ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — ENABLE financial technologies announced today two major events that highlight its long-term vision for behavioral trading in sports, music and culture. The company has appointed Efrain “DJ Mode” Mercedamusic director for Fresh York Football Clubits advisory board while launching Fan-funded seriesa first-of-its-kind trade activation model designed to transform community support into true economic capital for athletes, amateur athletes, independent musicians and emerging artists.

The double announcement highlights TURN-ON’s core philosophy: sports and music have always connected culture, and now they can also transfer capital.

DJ Mode Merced joins TURN-ON’s advisory board

Merced brings over two decades of experience as a cultural strategist and sonic architect in the global entertainment industry. His clients include brands such as: Cadillac, Pepsiand major sporting events such as USA Tennis Open Championships.

As music director for Fresh York Football ClubMerced designs the club’s entire sonic identity on match day, shaping the atmosphere for thousands of fans from the moment they enter the stadium until the final whistle.

His role at TURN-ON goes far beyond an honorary title. Merced will facilitate develop the platform’s sonic identity, experiential activation framework and cultural architecture to ensure that every interaction in the ecosystem reflects the emotional connection that fans experience at live sporting and music events.

Stadiums are filled with sports. Music fills the same stadiums. TURN-ON builds financial infrastructure for the same communities that power both.

“TURN-ON exists to change the way people participate in the economy of shared moments, enabling culture, connections and values ​​to move together. Music and sports have always lived at this intersection. Now financial infrastructure can do so, too.”
Efrain DJ Mode Merced / Advisory Board / TURN-ON Financial Technologies

Merced emphasized that culture, not technology, ultimately determines the success of platforms.

“Most people focus on technology first, but the real driver of a recent category is culture. If there’s no cultural moment, technology doesn’t matter. The key is to build something that feels natural to how people already connect with music and sound, and then reinforce that experience, rather than forcing an entirely recent behavior.”
Efrain DJ Mode Merced / Advisory Board / TURN-ON Financial Technologies

Where sports, music and commerce intersect

The TURN-ON strategy focuses on the shared economic reality between athletes and artists at the local level.

Martial arts athletes often train without endorsement contracts. Independent musicians tour on minimal budgets. Teenage athletes rely on families and local communities to cover travel, equipment and competition costs. Artists and visual creators often build devoted audiences without access to the financial infrastructure to support their development.

In each case, social support already exists, but the tools to transform this support into real economic support have traditionally been confined.

The Fan-funded series aims to solve this problem.

The founder’s perspective

CEO of TURN-ON Thomas Yu brings extensive experience in global combat sports management. Yu previously served as president of the Pan American Division World Association of Mixed Martial Arts and co-founder World Confederation of Mixed Martial Artshelping to create the infrastructure of MMA federations in Latin America.

Yu says the fan-funded series was created directly from his experience seeing athletes struggle to finance their careers.

“There are many things that TV and social media never show. Sleepless nights. Figuring out how to pay for proper training, proper equipment and proper nutrition. The stress this puts on parents, family, uncles, aunts and grandparents who want to facilitate but have confined resources. As a former president of the WMMAA Pan American Division, I can tell you that national aid for a selected national team will never be enough. In fact, even after athletes are selected to represent their country, they still have fundraisers money to supplement their trip. The Fan Funded Series eliminates this problem. Our programmable gifting tool provides peace of mind like nothing else.
Tomas Yu / CEO / TURN-ON Financial Technologies

Yu also explained why the company brought Merced on to the advisory board at this stage of the platform’s development.

“TURN-ON is not your typical fintech platform. We are disrupting the paradigm. Culture is not a marketing layer for us, it is at the core of what we build. Yes, money moves people. But so does pop culture. And music has, since the beginning of time, moved the masses in a way that nothing else can. Like sports, music is part of culture and together we can make a much greater impact. Coming from the heart of culture, Fresh York, Efrain lives and breathes this world. No I couldn’t think of anyone better to bring on board to facilitate lead the disruption and make sure the disruption reaches the players, athletes, musicians and artists who have been waiting for it.
Tomas Yu / CEO / TURN-ON Financial Technologies

How a fan-funded series works

The Fan Funded Series enables supporters – fans, family members, coaches and community members – to send financial support through the TURN-ON platform using programmable gifting technology.

Once sent, the funds appear in your digital wallet connected to the TURN-ON trading network. Recipients can spend instantly at participating local businesses, including:

• Gyms and training facilities
• Restaurants and food service providers
• Regeneration and wellness centers
• Hardware dealers
• Recording studios or innovative production spaces

Merchants only collect 0-2% handling feeswhile TURN-ON does not take a percentage of the transferred capital.

The result is direct economic participation, not symbolic support.

Broadcasters can also determine how their contribution should be used – whether for training, travel, equipment, studio time or recovery – ensuring transparency between fans and audiences.

Who does a fan-funded series serve?

Fan-funded fighters

Combat sports athletes in MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu – from the amateur circuit to international competition – who have sturdy fan communities but confined financial infrastructure.

Athletes financed by fans

Youth teams and independent players whose families traditionally rely on local fundraising to cover the costs of participation.

Musicians financed by fans

Independent artists and touring musicians who want a direct community support channel without platform commissions.

Fan-funded artists and creators

Visual artists, filmmakers, photographers and digital creators whose communities want to invest in their work and development.

Latin America as a strategic starting point

TURN-ON’s established relationships in Latin American MMA federations provide a direct path for expansion in one of the most passionate but under-funded sports markets in the world.

Yu says these connections give the company a significant advantage when bringing a fan-funded series to market.

