PokerStars UFC KO Poker Series to Feature Knockout Bonus Prizes

June 19th, 2019 | by Kaycee James

PokerStars and the UFC will aim to deliver a knockout punch on June 23 when they host their latest tournament innovation.

PokerStars is giving players the chance to win UFC 241 tickets by proving they’re the biggest hitter. (Image: UFC)

Known as the PokerStars UFC KO Poker Series, the online festival will harness the strengths of both organizations.

After teasing the event in a video featuring Voice of the Octagon Bruce Buffer (see video below), PokerStars has now released the schedule.

Hard-Hitting New Look

As well as new look tables with designs “lifted straight from the Octagon,” the UFC KO Series will feature 68 MTTs. Each one will be eight-max and use PokerStars’ progressive knockout format.

In practice, this means the $10 million overall prizepool will be split between prizes and bounties each time they knockout an opponent.

The highlight of the online festival will be the $109 main event. Taking place on June 30, the UFC KO Poker Series main event will carry a $1.5 million guarantee.

Alongside the proverbial main card, the festival will feature a mixture of low, medium and high stakes offerings. What’s more, players will be able to enjoy a combination of Hold’em and Omaha MTTs.

To add some extra punch, PokerStars is giving away three UFC 241 prize packages. Taking place inside Anaheim’s Hone Center, the August 17 event will feature a heavyweight title fight between Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic.

Winners will be determined in the following ways:

Players that hit three or more KOs in any UFC KO Poker Series tournament win entry into an All-In Shootout on July 2. The winner of the All-In Shootout wins a UFC 241 package.

Players that score three additional KOs in another event win entry to a second All-In Shootout on July 3.

The player with the most KOs across the week-long UFC KO Series will win the final UFC 241 package.

By hosting a UFC-themed tournament festival, PokerStars is flexing its muscle. Although the likes of Partypoker have devised their own innovations in recent months, none have partnerships with mainstream brands such as the UFC.

PokerStars Hitting Hard

As well as being the leading mixed martial arts (MMA) organization, the UFC has a global presence. Using this as a springboard, PokerStars is aiming to bolster its brand beyond poker.

While that may be the long-term aim, the new series could boost PokerStars’ current position within the industry.

With players currently unhappy about Partypoker’s recent update, now could be the perfect time for the market leader to deliver a KO blow.