A historic day. The most exciting time in
our industry that I’ve ever been a part of.…Are you ready? @TKOGrp
@ufc
pic.twitter.com/OaVukRSuOb— Triple H (@TripleH)
September 12, 2023
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The UFC-WWE merger could have an impact on the careers of some
mixed martial artists.
The two companies, which now operate under the umbrella of TKO
Holdings, will remain largely separate when it comes to day-to-day
operations. However, WWE president Nick Khan acknowledged the
possibility that UFC athletes might have options in sports
entertainment as their fighting careers draw to a close.
“UFC fighters are going to stay focused on the UFC, and WWE
superstars obviously do something different in our ring,” Khan told
ESPN. “… But you also see in the UFC people with big
personalities who, once their UFC run is done, once the UFC and the
fighter says, ‘Hey, maybe now’s the time to call it a day,’ could
those people have a longer life at WWE, an extended life with TKO?
We think so.”
There have been some high-profile crossovers between the two
companies in recent years. Perhaps the most notable was Brock
Lesnar, who left the WWE to become UFC heavyweight champion in
just his third bout. He become one of the promotion’s biggest draws
during his Octagon tenure, and his name consistently comes up
regarding rumors of a UFC return. Meanwhile, ex-UFC bantamweight
queen Ronda
Rousey went the other direction, moving to the WWE after a
successful career as the biggest female star in MMA.
Regardless of what the future might hold, there is hope that both
organizations will gain new fans as a result of the high-profile
merger.
“Where we want to get is where every UFC fan is a WWE fan and every
WWE fan is a UFC fan,” UFC senior executive vice president and
chief operating officer Lawrence Epstein said.