EFC, Samsung team up to film 360 degree MMA fights

Samsung and local mixed martial arts (MMA) organisation EFC have announced a technological partnership that will also see Gear 360 cameras being used to film events.

“Samsung has signed a partnership with EFC as the official mobile phone, virtual reality and wearable technology partner of the EFC South Africa,” the South Korean tech brand confirmed in a press statement.

“We are really excited about this partnership with Samsung, a global leader and brand,” said EFC president Cairo Howarth in the release. “The handsets, VR technology and Gear Fit devices are truly amazing, we have been blown away by the experience, quality and functionality and it gives fans a previously inaccessible perspective. It is literally as if you are in the ring yourself.”

You can soon catch head kicks, flying armbars and jumping knees in virtual reality, thanks to EFC and Samsung

The partnership kicked off at EFC’s Cape Town event on 8 April and runs until the end of the year.

Although a date hasn’t been given, Samsung and EFC have also confirmed that the fights will “soon” be filmed via Gear 360 cameras. The two have also uploaded a teaser clip to YouTube, promising behind-the-scenes clips, walkout/post-fight footage and actual fights as well.

Still, it wouldn’t be the first time that innovative camera tech gets used in MMA either, with defunct promotion PRIDE frequently making use of referee-mounted cameras during bouts, as seen below.

Additionally, MMA juggernaut UFC has been offering 4K streaming as an option since late last year, although it’s exclusive to 2016 and 2017 Sony TVs for now. Users will also need an internet connection capable of hitting at least 20Mbps.

We’ve contacted Samsung’s local representatives for more details on the arrangement.