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The Final Preventing Championship (UFC) has renewed its partnership with Nicholas “Nickmercs” Kolcheff to host the second annual MFAM Gauntlet at UFC X. This time, he’ll be dealing with Name of Obligation esports legend Seth “Scump” Abner.
This creator-led competitors will culminate in a five-vs-five match with groups captained by Kolcheff and Abner. They are going to be joined by JoeWo, Alexia Raye, Tommey, ZooMaa and the Baka Bros (DiazBiffle, Repullze and LuckyChamu).
The ultimate spot is up for grabs. One UFC X attendee will earn their approach into the motion on July 7 by competing in opposition to content material creators in quite a lot of video games. The subsequent day, the winner will compete stay on stage in entrance of hundreds for his or her reduce of the $100,000 prize pool. Win or lose, the fan will get VIP tickets to UFC 290. Followers that may’t attend in-person will be capable of watch the MFAM Gauntlet stay on Twitch.
Particulars on the format for each the fan qualifier and the ultimate competitors haven’t been introduced. The foundations can be a shock “to encourage honest competitors.”
The MFAM Gauntlet can be Kolcheff’s first in-person look since Activision Blizzard eliminated his Nickmercs operator bundle from Name of Obligation earlier this month. Critics seen his feedback on a brawl that befell outdoors of a Glendale, California, college board assembly debating how gender and sexuality must be coated within the district as anti-LGBTQ+, particularly throughout Pleasure Month.
Kolcheff made a second assertion clarifying his emotions saying “Ain’t no hate on this coronary heart.”
Regardless of this controversy, different creators have stood by him. Most notably, TimtheTatman requested that Activision Blizzard take away his personal operator bundle from Name of Obligation, which the writer honored.
TimtheTatman and Nickmercs are long-time associates and have collaborated continuously. The 2 confronted one another in final 12 months’s UFC MFAM Gauntlet, which averaged about 40,000 viewers and peaked at 122,000. Whereas Nickmercs and Scump are pleasant, they haven’t collaborated at this scale earlier than.
The UFC itself isn’t any stranger to controversy and is much less delicate in the direction of model security than most companions.
Moreover, Kolcheff’s followers, the MFAM, have rallied behind him since he returned to streaming. Nickmercs regained about 13,000 subscriptions following a 10-day break. He ended his final stream with over 50,000 energetic subscribers — which interprets to a internet acquire of about 7,000 Twitch subscribers because the controversy started.
In line with Rainmaker.gg knowledge, Nickmercs’ common viewers for his most up-to-date three streams is 75% better than his common from January 1 to June 8. Previous to this, he was Name of Obligation: Warzone’s most watched streamer, however the class’s viewership as an entire has not modified considerably with out him.
A spokesperson confirmed that Nickmercs clarified the intent behind his assertion with each the UFC and Scump and reiterated that it was not motivated by hate.
Bridging the hole between avid gamers and sports activities followers
This partnership is one more instance of “conventional” sports activities leagues reaching out to avid gamers and constructing bridges between these fandoms. Primarily based on Nickmercs’ earlier offers with the UFC, the NFL and Below Armour, he has carved out a distinct segment as one of many go-to creators that appeals to each gaming and sports activities followers.
Whereas this transfer can be criticized, the occasion is designed to have a good time this shared viewers. Each Kolcheff and Abner are followers of the UFC. The 2 are welcoming the chance to have a good time the whole lot that unites FPS gamers and UFC followers. Having a fan compete alongside themselves and Name of Obligation’s most recognizable personalities places that fandom entrance and heart.
“I want I had alternatives like this after I was developing,” stated Kolcheff. “We’re bringing nothing however positivity, wholesome competitors and a giant bag to Vegas for the MFAM Gauntlet. I can’t wait to get again in entrance of the group, play and provides one expert fan a shot at $100,000. The Gauntlet at UFC X on July eighth goes to be loopy!”
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