UFC lends a hand at charities as part of Community Day

Las Vegas – UFC employees and star athletes brought their fighting spirit to five local Las Vegas charities Wednesday, July 6, as the organization held its Community Day. The event was part of the 5th annual UFC International Fight Week, the world’s largest celebration of combat sports, which brings tens of thousands of visitors each year to the Fight Capital of the World.
Hall of Fame athletes Forrest Griffin and Matt Hughes joined UFC analyst Dan Hardy in kicking off the day’s activities at Three Square Food Bank, where athletes led teams in a truck pull competition before helping sort and prep meals. UFC athletes and staff continued the day by visiting Shade Tree Las Vegas, Core Academy, Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada, and Boys Town of Nevada.
Wednesday’s Community Day is part of UFC’s new corporate social responsibility initiative, We Are All Fighters, which celebrates the fighting spirit in all of us. The initiative acknowledges that everyone fights every day to overcome challenges large and small, and is designed to make a meaningful impact in communities where UFC events are held – including the organization’s hometown of Las Vegas.
“The local community in Las Vegas has always been unbelievably supportive of UFC, so it’s only natural that we would want to get involved and give back,” UFC Hall of Famer and former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin said. “This is especially close to my heart, as I’ve been living here for over a decade now and UFC owners, Frank, Lorenzo and Dana, are also locals. These are great charities that fall perfectly in line with our We Are All Fighters initiative, and our participation this week will help raise awareness so other locals can find ways to give back too.”
Three Square Food Bank Chief Development Officer Michelle Beck was overjoyed with the experience: “Three Square is absolutely thrilled to be a part of UFC’s International Fight Week. It is a privilege to be able to launch the week with so many other great local charities. We have been longtime supporters of UFC, and the Fertitta’s have done phenomenal things for Three Square in this community.”
The Shade Tree Executive Director Marlene Richter said: "To have these champion athletes and amazing staff come to spend time with us today means the world to our organization. We’re so honored to have been chosen as one of the International Fight Week charities, and this will surely be a day everyone will remember forever."
Core Academy and its ‘scholars’ joined UFC athletes and volunteers at the Salvation Army, where they served the local homeless population. “Core Academy is honored to be a part of International Fight Week and the We Are All Fighters initiative,” Core Academy Chief Inspiration Officer Lindsay Harper said. “It was an incredibly uplifting experience to work alongside everyone that helped today.”
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada Marketing Manager Gabriel Suarez said: “It means a lot for UFC to make an impact locally in their community and bring out top-tier athletes to be great influences to these kids and show them what it means to be successful and what it means to give back.”
UFC fans are invited to join the fight by volunteering their time or making a donation to one of the organizations involved in this year’s Community Day. For more information about how fans can join the fight, please visit the charity’s websites.

The 5th annual UFC International Fight Week™ takes place from Tuesday, July 5 through Sunday, July 10 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The world’s largest celebration of combat sports, UFC International Fight Week will feature numerous fan activations throughout the week, including the UFC Fan Expo®, which takes place from Friday, July 8 through Sunday, July 10 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The landmark week is highlighted by three events in three nights, culminating in the historic UFC 200: Tate vs Nunes, on Saturday, July 9 at T-Mobile Arena.