It has been well over a year since since WME-IMG bought the UFC from the Fertitta Bothers for $4 billion.
Even though a huge sum of money has been spent buying the UFC and keeping it running, UFC President Dana White claims that the promotion is still growing financially.
“WME-IMG Endeavor bought us for $4 billion, and obviously they need to hit certain numbers for the banks,” White told ESPN. “Right now, I’m spending another $1 million (at UFC’s Las Vegas headquarters) on another wing I want. That’s how bad of a year we’re having. (Endeavor CEO) Ari Emanuel wants to buy the building next door and build more s**t. We’re still growing. I think the (2016) sale has everything to do with it. Everybody is looking at that $4 billion sale and asking, ‘Did they deliver?’ F**k yeah, we delivered. We deliver every single year. And still, every year, if you listen to the media, we’re f**ked.”
2017 was an odd year for the promotion, as the bigger stars like UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor and former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey didn’t even compete at all.
A new TV deal is expected to be announced at some point this year and the UFC President says things are about to get really interesting.
“It’s getting more interesting by the minute,” White said. “ESPN buys Fox Sports’ (regional sports networks), which the UFC is perfect for. And you look at FOX, they have a load of cash from the (sale to Disney). You’ve got powerhouses like Amazon, Netflix and YouTube.”
Up next for the UFC is UFC Fight Night St. Louis, with Dooho Choi and Jeremy Stephens competing in the main event.
