A China-based real estate and media company based is the leading candidate in negotiations to buy the UFC – at a valuation of between $3.5 and $4 billion, according to a report today from ESPN . Citing sources close to the negotiation, the report claims Dalian Wanda Group, headed by Chinese billionaire Wang Jianlin, is flanked by offers from WME/IMG, China Media Capital and The Blackstone Group for the MMA industry leader, which was purchased by casino magnates Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta in 2001 for $2 million. UFC Senior Vice President of Public Relations Dave Sholler declined to comment on a potential sale, telling MMAjunkie, “As a private company, we don’t discuss speculation or rumors related to our business.” The news, however, fuels long-circulating rumors of an impending sale after the UFC’s spectacular turnaround in 2015. After a disastrous year of injuries curbed 2014 earnings, leading one credit-rating firm to downgrade its outlook on Zuffa LLC, the promotion’s corporate parent, blockbuster events starring Ronda Rousey and Conor McGregor reportedly pushed earnings to new heights. UFC Chairman Lorenzo Fertitta told CNN the business raked in $600 million in revenue
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Report: China-based company leading candidate in advanced talks to buy UFC – MMA Junkie