UFC owners WME-IMG are on the verge of spending $1.1 billion buying out a number of the promotion’s minority owners, but it seems that UFC President Dana White is staying put.
WME-IMG have officially announced the money for the deal will come from two new strategic partners, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and the Government of Singapore Investment Fund.
An unidentified source with knowledge of the deal informed The LA Times that the buyout will include minority stakes held by Dana White, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta as well as Flash Entertainment and several banks, enabling WME-IMG to secure a majority 51% stake in the company.
“The money [WME owner] Ari [Emanuel’s] raising shows the commitment that Ari has to the UFC, and how much he loves this thing,” the source said.
Despite this, White will still hold a smaller stake in the company than before and insists that he’s still as involved in the company as ever.
“I’m not going anywhere, brother,” White said. “Not only am I not going anywhere, I’m actually making moves in the office and doing [stuff] and changing things for the way I really want it.”
“I’m burrowing myself in like a … tick.”
White also indicated that more changes are afoot in the company.
“Ari and I are partners. We’re getting involved in more [stuff]. We’re not going to spend a lot of money and not change things,” White said.
