A group of private investors have agreed to buy the UFC for about $4 billion. The sale will not close for several weeks. It will be the largest franchise sale in sports history.
The New York Times reported the impending sale late on July 10, and UFC president Dana White confirmed it in interviews with ESPN and the Associated Press. White said the sale would elevate MMA to the next level. He had previously denied rumors that the UFC was up for sale.
Hollywood talent agency WME-IMG is purchasing the UFC. The agency has represented UFC and several of its mixed martial arts fighters. It will now be the organization’s owner and operating partner. The UFC will receive financial support from several private equity firms, including Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and an investment firm belonging to Michael S. Dell, the founder of Dell Computers.
Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta bought the UFC in 2001 for $2 million and own the majority share of the organization. They run Zuffa LLC, which invested over $40 million in mixed martial arts when it was illegal in many states. Since then, the sport has gained acceptance and is now legal across the United States.
The Fertittas will retain a minority share but will no longer be involved in day-to-day operations. They will focus on other pursuits, including their casino business.
The Fertittas gave White a 9 percent stake in exchange for serving as president and head promoter. White will continue to run the UFC after the sale.
Flash Entertainment, a branch of the Abu Dhabi government, bought a 10 percent share of the company in 2010. It will keep its share.
MMA events are now broadcast in over 156 countries on a variety of platforms. The UFC promoted 330 events with Zuffa as its owner. The most recent was the UFC 200 fight card in Las Vegas on July 9 that set Nevada mixed martial arts event records for attendance and live gate.
Capital City Tickets has tickets for many upcoming sporting events, including mixed martial arts. See your favorite UFC fighters compete at events across the United States.
Upcoming MMA Events & Tickets
Click the links below to find tickets.
July 13 – UFC Fight Night in Sioux Falls, South Dakota
July 15 – Resurrection Fighting Alliance 40 in Prior Lake, Minnesota
July 16 – Bellator 158 in London, United Kingdom
July 16 – Rumble at the Roseland in Portland, Oregon
July 17 – Submission Underground in Portland, Oregon
July 22 – Bellator 159 in Mulvane, Kansas
July 22 – RFC 37 in Tampa, Florida
July 23 – UFC Fight Night in Chicago, Illinois
July 23 – CageSport in Tacoma, Washington
July 23 – Shamrock FC Mixed Martial Arts in St. Louis, Missouri
July 30 – World Series of Fighting in Everett, Washington
July 30 – UFC 201 in Atlanta, Georgia
August 5 – Dana White: Looking for a Fight in Bangor, Maine
August 6 – UFC Fight Night in Salt Lake City, Utah
August 6 – MMA Summer Showdown III in Marysville, Washington
August 6 – Atlas Fights in Biloxi, Mississippi
August 12 – Fight Time Pro MMA in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
August 13 – Shamrock FC Mixed Martial Arts in St. Louis, Missouri
August 20 – UFC 202 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Use Promo Code CHEAP on All Ticket Orders!