Dana White, along with the Fertitta brothers, played a pivotal role in shaping the UFC into the powerhouse it is today. Fans are aware that they took over when the organization was struggling. Interestingly, Vince McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, also had a chance to purchase UFC in its early days, but he passed on the opportunity. Many UFC enthusiasts are familiar with TKO Group Holdings, the current parent company of UFC, but might not realize that WWE is also under the same corporate umbrella. TKO is a merger between World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) and Zuffa, the parent company of UFC.
This connection is significant because Vince McMahon had a chance to buy UFC when it was floundering. In a recent interview, McMahon explained why he turned down the opportunity, even though his son, Shane McMahon, was eager to acquire it. Shane saw the potential in UFC and believed WWE had the resources to grow the brand. However, Vince declined, citing concerns with the UFC’s business model. He noted that in WWE, characters can be created and used for entertainment indefinitely, whereas in UFC, fighters’ careers are often short-lived due to injuries. He explained, “Once you’re beaten, once you’re hurt, your career is over. We show business, and that is a sport.” Essentially, McMahon felt UFC didn’t align with WWE’s focus on theatrical entertainment and character development.
On the other hand, Shane McMahon saw UFC as a perfect fit for WWE’s capabilities. He believed they had the production, live event, and merchandising teams to take UFC to the next level. Shane thought it would be a “plug-and-play” operation and urged his father to make the acquisition. However, despite Shane’s enthusiasm, they passed on the deal, and UFC was eventually taken over by Dana White and the Fertitta brothers. Looking back, the McMahons missed a golden opportunity, as UFC was later sold for $4 billion in 2014.
Over the years, the relationship between Dana White and Vince McMahon has been complex. White has said that McMahon tried to block UFC’s growth at times, but he has also acknowledged McMahon’s impact. In fact, White credited McMahon for helping UFC secure a major deal in Saudi Arabia. White revealed that McMahon was instrumental in arranging UFC’s entry into the Middle Eastern market. He said, “It was 100 percent Vince McMahon. He made every call. He didn’t make one move without picking up the phone and calling me.” This was a notable shift from their earlier competitive relationship, as McMahon had once disrupted a deal between UFC and NBC.
Despite their rivalry, the merger between WWE and UFC brought the two sides closer together. While they come from different parts of the combat sports world, they’ve become unlikely allies. With Dana White now stepping into the boxing arena, there’s speculation about whether the two might collaborate even more in the future. Their evolving relationship demonstrates how business dynamics can shift, turning rivals into partners.
Vince McMahon Criticizes Dana White’s Business Model Before the $4B UFC Sale ignoring Shane’s Glaring Ambition
