The Fertitta brothers, along with childhood friend Dana White, bought the UFC in 2001 for a reported $2 million before growing it into a global phenomenon. The new owners reportedly share the same vision and passion for the UFC and its athletes. Its position atop MMA also allows it to match the sport’s top fighters against each other consistently, setting it apart from the hopelessly fractured world of boxing.
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UFC’s parent, Zuffa LLC, which gets its name from the Italian word for “fight”, was previously controlled by casino moguls Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. The organization already made moves into niche sports properties a year ago by buying Professional Bull Riders and forming an e-sports gaming league with Turner Broadcasting.
Dana White will retain his role as president of the organisation.
UFC fighters were notified very shortly after the official announcement via email that the company had been sold.
The UFC has been expanding its brand in recent years, most notably with its deal with Fox and its online streaming service, UFC Fight Pass. Some experts anticipate the UFC could land as much as $200 million in a new deal after that, though clearly more ideas for revenue-building will be needed in the meantime, especially to justify the largest purchase of a sports organization in history. Still, it bodes well for the continued success of UFC that, for the time being, things will remain unchanged, with White staying on as president and promotional face of the company.
The sale outlines how far mixed martial arts and the UFC has come after having difficulties in gaining approval from state athletic commissions across the United States due to its lack of popularity prior to the Fertitta brothers’ investment 15 years ago.
Originally founded in 1993, UFC now has offices in London, Toronto, Sao Paulo and Singapore, as well as its global base in Las Vegas, and has held events in 19 countries around the world.
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GameSpot revealed that in terms of the UFC game, an EA Sports representative said that they do not expect the purchase of the UFC by WME-IMG to change the current relationship that they have.
