UFC and WWE are two of the biggest names in the sports industry. While UFC focuses on real and high-octane action, WWE is all about wrestling entertainment. Because of that, Dana White received many offers from people who wanted to buy the company.
And surprisingly, one of the names he recently mentioned was none other than Vince McMahon’s son, Shane McMahon. But Vince was always against the plan because of the risk factor involved in the action inside the octagon.
Dana White Confirms Hearing Shane McMahon’s UFC Buyout Plan
Shane McMahon had big dreams for the UFC in its early days. While the TKO Group now owns both WWE and UFC, things weren’t always this way. Back then, UFC had a different owner, and Shane saw potential in the company. However, his father didn’t believe in the business model, so Shane had to set aside his interest in favor of his father’s vision.
In a recent appearance on the What’s Your Story? podcast, Dana White shared that Shane McMahon seriously considered buying the MMA giant when it was still growing. White recalled, “Basically, there was this rumor out there, that your brother wanted to buy the UFC. He thought it could be big — and your father didn’t believe in it. And your father wouldn’t do it.”
Stephanie McMahon confirmed some truth to this rumor. She laughed, mentioning that Shane had always been a huge UFC fan. She joked that she was the “subject of his many violent experiments,” referencing Shane’s love for MMA.
Dana White on How Vince McMahon Destroyed UFC’s First TV Deal
Dana White, who recently appeared at WrestleMania 41, explained that UFC was very close to securing a major TV deal to air it on the USA Network. This deal could have given them much-needed exposure earlier. After a long round of talks, NBC executives agreed to the deal, and everything seemed set. However, the next day, something surprising happened.
NBC executives came back with shocking news. They had just learned that Vince McMahon had the power to stop another combat sport from airing on USA Network. White was left stunned, asking, “How is that even possible?”
Dana White tells Vince McMahon story and how that led to the UFC getting a deal with FOX instead of NBC. pic.twitter.com/Om1qjHhqQs
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) April 17, 2025
Not giving up, White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta decided to meet with McMahon personally in an attempt to save the deal. But McMahon remained firm and didn’t change his mind. “We’re like, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘Eh, I just don’t want it.’ So that blew up the whole NBC deal,” White concluded.
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