UFC is owned by TKO Group Holdings, a publicly traded company majority-controlled by WME Group, formerly known as Endeavor. In 2026, UFC began a seven-year U.S. media deal with Paramount that moves every event onto Paramount+ and ends the pay-per-view model.
Key UFC Ownership Statistics
- UFC held its first event in 1993.
- UFC recorded $1.502 billion in revenue last year.
- WME Group controls about 61.7% of parent TKO Group Holdings.
- Paramount’s U.S. media-rights deal with UFC is valued at $7.7 billion.
- TKO Group Holdings carries a market value above $38 billion.
Who Owns The UFC?
TKO Group Holdings owns UFC. TKO is a New York sports and entertainment company that trades on the NYSE.
WME Group, formerly Endeavor, holds the majority of TKO. It ranks among the firms that control large media and sports holdings.
TKO also runs WWE, the wrestling promotion that joined UFC under one company in 2023.
The UFC Origin, Founders and Early Years
Art Davie and Rorion Gracie created UFC in 1993. Davie worked in advertising. Gracie taught Brazilian jiu-jitsu in California. They wanted to learn which martial art worked best in a real fight.
The first event ran on November 12, 1993, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver. Royce Gracie won the eight-man tournament. In 2001, Zuffa, led by the Fertitta brothers and Dana White, bought UFC from its first owners.
Largest Shareholders of The UFC
WME Group
- Controls roughly 61.7% of TKO
- Formerly named Endeavor
- Privately held by Silver Lake since 2025
- Concentrated control echoes founder-controlled media firms
Vanguard Group
- Largest institutional holder of TKO stock
- Index-fund and ETF manager
BlackRock
- Major institutional stake in TKO
- World’s largest asset manager
State Street
- Holds TKO shares through index funds
- Institutional investment firm
Morgan Stanley
- Asset-management stake in TKO
- Global financial services company
Ninety One UK
- UK investment manager holding TKO stock
- Formerly Investec Asset Management
Who Is on the Board of Directors for The UFC?
Executive Leadership
Investment and Finance
Media and Entertainment
Law and Public Affairs
The UFC Products and Services
Numbered Events
- Marquee cards with title fights
- Stream on Paramount+ from 2026
UFC Fight Nights
- Regular event series
- About 30 cards each year
UFC Fight Pass
- Subscription streaming service
- Large archive of combat sports footage
The Ultimate Fighter
- Reality competition series
- Helped grow the sport’s mainstream reach
UFC Performance Institute
- Athlete training and research centers
- Locations in Las Vegas and Shanghai
Merchandise and Licensing
- Apparel and consumer products
- EA Sports UFC video game series
How Did The UFC Get Its Name?
UFC started under a different title. Art Davie and Rorion Gracie planned the event as “War of the Worlds,” and they formed a company called WOW Promotions.
Semaphore Entertainment Group produced the first pay-per-view broadcast. The team disliked the title, since it sounded like science fiction rather than a fighting competition.
SEG settled on “Ultimate Fighting Championship.” The winner of the opening tournament would be crowned the ultimate fighter, so the name matched the format. The promotion has used the UFC initials since its 1993 debut.
The UFC Mission Statement
UFC describes its goal as helping mixed martial arts grow into a major world sport. The company has framed that aim in public statements since 2017.
UFC also presents itself as a global sports brand and media business, not only a fight promoter. Its parent, TKO, sits alongside other publicly traded entertainment companies as a premium sports and entertainment group.
The strategy centers on putting live events in front of a wider audience. The 2026 deal with Paramount Skydance supports that aim by dropping pay-per-view fees and folding fights into a standard streaming subscription.
FAQ
Is UFC still operational?
Yes. UFC runs about 43 live events each year and reaches audiences in more than 210 countries. In 2026 its U.S. events stream on Paramount+, with select cards simulcast on CBS.
Who owns UFC?
TKO Group Holdings owns UFC. TKO trades on the NYSE and is majority-controlled by WME Group, formerly Endeavor, which Silver Lake took private in March 2025.
When did UFC come out?
UFC held its first event, UFC 1, on November 12, 1993, at McNichols Sports Arena in Denver, Colorado. Royce Gracie won the opening eight-man tournament.
What is the net worth of UFC?
The 2023 TKO merger valued UFC at about $12.1 billion. Its publicly traded parent, TKO Group Holdings, held a market value near $38.9 billion in June 2026.
Is UFC an American company?
Yes. UFC is based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its parent, TKO Group Holdings, is headquartered in New York City and listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
With many years of professional experience within transnational corporations in different industries, Richard Jaimes has had the opportunity to lead people and organizations, investigate future topics, create strategies and innovations, consult senior management and translate insights into business advantages. Richard is also a long time senior consultant with Quantumrun Foresight.
