THQ extends UFC license to 2018

THQ has extended its exclusive licensing agreement with Zuffa to make UFC games through to 2018.

"We're very excited to extend our relationship with Zuffa and the Ultimate Fighting Championship," said core games boss Danny Bilson.

"Working closely together with Dana White and the incredible team at UFC, we plan to continue to deliver outstanding interactive UFC experiences to gamers around the world in all new ways, including social, mobile and brand extensions."

UFC, too, expressed delight at the deal. "THQ has delivered the quality demanded by UFC and its fans with the first two Undisputed games and we are about to broaden the UFC brand experience among gaming fans through social and mobile apps," said UFC president Dana White.

"We are impressed by the passion that THQ brings to making great games and we look forward to working together to create even greater gaming experiences for our fans in the future."

In August Bilson told Eurogamer the next UFC game, tentatively titled UFC 3, will be released towards the end of 2011 and will enjoy a longer development cycle than UFC 2010 did.

"The mission on UFC 3, the next game, is to make everybody who's ever bought the first or second game, have to buy the third one," he said. "We don't believe it's a churn it out game every 12 months. We just don't."

Eurogamer gave UFC 2010 8/10 in its review. EA's rival, EA Sports MMA, will release this Friday.