Dana White Reveals He Turned Down $5 Billion UFC Offer

Dana revealed refusal of US$4 billion for Ultimate. (Photo: Josh Hedges/UFC)

In July 2016, still managed by the Zuffa LLC group, formed by Lorenzo Fertitta, Frank Fertitta III and Dana White, the UFC shocked the world of MMA when it was sold to WME-IMG, one of the largest talent agencies in the USA and the world. , for US$4 billion, around R$13 billion. However, the sale of the company for astronomical values could have happened for an even higher value, according to Dana, president of the franchise. According to him, the company turned down an offer of US$5 billion.

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“When we were making this negotiation, there were two groups that offered more money than Ari (Emanuel, leader of WME-IMG). There was an (offer) of US$5 billion. There are people who I believe add value. One of the million things I respect about the Fertittas is that they wouldn't pass this thing along just for the money. They wanted to ensure that it went to someone who could take this business to the next level – declared the director, in an interview with the program 'The Exchange' (USA).

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Asked why they did not opt for the most valuable offer, White assured that the potential of the new owners weighed in on the choice. “Now, we have a guy who is the king of Hollywood. Doing business like this is what he does. It will be much bigger for the sport, for the brand and for the fighters. Ari is one of those guys who has “huge balls”, he is very intelligent and created a very good plan for the sport. The vision that Ari has for the sport right now, I agree with him and I love it”, praised the president.

The brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, through ZUFFA, bought the UFC at the beginning of the last decade, in 2001, for US$1 million. Since then, the company has experienced exponential growth in revenue and has become one of the most profitable sports brands on the planet, with its market value increasing from US$ 1 million to 4 billion. In 2015, the UFC was named by Forbes as the tenth most valuable sports organization in the world.

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