Sports

UFC Sold for Over $4 Billion: Report

The mixed martial arts juggernaut has reportedly been sold to an ownership group including Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

Foxborough, MA — Tom Brady vs. Jon "Bones" Jones?

Not likely, but we're one step closer.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft is about to have an ownership stake in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a new report says.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Sources tell Jeremy Botter of FloCombat that UFC owner Zuffa has sold the MMA league for $4.2 billion to a group led by WME-IMG. Also part of the group are the Dalian Wanda Group, The Kraft Group and Tencent Holdings, according to the report.

In the sports world, the Kraft Group is known for its ownership of Gillette Stadium, the New England Revolution and the New England Patriots.

Find out what's happening in Foxboroughfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The UFC was founded in 1993. In 2001, Semaphore Entertainment Group sold the league to Zuffa for $2 million. The group was founded by brothers Anthony and Lorenzo Fertitta. Both own 40.5 percent of Zuffa, while UFC President Dana White has a 9 percent stake and Flash Entertainment owns the remaining shares.

White is expected to stay on board, according to the sources. Former Manchester City FC head Garry Cook is expected to be named the new CEO while the matchmakers will remain in their current positions.

Word of a potential sale leaked last week when Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter and MMA Fighting reported that the UFC received two bids between $3.9 and $4.2 billion.

The sale is believed to be for 100 percent of the company.

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