The Portuguese soccer great shared the news via a press release on Thursday, as he joins UFC champion Ilia Topuria in headlining the Madrid-based promotion.
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Ronaldo, 40, spent a significant part of his playing career in the Spanish capital, representing Real Madrid from 2009 to 2018, and becoming the club’s all-time leading scorer with 450 goals.
The Portugal captain, who now plays for Saudi team Al-Nassr, has expressed interest in mixed martial arts (MMA) before, and even had a brief feud with Topuria in 2024.
Ronaldo accused the Spanish-Georgian of talking “too much”, and Topuria responded: “I didn’t expect someone like you to be incapable of distinguishing between confidence and arrogance.”
Now, however, the pair are business partners with WOW FC, which stands for Way of Warrior Fighting Championship.
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“MMA represents values that I truly believe in: discipline, respect, resilience and the constant pursuit of excellence,” Ronaldo said in a press release.
“WOW FC is building something unique and powerful, and I am proud to join this project to help elevate the sport and inspire the next generation.”
Fellow shareholder Topuria added: “Having Cristiano Ronaldo join WOW FC is a powerful moment for the sport. He represents the highest standards of professionalism, hard work and global excellence.
“Together, we will take MMA to new heights and inspire athletes and fans around the world to believe that anything is possible.”
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At the time of Ronaldo’s criticism of Topuria, the latter held the UFC featherweight title. However, the undefeated “Matador” vacated that belt in February, before moving up to lightweight in June.
Ilia Topuria knocked out Charles Oliveira this year to become two-weight UFC champion (Getty Images)
There, Topuria, 28, knocked out former champion Charles Oliveira in the first round to take the vacant title. However, Topuria’s first defense of his new belt is up in the air.
Meanwhile, this week the football federation FIFA suspended the final two matches of a three-match suspension for Ronaldo, who will therefore be eligible to start for Portugal at the World Cup next summer.
Ronaldo’s ban stems from a red card he received against Ireland this month after he elbowed defender Dara O’Shea during a 2-0 defeat.