UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and former strawweight champion Rose Namajunas. Over 50 local youth participated in the session held on February 19 at the academy in Houston.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) recently partnered with Renzo Gracie Houston to organize a youth jiu-jitsu training seminar during the lead-up to UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez, which occurred on February 21 at Toyota Center in Houston. The seminar took place on February 19 and involved more than 50 local youth practitioners learning fundamental jiu-jitsu techniques from prominent UFC figures.
UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van and former UFC strawweight champion Rose Namajunas led the session. Van emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, “It was great to spend the day at Renzo Gracie Houston and teach the next generation of young jiu-jitsu practitioners. Houston is my home and it’s very important to give back to the local youth while showing them that we can be positive role models.”
Namajunas echoed this sentiment, noting, “This event was super cool. It always great when we can spend time and teach kids the fundamentals. We all started at this point, and these kids are great.” Following the class, both athletes interacted with the participants by taking photos, signing autographs, and distributing UFC hats, merchandise, and water from brand partner Drip Water.
The Renzo Gracie Houston academy focuses on helping youth develop potential through jiu-jitsu. This initiative aligns with UFC's corporate social responsibility program, #UFCInTheCommunity, which collaborates with partners and athletes to support local communities.
Additionally, on the day of the fight, February 21, UFC teamed up with the Texas Division of Motor Vehicles and TX MyPlates to introduce pre-orders for a UFC-branded specialty license plate. The design incorporates UFC's red logo and the phrase “UFC Lives Here” against a bold background. Steve Farrar, CEO and President of My Plates, commented, “We’re thrilled to partner with UFC to bring this iconic brand to Texas roads.” Pre-orders were available at the venue for $50 per year, with discounts up to $55, and a portion of proceeds benefits the UFC Foundation.
