Samsung has announced that VR Live Pass on Gear VR will launch this week and will include partnerships with the UFC and X Games that will enable the company to stream select events. That first live stream event in 360-degree virtual reality in UFC history will feature featherweight champion José Aldo squaring off against interim featherweight champion Max Holloway on Saturday in Rio de Janeiro.
Live streams of the UFC 212 main card, including the championship main event, are available in countries where Samsung VR is available, but not in the U.S. and New Zealand. Gear VR users in the U.S. will have access to the UFC FIGHT PASS early prelims.
“We’ve always felt that the potential of combining UFC events with virtual reality would give our fans the ultimate enhanced experience,” UFC Chief Operating Officer Ike Lawrence Epstein said in a statement. “We’re excited to partner with Samsung on this game-changing initiative to further revolutionize how fight fans consume our content and live events around the world.”
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Gear VR users will also be able to experience the X Games that take place July 13-16 in Minneapolis.
“The X Games is the premier action sports event that continually provides a platform for athletic progression,” Tim Reed, Vice President, ESPN X Games, said in a statement. “From never been done tricks to awe-inspiring competition, Samsung’s Gear VR technology is perfect to showcase dynamic action sports to viewers across the world.”