Physical Therapy Intern

Who We Are:

UFC® is the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization (MMA), with more than 700 million fans and approximately 300 million social media followers. The organization produces more than 40 live events annually in some of the most prestigious arenas around the world while broadcasting to over 950 million households across more than 170 countries. UFC’s athlete roster features the world’s best MMA athletes representing more than 80 countries. The organization’s digital offerings include UFC FIGHT PASS®, one of the world’s leading streaming services for combat sports. UFC is part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) and is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information, visit UFC.com and follow UFC at Facebook.com/UFC and @UFC on X, Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok: @UFC. TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO) is a premium sports and entertainment company. TKO 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 1 billion households across 210 countries and territories and organize more than 500 live events year-round, attracting more than three million fans. TKO also services and partners with major sports rights holders through IMG, an industry-leading global sports marketing agency; and On Location, a global leader in premium experiential hospitality.

Position Summary:

The UFC Performance Institute (UFCPI) is the world’s first Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) multi-disciplinary research, innovation, and training center, and is globally recognized for the performance infrastructures it provides to UFC and UFC Academy athletes. With world-class facilities in Las Vegas and Shanghai, and further global expansion planned in Mexico City in 2023, the mission of the UFCPI is to promote performance-enhancement through the delivery of world-class coaching, science, and medical services to the world’s best MMA and combat athletes. The core values of the UFCPI are aligned to maximizing the health and wellbeing of UFC athletes and to support fighters and coaches in optimizing their training, preparation, and ultimately performances in the octagon.

Aligned with the overall strategy of the UFC and the UFCPI Shanghai, the Sports Medicine Intern will work with the Physical Therapy Manager to provide elite level health care services to athletes within the UFC PI, including (but not limited to) the UFC Academy, UFC rostered athletes, national governing bodies for sport, and other professional athletes as required. Additionally, this role will collaborate with UFC PI staff to develop best in class injury prevention, rehabilitation interventions, and return to play protocols for MMA athletes.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the Physical Therapy Manager to learn elite level sports physical therapy services, including evaluations, program planning, acute injury care, and treatments that include manual therapy, myofascial, modality and other therapeutic exercise interventions.
• Integrate sports medicine services into a multi-disciplinary model of care that includes technical coaching, strength and conditioning, performance nutrition, and sport science.
• Learn physical therapy care guidelines and return to play protocols.
• Assist in the development of support systems to aid in athlete assessment, data collection, and data management.
• Participate in on-going training with athletes, coaches, and UFC PI staff members to ensure continued professional development and adherence to professional codes of conduct.
• Perform other tasks, projects, and responsibilities as requested by the Physical Therapy Manager to establish a world-leading performance service.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of UFCPI educational, certification, and learning materials.
• Contribute to additional tasks, projects, and responsibilities relating to the success and ongoing development of the UFCPI Shanghai and the global UFCPI infrastructure.
• Assist with practice coverage support and injury management during technical training

Skills & Experience:

• Enrollment in Physiotherapy, Physical Therapy, Athletic Training, Sports Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation or ACBSP Chiropractor certification.
• Experience working with professional, high level collegiate/amateur or tactical athletes in an integrated performance environment preferred.
• Certifications in manual therapy and soft tissue/myofascial techniques are highly preferred.
• Awareness and proven ability to effectively collaborate with strength & conditioning staff on both prevention, rehabilitation and return to performance efforts.
• Professional experience in contact sports required, combat sports preferred.
• Understanding of the demands of the MMA sport (i.e. physical, physiology, gender-specific, weight categories, weight management, travel requirements, etc.).
• Must have good communication skills. Bilingual Mandarin and English speakers are preferred.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires close vision and the ability to adjust focus.  Additionally the ability to distinguish letters, numbers and symbols is necessary.
• Frequently required to sit, stand, stretch, walk, push, pull, bend, reach, squat, talk, and hear.
• Must have the ability to use hands and fingers to operate, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls.
• Ability to reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
• Perform physical drills in the training environment and hold pads as required.

Work Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is elevated at times.

The work environment is primarily indoors.

Will be required travel at certain times in support of athletes competing, promoting community engagement, undertaking talent searches, or delivering workshops and clinics.  Some travel to UFC Head Quarters in Las Vegas may also be required.

TKO EEO Statement:

TKO is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws regarding non-discrimination in employment. TKO makes employment decisions based on merit and qualifications, without considering an employee’s or applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under federal, state or local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. TKO also provides reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state or local laws. For information about Privacy and Information Security for TKO employment candidates, please review our Privacy Policy. For information regarding Terms of Use for this and other TKO websites, please review our Terms of Use.