UFC President Dana White

By FCF Staff

The Ultimate Fighting Championship was sold for approximately $4 billion dollars last year, but according to Dana White, the ZUFFA ownership group turned down a substantially higher offer.

Last summer, a group led by WME IMG, purchased the UFC for the aforementioned, staggering sum. But, in a recent interview with the UFC’s Megan Olivi, White reported this (quote via MMA Junkie):

“There were two groups that came in for more money than (current UFC co-owner) Ari (Emanuel),” said White. “There was one for $5 billion.”

“There’s people who I believe add value,” White added, before referring to now former, majority owners, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta,  “One of the million things that I respect about the Fertittas – they weren’t just going to let this thing go for the money. They were going to make sure it went to somebody who could actually take it and bring it to the next level.”

White also went on to say that he envisions staying on with the company beyond the five year deal that he signed with the new ownership group.