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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MARCH 20: UFC President Dana White speaks to the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference at Maracanazinho on March 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
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RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – MARCH 20: UFC President Dana White speaks to the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference at Maracanazinho on March 20, 2015 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
UFC President Dana White took to social media and made a huge announcement, revealing that the UFC is now public property. Under the ownership of Endeavor Holdings Group, the UFC has now become part of a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
“It’s official the UFC is now a public company #EndeavorIPO,” White wrote on Twitter.
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It’s official the UFC is now a public company #EndeavorIPO pic.twitter.com/wP9Qfjzumr
— danawhite (@danawhite) April 29, 2021
UFC has gone public as part of Endeavor Conglomerate and not as a solo entity. As reported by ESPN, White along with Executives Ari Emanuel and Patrick Whitesell were present at NYSE where Endeavor stock began trading at $24 per share and closed at $25.20.
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Dana White had opposed the idea initially
The UFC President appeared thrilled as he revealed that the UFC had become a public company. But he was not on the same page with the idea initially. While appearing on 8 News Now in 2019, White had revealed his apprehensions at running a public company.
He said, “I’ve never been a fan of the UFC going public. Can you picture me running a public company? No. I can’t either. Let’s take some bets on how long I last in a public company. What’s the over-under on that one?”
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Reaction to UFC going public
While the big news made headlines around the world, some fans and fighters alike had a few hilarious takes on the same. ‘Remember The Name’ Belal Muhammad took to Twitter and said he would make a matchup with Francis Ngannou and Chase Hooper.
I just bought a couple shares of ufc ..now that I’m part owner I’m thinking Francis vs chase hooper
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 29, 2021
Meanwhile, UFC middleweight Derek Brunson had a message for Dana White. He said he would be making some changes in the promotion.
Big day for me. I now own the UFC, just purchased some stock in Endeavor the company who owns the UFC. We’re about to make some changes around here. Dana White report to my office. 🤣
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 29, 2021
Anatomy of the Fighter too had something to share on the same in their Twitter handle. “I bought 500 dollars worth of Endeavor Stock, I’m an owner of the @ufc..so f**k y’all lol”
I bought 500 dollars worth of Endeavor Stock, I’m an owner of the @ufc 🥷🏾 so f**k y’all lol
— Anatomy of a Fighter (@WillHarrisAOAF) April 30, 2021
It’s not clear at this point if any structural or functional changes would be incorporated in the promotion. However, White and Endeavor executives are expected to reveal the full details in the coming days.
What’s your reaction to the UFC going public announcement?