“Latin America is not a market we’re trying to enter. It’s a home-field advantage. We already have relationships. We already have trust. We’re providing infrastructure to communities that have had passion for decades but never had the financial tools.”
Tomas Yu / CEO / TURN-ON Financial Technologies

Launch timeline and partnership opportunities

The TURN-ON function is currently enabled pre-start phasebased in Albuquerque, Fresh Mexico, based in Albuquerque, Fresh Mexico Scheduled to launch in the Southwest U.S. in summer 2026.

We encourage combat sports promoters, federation leaders, athlete managers, gym owners, music industry professionals and the artistic community interested in participating in the Fan Funded Series activation to contact the company in connection with the development of its network.

(Photo: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to UFC Apex Saturday, March 14, 2026Down UFC Vegas 114: Emmett vs. Vallejos. The event consists of 14 fights and will be broadcast live in the United States on Paramount+. The full results can be seen below.

The main attraction of the gala will be a fascinating featherweight fight between a knockout veteran Josh Emmett and growing Argentine prospects Kevin Vallejos. The matchup is a classic battle between experience and youth, as Emmett looks to defend his place among the division’s elite while Vallejos tries to establish himself as one of the fastest rising contenders in the featherweight division.

The 41-year-old Emmett (19-6) will face the 24-year-old Vallejos (17-1) in the main event, creating one of the more notable age gaps seen in recent UFC main events.

Emmett, a former interim title challenger, built his reputation on explosive knockout power and relentless pressure. However, standout Team Alpha Male enters the fray looking to regain momentum after several recent setbacks in the Octagon.

On the other side of the cage will be Vallejos, a teenage, rising player who quickly caught the attention of both fans and analysts. The Argentine’s prospect caused quite a stir after being knocked out in the most significant moments Senior Giga in overdue 2025, a victory that showcased his lively striking and ability to perform against an experienced opponent.

As Emmett fights to stay in the featherweight elite and Vallejos looks to push his way to the top of the division, this fight carries significant implications for the future of the 145-pound rankings.

The co-main event will be a decisive women’s strawweight fight between former title challenger Amanda Lemos and reporting specialist Gillian Robertson.

The fight, which was originally scheduled for overdue 2025, was postponed after Lemos suffered an oral injury. Both fighters, who had their fight rescheduled for UFC Vegas 114, enter the fight looking to prepare for another title fight in the highly competitive 115-pound division.

Lemos provides hazardous striking power capable of ending fights quickly, while Robertson’s grappling-based style has resulted in multiple submission victories throughout her UFC career.

UFC Vegas 114 results: Emmett vs. Vallejos

Main Card

• Kevin Vallejos def. Josh Emmett via TKO (strikes), round 1, 3:33
• Gillian Robertson def. Amanda Lemos via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Jose Delgado def. Andre Fili via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Marwan Rahiki def. Harry Hardwick by TKO (corner stoppage), round 2, 5:00
• Ion Cutelaba def. Oumara Sy via submission (top guillotine choke), round 1, 4:24
• Charles Johnson def. Bruno Silva via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

Introductory card

• Myktybek Orołbai def. Chris Curtis via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Vitor Petrino def. Steven Asplund via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Elijah Smith def. SuYoung You via submission (rear-naked choke), round 2, 1:04
• Manoel Sousa def. Bolaji Oki by knockout (punch), round 3, 4:12
• Eryk Anders def. Brad Tavares via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Bia Mesquita room Montserrat Rendon via submission (rear-naked choke), round 1, 2:07
• Hunter Sosa def. Luan Lacerda via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Pieira Rodriguez def. Sam Hughes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

The biggest star of German MMA will return to one of the most iconic European arenas of this sport.

German fan favorite Christian Eckerlin (18-8, 1 NC) was officially announced as the first fighter scheduled to compete at the event Octagon 94which will take place Saturday, September 26, 2026On Deutsche Bank Parkhome stadium Eintracht Frankfurt.

The long-awaited event is expected to be the biggest MMA gala in Europe this year, as OCTAGON MMA continues the 10th anniversary celebration with another historic showcase of the stadium.

The “King of Germany” returns

Eckerlin earned his nickname “King of Germany” after headlining the promotion’s first stadium event in the country, defeating another German fighter Christian Jungwirth in front of a huge crowd in October 2024. Now, with the support of his hometown fans in Frankfurt, Eckerlin hopes to deliver another unforgettable performance.

Eckerlin, a former professional football player who switched to mixed martial arts, has become one of the most recognizable figures in European MMA. His aggressive fighting style and deep connections with the fans in Frankfurt made him one of the biggest attractions at OCTAGON.

Eckerlin’s comeback season

The German star endured a hard 2025 campaign, suffering defeats Robert Pukach and veteran Ivica Trušček. However, Eckerlin bounced back in impressive fashion earlier this year when he lost Matous Kohout in Hamburg, proving that he is still among the top promotions.

Eckerlin believes that once you adjust your training plan and renew your focus, a fresh version of yourself will be ready to take center stage.

“Version 2.0 of Eckerlin has arrived and he is ready to show how dominant he can be.”

Stadium spectacle

Octagon 94 promises to be more than just a fight card. The event is expected to feature many of the biggest names in European MMA, competing on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

In addition to high-level competition in the cage, fans attending the event will be able to experience a fun-filled entertainment spectacle, including a halftime performance by a famed musical artist and other special surprises planned throughout the evening.

The facility itself holds a special place in the history of MMA. While Octagon 62 in 2024, a world record number 59,148 fans packed Deutsche Bank Park, setting an attendance record for an MMA event.

With tickets already selling out quickly – despite only one competitor currently announced – the promotion is on track to deliver another historic evening in Frankfurt.