As the news of the UFC sale to new owners WME | IMG becomes a public story, some of the more well-known faces and fighters are starting to comment on the situation.
As reported earlier this afternoon, UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor was one of the first fighters to react to the news after it became clear that the sale had in fact gone through. Additionally, Joe Lauzon released the actual mass email that was sent to the entire active UFC roster of fighters informing them about the UFC sale.
Dana White will remain with the company under the new ownership in basically the same role he has been in for years, as UFC President, and Lorenzo Fertitta and Frank Fertitta III will continue to own a minority stake in the company.
In addition to McGregor, several other UFC and non-UFC fighters and personalities from the MMA world have taken to social media to comment on the story. Below are some of the tweets related to the news of the UFC sale.
That makes it official. https://t.co/whBUODcXaP pic.twitter.com/C0liWVOpqD
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 11, 2016
There are so many fighters, I don’t mind the mass email. I’ve had nothing but the best experience with the @UFC but excited for the future.
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) July 11, 2016
I am honoured to have fought under the Fertitta regime! To have been mentored by these great people on this great business is a true honour!
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 11, 2016
Congrats @DanaWhite & @LorenzoFertitta nice investment.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) July 11, 2016
Im excited to see the global expansion by the new @ufc team! Big things coming! Hopefully a few new #wmma weight classes too! I'm ready
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) July 11, 2016
4 bil… I was probably worth more and so was everyone else right?
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) July 11, 2016
Perfect time to change the revenue split to ?? 46% / 54% split to be equal to the other major sports.??? #WeAllNeedToEat
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) July 11, 2016
Congrats on the great investment years ago @danawhite @lorenzofertitta Looking forward to seeing the @ufc grow even more!
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) July 11, 2016
I first started with the @UFC back in 2010 and today it sold. It's crazy how time flys. pic.twitter.com/3YWKcrUCTR
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 11, 2016
Deadly can't wait to see what % I'll get out of that 4 billion no more work for me going in to tell the boss to fuck himself
— Neil 2 Tap Seery (@NeilSeeryMMA) July 11, 2016
1 single move that would change the sport for the best, literally overnight..
Match the revenue split to all major sports. (Close to 50/50)
— Johnny Hollywood (@HollywoodCase) July 11, 2016
Looking forward to the new future of my company @UFC #ufc201
???— Justin (@ScogginsFlow) July 11, 2016
UFC worth as much as Star Wars. Pretty damn crazy.
— Josh Samman (@JoshSamman) July 11, 2016
I'd rather have Star Wars.
— Nathan Quarry (@NateRockQuarry) July 11, 2016
@crashgear @ufc Good… New blood new things. Good for them. Grow something and make money. That's the world. I wish it was me.
— Gary H Goodridge (@garyhgoodridge) July 11, 2016
Wishful thinking suggest UFC sale = higher fighter pay, but I've never made an investment in hopes of finding ways to slow down my return
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) July 11, 2016
UFC SOLD!?!?! Let the games begin!
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 11, 2016
If USADA disappears I'm out
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) July 11, 2016
How's gonna be the Ufc now ? Different the same ?? I'm exited
— Chito Vera (@chitoveraUFC) July 11, 2016
You are 1000% correct sir. The time is now. No more excuses for 15% of the total revenue to fighters. @MMAFA https://t.co/vvBiET1nMK
— Kyle Kingsbury (@Kingsbu) July 11, 2016
I wonder what comes next…
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) July 11, 2016