Watch CBS News

UFC Sold To Group For $4 Billion, Dana White Confirms

LOS ANGELES (AP) — UFC President Dana White says the mixed martial arts promotional company has been sold for approximately $4 billion to a group of investors led by Hollywood talent agency WME-IMG.

White confirmed the sale in text messages to The Associated Press on Sunday night.

White will stay on to run the UFC, which has grown from a money-losing promotional company in a minor sport into a global entertainment brand. UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta kept only a minority interest in the company.

The Fertitta brothers and White purchased the promotion for $2 million in 2000, and the brothers' casino fortune kept it afloat while MMA gained widespread acceptance and increasing popularity.

The New York Times first reported the completion of the long-rumored deal.

(© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.