There was no shortage of attention-grabbing news in MMA last year. Let’s look back on five stories that not only created storylines but set the stage for an equally eventful 2024.
UFC/WWE Merger
Endeavor merging the WWE and the UFC is undoubtedly the biggest news story from 2023. Housed under the subsidiary TKO, the combination of two of the most popular and profitable entities in the entire industry of sports entertainment will have a profound effect outside of the small bubble that is combat sports.
With an estimated value of $21 billion, a deep roster of talent, and a trend of expanding influence, both companies are primed for continued financial success. With highly anticipated events like UFC 300, the Royal Rumble, and Wrestlemania on the horizon, 2024 promises to be a pivotal year as negotiations for broadcast rights heat up.
PFL Acquires Bellator MMA
Rumors circulated throughout 2023 about Paramount Global putting Bellator on the auction block. Soon afterwards, more speculation surfaced naming rival promotion PFL as the frontrunner to purchase the company.
After some vaguely worded commentary during Bellator 301 and the impending shutdown of combat sports on Showtime, the announcement that the promotion formerly known as the World Series of Fighting had indeed acquired Bellator surprised very few.
With the announcement came an ambitious plan to run Bellator as a separate promotion with an event pitting the champions of each brand against their counterparts.
Going into 2024, the PFL has positioned itself as the only realistic competition that the UFC has. With the injection of talent from Bellator and global expansion plans that include a hefty investment from the Saudi Arabian government, it should firmly secure the second-place spot with hopes to gain ground in the future.
Also Read: UFC 300: Leon Edwards Hopeful for Spot on Card to Defend Championship
Francis Ngannou’s UFC Coup
Being the heavyweight champ of the world carries a prestige beyond titlist in smaller divisions as well as champions in more mainstream team sports. Francis Ngannou was able to leave the UFC and take that prestige with him into other ventures.
While his signing with the PFL as part of its upcoming Super Fight Series initially raising eyebrows about his decision to walk away from the UFC and supposedly record setting payday for a blockbuster bout with Jon Jones, his success in his pro boxing debut cleared any doubts.
Just getting a showcase against the undefeated Tyson Fury was a victory in and of itself. Signing on the dotted line and stepping in the ring meant that he had a chance to fulfill a lifelong dream and further his career without Dana White and crew imposing their will in anyway. However, his incredible performance defied even the most optimistic of observers.
With his PFL debut penciled in for 2024, an executive position with an African subsidiary, and a WBC ranking to his credit, Francis Ngannou could make further waves in the new year.
Dana White Power Slaps Decency
A year ago today, there was a huge question about whether or not Dana White, longtime front man for the UFC, would be forced into retirement. When TMZ released a video showing the then UFC president (who was simultaneously afforded the chance to offer his own statement) slapping his wife during a physical altercation at a New Year’s Eve party in Mexico, the countdown began to when Endeavor would cut the cord.
But, that hammer never dropped. While the company as a whole elected to remain silent on the matter, White himself addressed the media directly but managed to evade any true consequences.
Ironically, White almost seamlessly transitioned into his new role as head of Power Slap (and promoted to UFC CEO amid the WWE merger) without skipping a beat. It was a bold reminder that big business and morality rarely work towards the same goals.
UFC/USADA Partnership gets McGregored
Ever since the UFC brought USADA in the fold as a third party drug testing entity, opinions were split on the matter. On one hand efforts to ensure clean and fair competition were praised even if the motive behind it was likely more related to appearances for business purposes than a genuine desire to preserve the integrity of the sport.
On the other hand, it was hard to not notice the intrusion on the privacy of the independently contracted athletes, the uneven enforcement, and the implosion of some notable bouts.
As anticipation for Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon began to rise, the question about when the noticeably more muscled former dual champion would rejoin the testing pool for the mandated 6 months was never sufficiently answered.
That is until his reentry was confirmed along with a scathing statement from USADA declaring the end of the partnership with the end of 2023. As another busy calendar begins, it’ll be interesting to see how Drug Free Sport, USADA’s successor, handles the complexities of anti doping in MMA.
Also Read: Conor McGregor says he’ll make UFC return in June
