Dana White Responds To UFC Sale Reports, Big UFC PPV Fight Is Off (Updated)
- As noted, Darren Rovell of ESPN reported this evening that the UFC was in "advanced talks" to sell the promotion. According to the report, at least four bidders have submitted offers to purchase the company, including WME/IMG, The Blackstone Group, China Media Capital and Dalian Wanda Group. It was noted that the winning bid will be in the $3.5 billion – $4 billion range, with the Chinese-based Dalian Wanda Group being in the lead. UFC President Dana White responded to the report, telling The Las Vegas Review Journal that the story is "overblown."
"The UFC is not for sale," White said. "The ESPN story is overblown. Darren Rovell is not a fan of facts. His facts could not be further off."
Rovell responded to White on Twitter, writing:
LOL: @danawhite says UFC is not for sale and that I'm not a "fan of facts." We had 5 independent sources on this pic.twitter.com/ST17klo1XK
? Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 11, 2016
Hey @danawhite, once you hire an investment back to give out your financials, it's hard to say you're not for sale.
? Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 11, 2016
We had three different independent sources that said that UFC volunteered a full year EBITDA of in between $200M & $250M to investors.
? Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 11, 2016
- Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports reports that Anderson Silva is being forced to withdraw from this Saturday's UFC 198 card in in Curitiba, Brazil. Silva developed abdominal pain on Monday, and will see a surgeon shortly to see if gallbladder surgery will be required. The UFC is trying to find a replacement to face Silva's originally scheduled opponent, Uriah Hall.
"Anderson developed abdominal discomfort [Monday and] further evaluation today is consistent with acute cholecystitis," UFC medical consultant Jeff Davidson told Yahoo Sports. "He will be seen by a surgeon today for possible surgery."
Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder. According to WebMD, the "main treatment for acute cholecystitis is surgery to remove the gallbladder."
Wrestling Inc. will have live coverage of UFC 198: Werdum vs. Miocic this Saturday. We will provide quick results of the preliminary card, followed by detailed round-by-round coverage of the main card.