[bears9]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ultimate Fighting Championship has inked a three-year deal with Anheuser Busch, arguably the biggest sports marketer of them all, that will go into effect at UFC 84 in May.

The deal, which will focus solely on the Bud Light brand, was announced today at a pre-UFC 82 press conference at Nationwide Arena — the same Columbus, Ohio venue that hosts Saturday’s pay-per-view event.

Early this morning, the UFC’s official website stated that a “special announcement” would be made at today’s press gathering. MMAjunkie.com (UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com) first reported that it would likely be the unveiling of a new blue-chip sponsor.

And as far as blue-chip sponsors go, they don’t get much bigger than Anheuser-Busch. The St. Louis-based brewer is responsible for 48.5 percent of all beer sales domestically. The company, founded in 1852, brews more than 40 different beers and malt liquors.

However, the deal with the UFC will focus solely on the Bud Light brand. In addition to becoming the exclusive beer sponsor for the UFC, the brand will be showcased with the UFC’s sister organization, World Extreme Cagefighting, as well as future seasons of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality series on Spike TV. The WEC deal begins June 1.

Bud Light Partners with UFC for Three-Year Sponsorship -- MMAjunkie.com