The UFC has skyrocketed in popularity this past year for numerous reasons. In 2015, the UFC had five pay-per-view events that had more than 800,000 buys which is the most in company history. UFC fighters Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey have also been instrumental in helping the UFC gain traction. Arguably, it was the best year for the Zuffa-based company.
Now a report is suggesting that the UFC could be looking to sell by the end of 2016. According to Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden, the UFC could be selling to a China-based company at a valuation of $6 billion. Either way, the report suggests the UFC is for sale.
Strong rumors that #UFC in talks with China Media Capital to sell the promotion. Looking for a $6 billion valuation. Crazy times.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 17, 2016
UFC courting multiple deals. New CFO and a few signs of a potential sale. I'd place even odds on a 2016 sale.
— Jonathan Snowden (@JESnowden) March 17, 2016
Take this report for a grain of salt but it is interesting to note, since the UFC is seeing a peak in popularity. The UFC has a strong social media presence with more than 19 million Facebook likes. The 19 million likes is 13 million more than the MLB, and 6 million more than the NFL. McGregor and Rousey have also tapped into a mainstream audience that no other fighters have been able to do.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship has been emphasizing in reach a global audience and has done so with the introduction of UFC Fight Pass in late-2013. Many of its cards in other nations have been featured on the streaming-based site.
Stay tuned to mmanews.com for developments on this story.