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Dana White Explains How Vince McMahon 'Blew Up' UFC's Huge Network Deal

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Prince Horton | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 6:50 PM ET

In the ever-evolving landscape of sports broadcasting, the UFC finds itself at a crucial crossroads. The promotion is deep in negotiations for a new media rights deal as its contract with ESPN nears its end. Whether UFC sticks with ESPN or explores rumored partnerships with streaming giants like Netflix or Amazon, the outcome could reshape how fans experience fight night. But as Dana White recently revealed, the road to landing major TV deals hasn’t always been smooth—especially when powerful gatekeepers are involved.

During a conversation with Stephanie McMahon on What’s Your Story?, White pulled back the curtain on a moment that could’ve dramatically altered UFC’s broadcast path. 'So I’m on the 1-yard line, we’re about to get a deal done with NBC,' he recalled. 'One of my big deal points was that The Ultimate Fighter had to be on USA Network.' After days of tough negotiations, NBC executives agreed. The show was greenlit for USA. Everything seemed locked in—until it wasn’t.

'The next day, we come back, and they’re like 'we can’t believe this, we just found out—Vince McMahon has the right to determine whether another combat sport can come onto USA, 'White said, stunned. Determined to salvage the deal, White and Lorenzo Fertitta flew to Connecticut to meet with McMahon directly. 'We lay it out to him... and he’s like, 'yeah, I don’t want you on the network.' We’re like why? He said 'I just don’t want you on it'.

It was a bold move—one that sent UFC down a different path, eventually landing with FOX and, later, ESPN. With the next major rights deal looming, UFC's media future once again hangs in the balance.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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