Biography

Ed Soares is a renowned businessman and entrepreneur who has made significant contributions to the mixed martial arts industry. He began his entrepreneurial journey in 1998 when he founded Sinister Brand Clothing, a streetwear brand that quickly gained popularity among the youth. In 2010, he sold the company to Authentic Brands Group, a global brand development and licensing company. In 2003, Soares teamed up with Jorge Guimaraes to establish Tough Media Corp, a company that produced the groundbreaking MMA TV show called Passing The Guard. The show aired on free television and was instrumental in promoting the sport before the UFC had a television deal. Soares is also known for his exceptional talent management skills, having managed some of the biggest names in MMA, including Anderson Silva, Lyoto Machida, Rodrigo and Rogerio Nogueira, Jose Aldo, Cat Zingano, Patricio and Patricky Pitbull, and Glover Teixeira, among others. He started managing these fighters at the end of 2004 and has since helped them achieve great success in the sport. In 2012, Soares was appointed as the President of Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) with the vision of building the first developmental MMA organization for the UFC. He achieved this goal when, in September 2016, the RFA and Legacy Fighting Championship announced a merger between the two organizations to develop talent for the UFC and Bellator. In January 2017, Soares became the CEO of the newly formed Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA), which is currently the #1 developmental Mixed Martial Arts organization in the world. The LFA has sent over 300 athletes to the UFC, making it a crucial talent pipeline for the biggest MMA organization in the world. Soares is a dynamic entrepreneur who has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills throughout his career. He has played a significant role in shaping the MMA industry and continues to be an influential figure in the sport.