Marine Corps Ends Sponsorship To Ultimate Fighting Events

The Marine Corps recruiting office has ended its sponsorship of Ultimate Fighting Championship events. A petition campaign has been protesting. It says behavior by some of the sport's participants is sexist and pro-violence. Maj. John Caldwell tells GovExec the Marines will advertise elsewhere. He cited evolving mission requirements, budgetary constraints and marketing analysis. The campaign was organized in May by a Nevada union called Unite Here. It consists of veterans, gay rights advocates and anti-violence organizations. Owners of Ultimate Fighting say the union was disgruntled because it couldn't organize culinary workers at the UFC casinos.