The LLC that owns all of the trademarks for the UFC filed a trademark for the name "UFSEA" in a move that seems to imply it's a title that will be used in some upcoming event, according to trademark attorney Josh Gerben. The filing for this trademark was made on May 19.
As Gerben notes in his video explaining the details of what comes out to be four total trademark filings, this decision comes some months after Dana White announced the creation of Fight Island -- a private island that will supposedly hold UFC matches in the future while the United States is under quarantine-related restrictions.
The UFC has filed 4 new trademark applications for UFSEA.
— Josh Gerben (@JoshGerben) May 27, 2020
The filings indicate an intent to use the UFSEA trademark in connection with mixed martial arts events and a clothing brand.
These filings come on the heels of the UFC's filings back in April for 'FIGHT ISLAND.' pic.twitter.com/Cqa6AZEESW
But this name isn't exactly an original idea, and it's not just because it was an easy pun to make. The name UFSEA was brought up on Sunday's episode of "Last Week Tonight With John Oliver." In an episode about how sports are trying to return while the coronavirus pandemic rages on, Oliver talks about UFC and pokes fun at the concept of "Fight Island," including the name itself.
"Now, is [Fight Island] a clever name? No. Is it the perfect name? Yes, because it's the first thought an idiot would have if they wanted to name a private island where fights happen," Oliver said. "Now he could have called it Brawlhamas or Puerto Ruckus or Owie Maui or Slam Miguel, but he didn't, he didn't do that. And he didn't even go with the obvious for an island where you stage UFC fights, which is simply UF-SEA.
"Look at me, Dana: why didn't you just call it UF-SEA? It's perfect!"
Well, it seems like White took Oliver up on his offer and went with that name. It's not clear at this moment whether these filings will get approved, but what is clear is that if the trademark was inspired by Oliver, White absolutely paid no attention to any other portion the show, as it seems like he's still pushing to make this wild dream a reality.