Are you a die-hard UFC fan? Have you ever wondered who owns the world-renowned Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and how it has grown to become one of the biggest sports organizations in the world? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will dive deep into the ownership of the UFC, the journey it took to get to where it is today, and some interesting facts that you may not know. So, let’s get started!
Introduction
The UFC is a mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion that was founded in 1993 by Art Davie and Rorion Gracie. It has since become the largest MMA organization in the world, featuring some of the most skilled fighters from all around the globe. The UFC has become a global phenomenon, with fans tuning in from all corners of the world to watch their favorite fighters battle it out in the Octagon. But who owns this powerhouse of a company? Let’s find out.
The Current UFC Owners
The majority ownership of the UFC lies with the Endeavor group, which is a global entertainment, sports, and content company, which controls 50.1% of the organization through Zuffa, LLC. Endeavor purchased the UFC from Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta in 2016 for $4 billion.
As the majority stakeholders, the Endeavor group is responsible for making key decisions related to the UFC’s operations and future direction. The remaining 49.9% of the organization is owned by Silver Lake Partners, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and MSD Capital, who also have a significant interest in the UFC’s success.
Who is Endevour?
Endeavor is a Hollywood heavyweight with fingers in various pies across the entertainment industry. But it wasn’t until they acquired the UFC that they hit the motherlode.
The pandemic was a gut punch for businesses worldwide, and Endeavor was no exception. Their other ventures took a beating, but the UFC kept churning out profits.
Before the pandemic, the UFC was responsible for a solid 50% of Endeavor’s income. When COVID-19 hit, that number skyrocketed to around 80%. While most businesses were shuttering their doors, the UFC kept the lights on.
Sure, they took a brief hiatus when the world came to a standstill, but they didn’t skip a beat. Within two months, they adapted and started hosting events again, almost every weekend.
The Endeavor Group Holdings, previously known as WME-IMG, took a majority stake in the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, LLC, from the Fertitta brothers for a cool $4 billion plus.
Is Dana White the Owner of the UFC?
Dana White is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable faces in the world of MMA. He has been with the UFC since 2001 and has been instrumental in the organization’s growth and success.
However, many people often wonder whether he is the owner of the UFC. In this section, we will delve deeper into White’s role in the UFC and whether he is, in fact, the owner of the organization.
Dana White’s Role in the UFC
Dana White is the current President of the UFC, and he has been with the organization since 2001. While he is not the owner of the UFC, he does have a significant stake in the company.
White is one of the most influential figures in the world of MMA and has played a key role in the growth and success of the UFC. Under his leadership, the UFC has expanded into new markets and has become a global phenomenon.
The UFC Management Team
The UFC is run by a management team that oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. The current President of the UFC is Dana White, who has been with the company since 2001. White has been instrumental in the success of the UFC and has helped to turn it into the global phenomenon that it is today.
Alongside White, there is also a team of Vice Presidents who oversee various departments within the organization, including Operations, Legal, and International.
The Journey to the Top
The UFC started off as a small-scale event that was held in Denver, Colorado, and was called the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event was created to determine which martial arts style was the most effective in a real-life fight. The first UFC event was a huge success, with over 86,000 people tuning in to watch the event live on pay-per-view.
However, the UFC faced some tough times in the early days, with many critics claiming that the sport was too violent and lacked rules and regulations. The UFC was eventually banned in many states, and pay-per-view providers refused to air their events.
It wasn’t until 2001 when the UFC was purchased by Zuffa LLC that things really started to turn around for the organization. Under the new ownership of Zuffa, the UFC underwent a major overhaul, with a focus on safety and regulations, as well as expanding into new markets.
The UFC also signed a deal with Spike TV, which gave them a platform to showcase their events to a wider audience. The UFC’s popularity continued to grow, and in 2016, the company was sold to a new group of owners for a staggering $4 billion.
Interesting Facts About the UFC
- The first UFC event was held in 1993 and was won by Royce Gracie, who was a member of the Gracie family, who are credited with creating Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
- The UFC was banned in many states in the early days due to its violent nature and lack of rules and regulations.
- The UFC has had some high-profile celebrity investors over the years, including Sylvester Stallone, Ben Affleck, and Mark Wahlberg.
- The UFC has produced some of the biggest names in combat sports, including Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Jon Jones.