The Fertitta brothers
Another entry that really does not need an introduction. Dana White may be the face of the UFC, but Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta are the ones who made the magic happen.
The brothers, who own Station Casinos, bought the UFC in 2001 for $2 million and have since overseen its transition from small-time niche business into a billion dollar powerhouse.
It was also under the Fertittas’ watch that the UFC acquired a number of rival organisations, including Pride, World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), Strikeforce and the World Fighting Alliance (WFA), which boosted its status as the main player in MMA.
The Fertittas have also taken a lead role in major MMA-related initiatives such as the push to have the sport legalised in the US state of New York. All of that helps put the Fertitta brothers among the most powerful in MMA.
