Keeping Score: The business of contact sports

Global Business

The mixed martial arts organization, Ultimate Fighting Championship, is not for sale. Reports last week had the organization up for sale for nearly $4 billion.

UFC President Dana White denied the story, joking that if someone had that kind of money to spend, they should contact him.

Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta hold the majority share of the UFC with 81 percent ownership. White owns nine percent and Abu Dhabi-based Flash Entertainment owns the remaining 10 percent.

The reports named several potential bidders, including China Media Capital and Flash Entertainment. Dalian Wanda was the presumed frontrunner, thanks to CEO Wang Jianlin.

Wang has recently purchased other entertainment companies, including Hollywood studio Legendary Entertainment and a stake in football team Atletico Madrid.

Mark Gray from HSRN and TheShadowLeague.com talked with CCTV America’s Rachelle Akuffo about the rumored sale and the potential for MMA in China.