UFC President Dana White recently opened up about how he was really upset about the promotion’s collapse due to massive debt. He was hired as the promotion’s president in 2001 by the organization’s former owners, the Fertitta brothers. The early days of the UFC were not easy, as MMA at the time was not a mainstream sport as it is today. In fact, the sport was considered violent and barbaric. Many states in the United States outlawed it, while some did not even have sanctioning bodies to host events.
UFC is the most popular MMA promotion today
Today, the UFC is the most popular MMA promotion and it is also one of the fastest growing sports leagues around the world. Recently, the promotion has also merged with WWE under the TKO Group Holdings banner. UFC has big sponsorships and broadcast deals in today’s time and the credit for most of its success goes to Dana White and his incredible leadership during difficult times.
UFC President talked out the toughest period
Recently, in an interview, Dana talked about his toughest period as the head of the promotion. He revealed how UFC nearly went under in 2004 due to a $40 million debt.
“If I had to think of an era or period where we were in trouble, it would be before ‘The Ultimate Fighter’. We were $40 million in the hole,” said White.
It was the Feritita Brothers who made a significant £8.1 million investment and saved the UFC in 2004. They also launched their own iconic ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ reality show. The final fight of the first season between Stephen Bonnar and Forrest Griffin ultimately went down in history as the most iconic bout that saved the UFC from collapse.
Also Read: Dana White announces big matches for UFC 297, 298 & 299
Former US President helped the UFC in early days
Dana White has a close relationship with Donald Trump. Although the former US President is considered a polarizing figure in American politics, White has never missed a chance to show his support for Trump. Very few know that the former president has helped the UFC in its early days and allowed the promotion to host MMA events in his hotels when all other venues rejected them.
