Dana White stays on as a minority holder following the UFC sale to WME-IMG. (Photo : Getty Images/Jeff Zelevansky)
WME/IMG are the new big bosses of the UFC and the group hopes to improve from the success of the Fertitas and Dana White. The group shelled $4 billion dollars to gain major control of the MMA brand.
The UFC officially has new owners with WME/IMG buying the world’s premier professional mixed martial arts organization for a staggering $4 billion. The deal ends the era of the Zuffas and Dana White who purchased the MMA brand back in 2001 for $2 million.
The UFC has improved through leaps and bounds and established big names that included Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor. The final sale price technically tells it all as far as the breakthrough that the Fertitas and White have accomplished in making MMA a popular sport.
Lorenzo Fertita will step down as CEO but Dana White will still be around to oversee the daily operations, TMZ reported. As far as changes, it will be interesting what WME/IMG will have up their sleeves. Should any change be forthcoming, all that is likely to sink in once the new owners evaluate the UFC roadmap.
The announcement of the deal caught many by surprise. It happened just when the company was savoring the overwhelming success of UFC 200. But word of the potential sale was already in the air even before the big event in Las Vegas so making it official was probably coincidental.
The next big event for the company will be UFC 202 which will reboot the botched Conor McGregor vs. Nate Diaz fight. The rematch will happen on Aug. 20 at the T-Mobile Arena, ESPN reported.
WME/IMG is expected to monitor the event closely and see what things they can do to improve the blockbuster if any. Being a large event that has been properly marketed, the new group led by Ari Emanuel will likely see minor changes.
WME/IMG are expected to have their hands full trying to maintain and deliver the same level of success that the Fertitas and White have accomplished. The purchase price says it all but like any undertaking, changes can still improve anything for the better with the right decisions.
The video below details the staggering $4 billion UFC deal.
