Fight fans might soon need to reimagine two combat sports as they know them.  The worlds of professional wrestling and mixed martial arts are unified now.  The World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and UFC’s parent company, Endeavor, have announced a colossal $21 billion merger. This groundbreaking development has set tongues wagging and raised eyebrows among fans of both wrestling and MMA. The merger promises to usher in a new era in the realm of combat sports, but it appears that not everyone is thrilled about this seismic shift.

It all started with the UFC head honcho’s most recent X tweet, where he shared a sneak peek into his emotions ahead of this milestone merger. While everything seems hunky dory from a business perspective, fans seem to have been rubbed the wrong way with this move. Fans don’t seem too stoked about the idea, and many are even bashing UFC President Dana White on this initiative. Why are fans upset and what is going to happen now that these two sports powerhouses have come together?

Dana White and Co.’s merger with the WWE

UFC President Dana White couldn’t contain his excitement about the WWE-UFC merger. His eagerness to share updates about this historic union led him to post a snapshot from his visit to the merger announcement on X. In the picture, he appeared ready to embark on a new chapter in combat sports history. His tweet, which read, “Here we go again @TKOGrp @WWE @ufc,” left fans intrigued and eager to learn more about what lies ahead.

What’s more – now, a Reddit post highlighting this merger milestone has ignited a frenzy of discussions among fans. But what’s behind the dissatisfaction? To understand this, let’s delve into the story surrounding the merger. 

Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, acquired WWE in a jaw-dropping $21 billion deal, giving birth to a formidable combat sports organization. Under the banner of TKO Holdings, both entities now stand united, with Endeavor holding a 51% stake and WWE retaining a 49% ownership share.

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Despite sharing a corporate parent, both promotions are set to maintain their independence. They have significant events and media deals on their respective horizons, with WrestleMania 40 and UFC 300 drawing the attention of combat sports enthusiasts worldwide. But fight fans think this merger is just an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing crisis within the MMA promotion. Currently, the UFC is embroiled in a controversial Anti-trust class-action lawsuit, which accuses the promotion of trying to cut corners in the treatment and payout to its fighters. But how much of this is true? And what are fans making of this iconic merger?

Dana White and Co. face a major backlash from fans over the UFC-WWE merger

As the WWE-UFC merger unfolds, it’s evident that fans have a diverse range of opinions and emotions. Some are excited about the potential for new, entertaining matchups, while others express concern about the direction combat sports may take. Here’s a glimpse of what the fans had to say on Reddit:

One comment playfully suggests a crossover match between UFC’s Lightweight champ Islam Makhachev and WWE’s Olives.

“Islam vs. Olives in Tables, Ladders & Chairs match, Dana make it happen.”

What’s more, a UFC fan likened the merger’s impact to a circus, adding:

“Lol, we’re gonna have a full circus soon!”

Many netizens were pessimistic about this merger, expressing concern about the future of combat sports after the merger.

“Going to be downhill from here.”

“Should be called RIP.”

“As if the UFC wasn’t already a joke.”

A comment predicts an increase in crossover between athletes from UFC and WWE.

“Athletes crossing over/between UFC and WWE will become more frequent.”

Another MMA fan made a pointed critique – implying that the merger jeopardizes the credibility of UFC.

“From Octagon to Credibility gone in one simple move.”

The union of UFC and WWE sparked a passionate debate within the MMA and wrestling communities. As the dust settles, fans eagerly await what the future holds for their beloved fight game. What do you think? Do you agree with the popular opinion that’s brewing among the fans? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

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