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The Fight Business From All Angles 👊🏼 Where combat sports meets finance, data, athlete storytelling, and the forgotten moments of MMA.

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Dana White: “Sean Strickland said a lot of things. I don’t agree with 95% of what this guy says, but it’s his right to say it. And if you don’t like it, tune in on Saturday night. He’s going to be getting punched in the face.” I’ve seen a lot of people, possibly newer fans, out here waiting for the UFC and Dana White to condemn Sean Strickland’s press conference… especially with the new CBS and Paramount partnership. But Dana has already responded to Strickland’s comments many times. He believes it’s “part of what make this sport is so great.” If you don’t like someone or something they said, you can just “tune in” and watch them get punched in the face. Historically, that hasn’t always been his stance if you go back far enough. But in recent years, he’s been very adamant about this approach.

Dana White: “Sean Strickland said a lot of things. I don’t agree with 95% of what this guy says, but it’s his right to say it. And if you don’t like it, tune in on Saturday night. He’s going to be getting punched in the face.” I’ve seen a lot of people, possibly newer fans, out here waiting for the UFC and Dana White to condemn Sean Strickland’s press conference… especially with the new CBS and Paramount partnership. But Dana has already responded to Strickland’s comments many times. He believes it’s “part of what make this sport is so great.” If you don’t like someone or something they said, you can just “tune in” and watch them get punched in the face. Historically, that hasn’t always been his stance if you go back far enough. But in recent years, he’s been very adamant about this approach.

808,355 views

If your teenage opponent goes to touch gloves and instead you scream "f*ck you" and throw a headkick, you better be 1000% sure you are going to win the fight. Raul Rosas Jr. finishes Ricky Turcios in the second round at UFC Louisville

If your teenage opponent goes to touch gloves and instead you scream "f*ck you" and throw a headkick, you better be 1000% sure you are going to win the fight. Raul Rosas Jr. finishes Ricky Turcios in the second round at UFC Louisville

4,822,477 views

No disrespect to President Trump, but I’ve been in the crowd for multiple Trump walkouts and multiple Conor McGregor walkouts, and there’s a clear number one. We’ll see if tonight’s walkout by President Trump, fresh off the election, can surpass a McGregor walkout—but I’d say it’s very unlikely. Conor McGregor

No disrespect to President Trump, but I’ve been in the crowd for multiple Trump walkouts and multiple Conor McGregor walkouts, and there’s a clear number one. We’ll see if tonight’s walkout by President Trump, fresh off the election, can surpass a McGregor walkout—but I’d say it’s very unlikely. Conor McGregor

2,207,376 views

There’s no doubt that Cejudo is thinking: “Damn…this man wanted to pay me peanuts as a UFC double champ, made me retire in my prime for three years…and now he is showing me a closet where everything was bought by a personal shopper who can get any shoe in the world.” 👟🌎 Henry’s facial expressions during this tour of Dana’s closet are a combination of pain and hilarity 😂

There’s no doubt that Cejudo is thinking: “Damn…this man wanted to pay me peanuts as a UFC double champ, made me retire in my prime for three years…and now he is showing me a closet where everything was bought by a personal shopper who can get any shoe in the world.” 👟🌎 Henry’s facial expressions during this tour of Dana’s closet are a combination of pain and hilarity 😂

770,590 views

Tom Aspinall walking by Jon Jones two Super Bowl Champion brothers while rocking the massive fur coat is too good. I wonder if Aspinall even know that they are related to Jon.

Tom Aspinall walking by Jon Jones two Super Bowl Champion brothers while rocking the massive fur coat is too good. I wonder if Aspinall even know that they are related to Jon.

2,018,417 views

Crazy to think that Conor McGregor and Jon Jones in this video have a weight difference similar to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in their fight tonight 👀

Crazy to think that Conor McGregor and Jon Jones in this video have a weight difference similar to Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury in their fight tonight 👀

1,836,772 views

May 9, 2020: Justin Gaethje wins the UFC interim lightweight title, tosses it onto the canvas, and says he was “waiting for the real one.” January 24, 2026: Justin Gaethje wins the UFC interim lightweight title with a great performance against Paddy, keeps the belt around his waist, and says, “this is a crazy sport and and amazing life.” Same fighter. Same belt. Different perspective. Hell of a fight and he deserves to wear that belt after that performance. Hopefully he’s in the back with Dana and Hunter renegotiating his contract too.

May 9, 2020: Justin Gaethje wins the UFC interim lightweight title, tosses it onto the canvas, and says he was “waiting for the real one.” January 24, 2026: Justin Gaethje wins the UFC interim lightweight title with a great performance against Paddy, keeps the belt around his waist, and says, “this is a crazy sport and and amazing life.” Same fighter. Same belt. Different perspective. Hell of a fight and he deserves to wear that belt after that performance. Hopefully he’s in the back with Dana and Hunter renegotiating his contract too.

255,341 views

Michael Morales is just 26 years old, now 19–0 in MMA. Dude looks like a 205er competing at 170. Absolute freak athlete. Respect to Brady for taking this fight. Plenty of fighters in today’s MMA landscape would’ve said no, with the position he was in.

