Last weekend, the UFC held an “Athlete Retreat” for its fighters under contract in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event featured conferences, guest speakers—and plenty of mayhem. Lost amid tales of drunken sponsors, brawls, and fighters leaving both of their own volition and involuntarily, was the unveiling of the new UFC Performance Institute and the announcement that the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) will serve as the promotion’s official hospital.
In an announcement on the UFC website, Chief Operating Officer Ike Lawrence Epstein commented,
“We are excited to partner with a world-class medical provider of HSS’ caliber. The health and safety of UFC athletes is our top priority, and this partnership further extends the best-in-class services available to the athletes both in and out of the Octagon.”
The Hospital for Special Surgery is a New York City based hospital with a 154-year history known for its high rankings in both orthopedics and rheumatology. HSS was also the first designated National Medical Center of the United States Olympic Committee’s National Medical Network and serves as a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence. Chief of the Sports Medicine Service at HSS, Bryan Kelly, M.D. will be the UFC’s Head Consulting Orthopedic Surgeon.
“HSS’ purpose is to help people get back to what they need and love to do, better than any other place in the world,” said Louis A. Shapiro, HSS President and Chief Executive. “We are privileged to now support UFC as we do other high performing athletic organizations including the Brooklyn Nets, New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Mets, New York Red Bulls, New York Road Runners and many others.”
HSS will receive branding on the Octagon at select events, digital and social advertising and participation in UFC-based corporate social responsibility programs.
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