September 13, 2023 12:40 am ET
LAS VEGAS – Dana White couldn’t downplay his pleasure Tuesday simply hours after the WWE-UFC merger into TKO Group Holdings grew to become official.
White was available at a TKO presentation and to ring the opening bell on the New York Inventory Alternate, alongside WWE CEO Vince MacMahon, mum or dad firm Endeavor CEO Ari Emmanuel and others. White referred to as it “one of many largest mergers within the historical past of sports activities.”
“We’ve been kicking ass for nonetheless a few years now. The WWE is doing nicely,” White instructed MMA Junkie and different reporters following Dana White’s Contender Series 62 on the UFC Apex. “I say this to you guys yearly. This simply takes the entire sport and all the things to a complete completely different stage. I flew out to that factor final night time and did it this morning. It was truly actually, actually cool. It was cool to be part of.
“I’m excited in regards to the future and what we’re going to do. And I at all times am, regardless, however after this merger, we’re simply a lot extra highly effective than we had been yesterday.”
White, whose job title switched from UFC president to CEO because the deal formally went into place, stated it’s a lateral transfer for him when it comes to his position and tasks. Within the larger image, nonetheless, White sees the merger as a lift wanted to take his firm and the game of blended martial arts to new ranges. “Every little thing that goes on right here I decide. Nothing has modified, simply three letters as a substitute of (9),” White stated. “… We’re simply going to proceed to kick ass like we do each single yr. For those who are fighters or media or whoever, this simply takes this complete factor to a different stage. It’s a lot larger and a lot extra highly effective. When you consider all of the issues that I wish to do earlier than my time is up right here, at present made that lots simpler and much more doable.”
As to specifics, White referenced the monetary backing the merger will deliver to ongoing enlargement and development of UFC Efficiency Institutes world wide. The promotion already owns and operates PIs in Las Vegas and Shanghai, with one other nearing finalization in Mexico Metropolis.
“These PIs that we open, they’re not low cost,” White stated. “They’re very costly to run. However I imagine really they’re the way forward for the game. That is what’s going to make the game get larger. Even in the event you prepare at a PI as a child, we go into Africa, we go into Mexico Metropolis and different locations that I wish to do that, you develop up as a child coaching in considered one of these PIs world wide. You won’t change into a fighter, however you change into a coach. You should have one thing to do with the game and contact the game indirectly to assist it develop.”
Whereas White remained deliberately cryptic when requested, he hinted that TKO might make a play on the planet of boxing, too.
He obliged when given the supply to disclose one additional element.
“I’d create (it),” White stated with a smile, when requested if he would purchase an present promotion or begin from scratch.
Years in the past, White ceaselessly teased the creation of Zuffa Boxing, although it by no means got here to fruition. Lately, White indicated he modified course.
“Each time I attempt to consider doing one thing with boxing, I am going, ‘Why would I wish to do that to myself?’” White stated in a 2022 interview on Blockasset’s BLOCK Party. “You realize what I imply? Why would I even wish to dive into this nightmare? … That’s why I haven’t actually completed something. It’s a damaged enterprise that’s an absolute nightmare to attempt to repair.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for DWCS 62. Make sure you go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