Michael Morales is just 26 years old, now 19–0 in MMA. Dude looks like a 205er competing at 170. Absolute freak athlete. Respect to Brady for taking this fight. Plenty of fighters in today’s MMA landscape would’ve said no, with the position he was in.

331,815 views

Including tonight, the UFC has held 743 events. There have been over 7,500 fights in UFC history. Only 15 fights in UFC history have ended via slam knockout… and Elijah Smith’s might just be the nastiest one of them all 🤯

Including tonight, the UFC has held 743 events. There have been over 7,500 fights in UFC history. Only 15 fights in UFC history have ended via slam knockout… and Elijah Smith’s might just be the nastiest one of them all 🤯

418,791 views

Jiri Prochazka was getting pieced up by Rountree for 10.5 minutes…then went full berserker mode and snatched an insane finish in a fight he was clearly losing 2-0. Jiri is a madman 🤯 Absolute war 👏🏼

Jiri Prochazka was getting pieced up by Rountree for 10.5 minutes…then went full berserker mode and snatched an insane finish in a fight he was clearly losing 2-0. Jiri is a madman 🤯 Absolute war 👏🏼

294,875 views

Alex Pereira responds to Jake Paul’s callout… Pereira isn’t one to show much emotion, but laughs himself to tears 😂

Alex Pereira responds to Jake Paul’s callout… Pereira isn’t one to show much emotion, but laughs himself to tears 😂

498,735 views

Ten years later, this is still one of the greatest interview answers I’ve ever heard in sports. Moments after beating TJ Dillashaw, Ariel Helwani asked Dominick Cruz a revealing question. “You’ve had big moments in your life. Is tonight the greatest moment of your life?” Cruz responded, “The greatest moment of my life was realizing I didn’t need a belt to be happy.” Cruz didn’t mention the belt. Didn’t mention legacy. Didn’t seek validation. That hits deeper when you understand the culture within the highest levels of sport. MMA, like most elite sports, conditions athletes to tie their identity to achievement. Wins. Belts. Status. But when those disappear, so many of these athletes struggle. We’ve seen the depression. The battles with addiction. The identity loss. The overall emptiness after retirement. Cruz reached a place mentally where he separated achievement from fulfillment, a place most high level athletes unfortunately never reach. This is a fighter who tore his ACL multiple times. Who lost nearly four years of his prime to injuries. Who endured surgery after surgery while the division moved on without him. Who was repeatedly counted out. He fought his way back. Beat a prime TJ Dillashaw. Reclaimed the belt he had never lost. The belt was the reward. The mental freedom he gained before stepping back into the cage was the victory. (🎙️: Ariel Helwani X Dominick Cruz - January 17, 2016)

Ten years later, this is still one of the greatest interview answers I’ve ever heard in sports. Moments after beating TJ Dillashaw, Ariel Helwani asked Dominick Cruz a revealing question. “You’ve had big moments in your life. Is tonight the greatest moment of your life?” Cruz responded, “The greatest moment of my life was realizing I didn’t need a belt to be happy.” Cruz didn’t mention the belt. Didn’t mention legacy. Didn’t seek validation. That hits deeper when you understand the culture within the highest levels of sport. MMA, like most elite sports, conditions athletes to tie their identity to achievement. Wins. Belts. Status. But when those disappear, so many of these athletes struggle. We’ve seen the depression. The battles with addiction. The identity loss. The overall emptiness after retirement. Cruz reached a place mentally where he separated achievement from fulfillment, a place most high level athletes unfortunately never reach. This is a fighter who tore his ACL multiple times. Who lost nearly four years of his prime to injuries. Who endured surgery after surgery while the division moved on without him. Who was repeatedly counted out. He fought his way back. Beat a prime TJ Dillashaw. Reclaimed the belt he had never lost. The belt was the reward. The mental freedom he gained before stepping back into the cage was the victory. (🎙️: Ariel Helwani X Dominick Cruz - January 17, 2016)

91,365 views

The UFC Featherweight Champ, Alex Volkanovski, has one message for Ilia Topuria: “Please don’t fight Max. Don’t fight Max. Alright, let just not let that happen. Let me be the guy to beat you up.” Alex Volkanovski / Ariel Helwani / #TheMMAHour

The UFC Featherweight Champ, Alex Volkanovski, has one message for Ilia Topuria: “Please don’t fight Max. Don’t fight Max. Alright, let just not let that happen. Let me be the guy to beat you up.” Alex Volkanovski / Ariel Helwani / #TheMMAHour

376,044 views

“I can’t let you get close.” Ariel and Chael on todays episode of The MMA Hour. Ariel Helwani / Chael Sonnen / #TheMMAHour

“I can’t let you get close.” Ariel and Chael on todays episode of The MMA Hour. Ariel Helwani / Chael Sonnen / #TheMMAHour

