Cristiano Ronaldo Joins Forces with Ilia Topuria as New WOW FC Shareholder

Cristiano Ronaldo has announced his entry into the world of mixed martial arts, becoming the newest shareholder of WOW FC alongside UFC star Ilia Topuria. The football icon expressed confidence in the promotion’s vision and future prospects.

At 40, Ronaldo remains one of the most recognisable athletes globally. Currently playing for Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr, he continues to balance his football career with an evident passion for combat sports, having attended both boxing and MMA events in recent years.

Now, he joins Topuria at WOW FC, where the featherweight has been one of the promotion’s key figures. The organisation is based in Spain, a country where both men have strong ties — Topuria currently resides there, while Ronaldo spent nine years with Real Madrid during his playing career.

Ronaldo praised the promotion’s direction and stated his desire to help elevate its brand. His involvement highlights his belief in the values underpinning MMA.

“MMA represents values I truly believe in — discipline, respect, resilience, and the constant pursuit of excellence,” Ronaldo said in a press release. “WOW FC is building something unique and powerful, and I’m proud to join this project to help elevate the sport and inspire the next generation.”

Ilia Topuria Welcomes Ronaldo’s Partnership

Topuria welcomed Ronaldo’s involvement, asserting that the footballer’s presence will bring new prominence to the promotion and benefit the sport as a whole.

“Having Cristiano join WOW FC is a powerful moment for the sport. He represents the highest standards of professionalism, hard work, and global excellence,” Topuria said. “Together, we will push MMA to new heights and inspire athletes and fans worldwide to believe that anything is possible.”

The partnership may come as a surprise to some, given that Topuria previously criticised Ronaldo over comments made ahead of his featherweight title fight with Alexander Volkanovski. At the time, Ronaldo had questioned Topuria’s confidence in a clip recorded prior to his PFL debut, which the fighter later addressed publicly. Their new collaboration suggests that any past disagreements have been resolved.

WOW FC Executive Chairman Labels Ronaldo’s Involvement ‘Historic’

Arturo Guillen, executive chairman of WOW FC, hailed Ronaldo’s entry as a historic moment for the promotion. He highlighted that the footballer’s values align closely with the mission of WOW FC and emphasised his global influence.

“Cristiano joining WOW FC is a historic moment. ‘CR7’ is more than a global superstar — he is a symbol of ambition, resilience, and excellence,” Guillen said. “His belief in our mission validates everything we’ve built and elevates the future we are shaping.”

Guillen also stressed the significance of the collaboration between Ronaldo and Topuria. “Together — with Cristiano, Ilia, our athletes, partners, and the millions who follow this movement — we are ready to redefine the role MMA can play in global culture,” he added.