UFC CEO Dana White consistently expresses his reservations about the strategies adopted by various MMA promotions. He recently spoke about the Bellator-PFL merger and questioned the commercial viability of both promotions, criticizing their business practices.
On November 20, 2023, the PFL made headlines by officially acquiring Bellator MMA. PFL chairman Donn Davis emphasized that the collaboration would rival the roster of the UFC.
Subsequently, during the UFC Austin press conference after the event, Dana White was probed about his stance on PFL’s assertion of being an industry ‘co-leader.’
In response, White’s tone remained indifferent yet pointed. He remarked, “Good for them. I wish them all of the luck in the world… One sh*tty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches buys another sh*tty organization that sells no tickets and nobody watches. Sounds like a f***in’ winner to me, boys! Wohoo!”
Furthermore, White backed his stance by questioning the PFL’s commercial success, challenging their ticket sales and TV rankings.
He questioned: “What do you think? What do you think of their ticket sales? What do you think of their TV rankings?”
Immediately following UFC on ESPN 52 (referred to as UFC Austin), Dana White articulated his opinions on the PFL-Bellator merger. The event showcased spectacular performances where emerging talents ended up defeating over seasoned veterans.
The main event witnessed Arman Tsarukyan delivering a first-round knockout to the No.4-ranked lightweight Beneil Dariush, marking a significant milestone in Tsarukyan’s career.
Simultaneously, other rising contenders such as Jalin Turner and Sean Brady secured dominant victories against veterans like Bobby Green and Kelvin Gastelum, respectively.
Fans are now getting excited for the upcoming UFC 300 event, which promises to be a spectacle. The MMA community has been speculating the return of UFC stars like Conor McGregor, Ronda Rousey, and Brock Lesnar. However, White has denied their comeback in the event.