UFC should be coming off a major headlining weekend showcasing the return of Conor McGregor to the octagon. Instead, UFC 303 had to stage the event without McGregor due to an injury. But UFC CEO Dana White spent zero time agonizing over the situation because of the many other things on his plate, from UFC’s next media rights deal to expansion of his Power Slap venture.
Was replacing Conor McGregor for UFC 303 tougher than your usual fight replacement because he’s UFC’s biggest star?
Dana White: No, listen, you’re always replacing one fight or one fighter with another — they’re all the same. I don’t ever look at it that way. It’s about, “How can we make the best possible matchup we can make for International Fight Week?”
Dana White said “everyone is kicking the tires” on UFC media rights.getty images
White: No — it’s fun because people like to look behind the scenes and take a peek behind things that they don’t usually get a peek at. My head of production really wanted to do this thing and he talked me into it.
How are media rights talks coming? Do you believe UFC is going to end up going to the open market?
White: Yeah, everyone is kicking the tires. And over the however many last years that we’ve been together, I’ve had some headbutting with ESPN, but I feel like we are in a really good place right now and I’m really happy with my relationship with them and the way that this whole thing is running. We’ll see how it plays out.
Is WBD interested?
White: Listen, I think everyone is kicking the tires and is interested in making a bid.
What details can you give out about the Sphere event in September?
White: Think about this: If U2 goes in and they spend $40 million amortized over multiple events — 40 events, I think they did — well, this is a one-time, one-night-and-done thing [with UFC]. It’s going to be incredible, and when this is over, my team will be the foremost experts on doing live events at the Sphere. They’re helping the Sphere take production to another level because we’re the first to ever do a live broadcast from there.
What will the giant screen be used for?
White: Like I’ve been saying, this event is going to be a huge love letter to the Mexican people, their heritage — past, present and future — not just in combat, but as a people. We’re going to tell the story of combat and combat sports throughout Mexican history.
You have said UFC will be the only one that can pull off something like this, but couldn’t the Saudis?
White: The Saudis probably would be the only other one who could pull it off. But none of the other guys [in boxing or MMA] will ever spend the money. Boxing doesn’t re-invest in anything, but the Saudis definitely could.
How is Power Slap coming along?
White: Incredible. It’s been amazing. We just knocked down two more states: Texas and Louisiana, so we’re sanctioned there. We just signed Vasilii “Dumpling” Kamotskii and brought him out to Vegas. He was the guy who started it all for me and got me into it; he’s one of the big Russians that we just signed. And we just did a deal with Saudi for two fights and then two fights in Abu Dhabi. Power Slap is now legal in Nevada, Florida, California, Louisiana and Texas.
How do you keep the momentum going?
White: The next event is at Fountainbleau [Las Vegas on June 28]. It can be bet on now, it’s legal to bet on it in 12 states, and we keep on bringing more sponsors. We just did the deals with the Saudis and Abu Dhabi, and our reality series has over 40 million views, over 10 million downloads on our video game; we’re in all the bars and looking to do more stuff with Dave & Buster’s and Twin Peaks.
Are you going to be involved with the new Saudi boxing league?
White: Hmm. It’s a possibility. It’s definitely a possibility.
Do you think Turki Alalshikh [chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority] can pull it off?
White: I think he’s the only one who can do it. This guy is making fights no one else can make.
