“Bringing In the Women With Ronda Rousey”- After Bringing $21.4B Success for UFC, Dana White Looks Back on the “Incredible Moments” in the Organization

Dana White is synonymous with the UFC today. But some people may not be aware that the Las Vegas native was not associated with the promotion until eight years after its formation. In 2001, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta owned Zuffa LLC  bought the promotion, and together with Dan White, they ran the company before selling it to the talent company WWE-IMG in 2016. Now, Endeavor, the owner of UFC has bought WWE and merged it with the UFC. This combined entity has a  valuation of $21.4 billion. 

When White took over the promotion, it was in dire shape and far from mainstream. It was banned in various states, including New York because it was considered a vulgar and dangerous sport. Presidential candidate and Senator John McCain once called MMA “human cockfighting.”

Today, the UFC is on the largest sports broadcast network in the world- ESPN holds events in the biggest venues in the world, and its stars appear in late-night talk shows, and rub shoulders with the biggest celebrities in the world. UFC has come a long way. As the promotion approaches its 30th anniversary and 300th PPV events, Dana White, looked back upon the thirty years of the UFC in an interview with TNT Sports.

Dana White picks his favorite moments from thirty years of the UFC

The interviewer asked Dana to pick the most outstanding moments from its history. The UFC boss told the interviewer that there were too many to choose from. He mentioned buying the UFC as one of them, getting it on PPV, securing broadcasting deals with ESPN and Fox, and showcasing events in marquee venues such as the Madison Square Garden in New York and the O2 Arena in London, as some of his favorites.

“There are so many. Obviously, buying the company then trying to get it back on PPV. Getting our first TV Deal with Spike, then getting Fox, then ESPN. Doing the big arenas, doing Madison Square Garden, doing the O2 for the first time.” he said.

White also gave credit to fighters, claiming they had given the UFC many unforgettable moments, and concluded by singling out the introduction of the women’s division with Ronda Rousey. “There’s been so many incredible moments from different superstars. Bringing in the women with Ronda Rousey. I can go on forever there’s just been so many incredible Moments that stand out to me.”

Read More – After Selling the UFC for $4.025 Billion Dana White Reveals How Much He Hated to Stay Away From the Business: “That’s How Much I Love This”

Dana White took over a fledgling promotion (and sport) that was struggling for its survival and made it into a powerhouse. Today, the UFC is the most successful MMA promotion, and MMA is an increasingly popular sport worldwide. Of course, the UFC boss comes under fire from fans on the issue of fighter pay, health insurance, and personal sponsorships—all serious and persistent issues that the UFC should be looking at. But it is equally true that the UFC and Dana White have contributed a lot to making the sport of MMA what it is today.

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