129,142 views

Despite the UFC’s financial success, ZERO MMA fighters made Sportico’s 2024 Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes list, while six boxers did: 3: Tyson Fury - $147M 7: Oleksandr Usyk - $122M 20: Canelo Alvarez - $73M 30: Anthony Joshua - $60M 52: Jake Paul - $48M 81: Naoya Inoue $42M (All fought twice in 2024, except Jake Paul, who fought three times.) Every UFC post-fight press conference begins with Dana White boasting about broken gate record, arena records, and others. Dana often compares the UFC to the NFL, NBA, and soccer, and they certainly have grown exponentially, but this is where the UFC truly differs. So, how is Alex Pereira not on the list after his massively impressive 2024? As one of the UFC’s biggest stars, Light Heavyweight Champion Pereira fought three times in 2024, including short-notice fights, saving and headlining some of the year’s biggest events, like UFC 300—yet he didn’t make the list. Meanwhile, NFL quarterback Daniel Jones landed the 100th spot, earning $37.5 million in salary and endorsements. It’s not breaking news that UFC/MMA fighters don’t earn as well as athletes in other sports, but it’s always interesting to see these annual lists considering the UFC had yet another record-breaking year financially in 2024. UFC 306 at The Sphere alone set multiple records, including the highest gate in UFC history at $21,829,245, surpassing UFC 205. Next week, TKO Group will release its full 2024 financial results, but in August 2024 they had raised their revenue forecast to $2.745 billion up from the previous estimate of $2.685 billion, with an expected EBITDA of $1.22 billion - $1.24 billion. The UFC is exceeding revenue expectations, reinforcing their financial and market dominance which definitely benefits TKO’s investors and stakeholders, but does it truly trickle down to the fighters? It’s a pivotal time for the UFC and the fighters as the UFC is in line for a new broadcast deal that will likely be worth over $1 billion per year. Ariel Helwani and his team were asked about the 2024 Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes list and it is definitely worth a listen. Full top 100:

Despite the UFC’s financial success, ZERO MMA fighters made Sportico’s 2024 Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes list, while six boxers did: 3: Tyson Fury - $147M 7: Oleksandr Usyk - $122M 20: Canelo Alvarez - $73M 30: Anthony Joshua - $60M 52: Jake Paul - $48M 81: Naoya Inoue $42M (All fought twice in 2024, except Jake Paul, who fought three times.) Every UFC post-fight press conference begins with Dana White boasting about broken gate record, arena records, and others. Dana often compares the UFC to the NFL, NBA, and soccer, and they certainly have grown exponentially, but this is where the UFC truly differs. So, how is Alex Pereira not on the list after his massively impressive 2024? As one of the UFC’s biggest stars, Light Heavyweight Champion Pereira fought three times in 2024, including short-notice fights, saving and headlining some of the year’s biggest events, like UFC 300—yet he didn’t make the list. Meanwhile, NFL quarterback Daniel Jones landed the 100th spot, earning $37.5 million in salary and endorsements. It’s not breaking news that UFC/MMA fighters don’t earn as well as athletes in other sports, but it’s always interesting to see these annual lists considering the UFC had yet another record-breaking year financially in 2024. UFC 306 at The Sphere alone set multiple records, including the highest gate in UFC history at $21,829,245, surpassing UFC 205. Next week, TKO Group will release its full 2024 financial results, but in August 2024 they had raised their revenue forecast to $2.745 billion up from the previous estimate of $2.685 billion, with an expected EBITDA of $1.22 billion - $1.24 billion. The UFC is exceeding revenue expectations, reinforcing their financial and market dominance which definitely benefits TKO’s investors and stakeholders, but does it truly trickle down to the fighters? It’s a pivotal time for the UFC and the fighters as the UFC is in line for a new broadcast deal that will likely be worth over $1 billion per year. Ariel Helwani and his team were asked about the 2024 Top 100 Highest-Paid Athletes list and it is definitely worth a listen. Full top 100:

56,827 views

George Foreman has one of the wildest life stories in all of sports 🥊 🕊️ He made more money from a grill than he did in the ring — because instead of taking a flat fee, he took royalties. At its peak, the Foreman Grill was earning him $4.5 million a month. He reportedly made over $200 million total, and in 1999, they bought him out for $137.5 million. In the ring, he was one of a kind — from the legendary “Down goes Frazier!” call by Howard Cosell as he won the heavyweight title, to facing Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle, watched by 1 billion people. George did it all. A true legend in the ring and just as sharp outside of it. Sad to hear of his passing — the world lost a giant. Rest in Peace 🥊🤍

George Foreman has one of the wildest life stories in all of sports 🥊 🕊️ He made more money from a grill than he did in the ring — because instead of taking a flat fee, he took royalties. At its peak, the Foreman Grill was earning him $4.5 million a month. He reportedly made over $200 million total, and in 1999, they bought him out for $137.5 million. In the ring, he was one of a kind — from the legendary “Down goes Frazier!” call by Howard Cosell as he won the heavyweight title, to facing Ali in the Rumble in the Jungle, watched by 1 billion people. George did it all. A true legend in the ring and just as sharp outside of it. Sad to hear of his passing — the world lost a giant. Rest in Peace 🥊🤍

48,127 views

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