How UFC uses AI to turn data into real-time insights

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This is a podcast episode titled, How UFC uses AI to turn data into real-time insights. The summary for this episode is: Explore the partnership → <a href="https://ibm.biz/BdbTR7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://ibm.biz/BdbTR7</a> In this AI in Action episode, David Levy talks with Alon Cohen about how the UFC has turned its deep history of data into clear, meaningful insights. Alon shares how the team has moved from basic number tracking to smart systems powered by machine learning, computer vision and NLP. Thanks to better data management and processing, the team can measure speed, power and even fighter intent with far more accuracy. He explains why combat sports are challenging in terms of AI and data analysis, and how IBM watsonx® helps deliver real-time insights to fans and commentators. The episode also covers why building good AI takes patience, steady improvement and the careful judgment of people who truly understand the sport. 0:00 Intro04:11 Understanding MMA athletes and the culture07:17 Identifying the opportunity for statistical analysis in UFC09:28 The challenges of AI with real-time fight data16:24 How the UFC uses IBM watsonx® to power UFC Insights21:34 What data reaches UFC commentators25:14 How IBM and UFC built and trained the models31:08 How UFC measures the success of AI-driven fan experiences34:02 Advice for businesses advancing with AI The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

DESCRIPTION

Explore the partnership → https://ibm.biz/BdbTR7

In this AI in Action episode, David Levy talks with Alon Cohen about how the UFC has turned its deep history of data into clear, meaningful insights. Alon shares how the team has moved from basic number tracking to smart systems powered by machine learning, computer vision and NLP. Thanks to better data management and processing, the team can measure speed, power and even fighter intent with far more accuracy.

He explains why combat sports are challenging in terms of AI and data analysis, and how IBM watsonx® helps deliver real-time insights to fans and commentators. The episode also covers why building good AI takes patience, steady improvement and the careful judgment of people who truly understand the sport.

0:00 Intro

04:11 Understanding MMA athletes and the culture

07:17 Identifying the opportunity for statistical analysis in UFC

09:28 The challenges of AI with real-time fight data

16:24 How the UFC uses IBM watsonx® to power UFC Insights

21:34 What data reaches UFC commentators

25:14 How IBM and UFC built and trained the models

31:08 How UFC measures the success of AI-driven fan experiences

34:02 Advice for businesses advancing with AI

The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Today's Host

David Levy

|Host

Today's Guests

Alon Cohen

|Executive Vice President of Innovation, TKO

Alon Cohen serves as Executive Vice President of Innovation for TKO, a premium sports and entertainment company that owns iconic properties including UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization; WWE, the global leader in sports entertainment; and PBR, the world’s premier bull riding organization. Together, these properties reach 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. In this role, Cohen oversees all aspects of research and development of new products, technologies, or processes to improve existing ones for TKO. Cohen served as Producer for the most ambitious production in UFC history, Noche UFC, the first live sports event at Sphere, the revolutionary entertainment venue in Las Vegas. Cohen and the team delivered a once-in-a-lifetime immersive live sports experience by making use of Sphere’s state-of-the-art technology to enhance fan engagement. Noche UFC set numerous records including the highest-grossing UFC event and the highest-grossing single event at Sphere to date. Throughout his career, Cohen has been instrumental in implementing new technologies into UFC events, including the addition of the UFC Fight Clock, the first-ever official clock for the sport of mixed martial arts, the UFC Fight Deck, a walkable LED fight deck that allows UFC to offer sponsors additional inventory, as well as enhance the viewing experience by integrating additional graphics around the world-famous Octagon. Cohen also created the UFC Rankings, where fans around the world can access the most up-to-date rankings for UFC athletes, and UFC Access, a custom media portal and credentialing system for UFC and WWE. Prior to his time with UFC, Cohen served as Founder and COO of FightMetric, a company that provided statistics and graphics for marquee companies like UFC, Apple TV, HBO Boxing, and more. UFC purchased FightMetric in 2017 and rebranded the company to 3027, and the company now provides statistics and graphics for TKO. Outside of his role with TKO, Cohen serves as Board Secretary for I Support the Girls, a international nonprofit dedicated to providing essential items, including clothing and feminine hygiene products, to women and folx experiencing homelessness, impoverishment, or distress and allowing them to stand tall with dignity. Cohen holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boston University’s Teaching Program of the University Professors in Interactivity Studies, where he graduated summa cum laude. He also earned his Juris Doctorate from Boston University, where he graduated cum laude.

Alon's LinkedIn