Dana White has guided the UFC from a niche spectacle in its early days to a global powerhouse. The promotion had a rough history in the US due to its perception as ‘human cockfighting’. However, the organization has steadily become the premier MMA organization in the world. The recent merger of the WWE and the UFC has also allowed it to expand its fan base to include a wider audience.

The two organizations are now under the umbrella of TKO Holdings. As such, the merger will allow the organizations to use their influence to help each other grow. In a recent statement, TKO CEO Ari Emanuel made some interesting revelations about why Endeavor was “bullish” on the merger. The comments highlight the projected benefits for both parties involved in the deal!

Dana White and the UFC’s merger with WWE is helping secure major deals for both parties

The UFC under Dana White has seen record profits in the last few financial quarters. During the first two quarters of 2023, the UFC has secured over $600 million in revenue. The massive success can be attributed to the merger as the WWE has also seen its profits increase. According to reports, the professional wrestling organization saw a revenue of $700 million for the first quarter of 2023.

The numbers illustrate why Endeavor Group holdings were determined to secure the merger. Comments by TKO CEO Ari Emanuel also indicate the benefits for the organizations involved in the deal. According to Aaron Bronsteter on Twitter/X, Emanuel has stated the group is looking to capitalize on the similarities between the UFC and the WWE.

According to the thread on Twitter/X, Emanuel stated that both UFC and WWE have an all-year operational cycle. And the large, young, and diverse fan bases for both ensure that major international growth is highly likely for both parties.

Bronsteter also quoted TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer in the thread. Schleimer revealed that UFC’s relationship with Australian authorities helped the WWE to secure a large site fee for its Elimination Chamber event in Perth.

In conclusion, the financial performance of UFC and WWE, under the umbrella of TKO, has shown significant growth, with UFC’s robust revenue increase leading the way. The revelations of the benefits of the partnership highlight the advantages the merger has provided to TKO holdings.

And with Dana White and the UFC aiming to capture another market in Saudi Arabia, Vince McMahon has been an instrumental part of the move!

Vince McMahon helped the UFC break into a new market 

The UFC is set to make history with its inaugural event in Saudi Arabia, scheduled for March 2024, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continues to invest in sports and entertainment to improve its global image.

UFC CEO Dana White credited Vince McMahon, his new colleague from the TKO Group, as the driving force behind the Saudi deal. He emphasized McMahon’s pivotal role and transformation from a former adversary to an invaluable partner.

White stated, “It was Vince McMahon. It was 100% Vince McMahon. He made every call. He didn’t make one move without picking up the phone and calling me and getting me in the loop ”

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In recent years, top athletes and sports events have chosen to engage with Saudi Arabia. Notable figures from various sports like Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar, have benefitted from the country’s Public Investment Fund.

This venture marks another significant chapter in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to rebrand itself as a prominent global entertainment destination. And with the TKO group looking to leverage the WWE’s connections in the region, the UFC will be aiming to secure another market for its fights.

Do you think the UFC and Dana White will benefit more from the merger than the WWE? Why or Why not? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 

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