BlueGrace Logistics announced fighter sponsorships for three UFC athletes across consecutive events in late June and early July 2011. The logistics company backed John “Doomsday” Howard, Chris “The Crippler” Leben, and Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit—well-known names in mixed martial arts (MMA).

In short, BlueGrace joined the ranks of UFC sponsors seeking authentic visibility with the sport’s fan base by supporting athletes on the card for Fight Night in Pittsburgh and UFC 132 in Las Vegas.

Who did BlueGrace sponsor—and when?

Howard fought June 26, 2011, in Pittsburgh; Leben and Condit competed at UFC 132 on July 2, 2011, in Las Vegas.

• John “Doomsday” Howard vs. Matt Brown — June 26, 2011, at the Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh, PA (a Sunday Fight Night event).
• Chris “The Crippler” Leben vs. Wanderlei Silva — July 2, 2011, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, NV (a featured bout on UFC 132).
• Carlos “Natural Born Killer” Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim — also on the UFC 132 card.

BlueGrace highlighted shared values—integrity, determination, dependability, and respect for competition—as the reason to back these MMA athletes. Company leadership framed the move as recognition of the grit and preparation it takes to compete at the highest level of a combat sport.

Why do brands sponsor UFC fighters?

To reach a highly engaged audience and align with athletes whose work ethic reflects brand values.

Sponsoring a fighter gives a company:

1. Event visibility. Bout-week press, walkouts, and broadcast moments place a logo in front of fans during UFC events, including pay-per-view cards like UFC 132.
2. Athlete alignment. Fighters personify traits many companies champion—discipline, resilience, and performance under pressure.
3. Content and social media. Sponsorships often extend to fighter shout-outs and training-camp content on social media, creating ongoing, authentic impressions.
4. Longevity. Moments from major cards live on in UFC history highlight reels, interviews, and fan discussions—delivering residual brand exposure.

At the time, UFC President Dana White frequently emphasized the sport’s growth and fan passion. For brands, that enthusiasm helped make fighter deals a practical entry point into the UFC’s branded ecosystem.

After the Walkout: What the Sponsorship Proved.

BlueGrace’s 2011 sponsorships show how a growing logistics brand aligned itself with the grit and discipline of UFC athletes. By backing John Howard at Pittsburgh’s Fight Night and Chris Leben and Carlos Condit at UFC 132 in Las Vegas, the company gained authentic visibility with engaged MMA fans while reinforcing values—integrity, determination, and dependability—that mirror elite performance in a combat sport. Though this is an archived moment in UFC history, it highlights why companies pursue UFC sponsors strategies: credible reach, memorable event exposure, and athlete-driven storytelling that lives on across broadcasts and social media.