Talent agency WME-IMG to buy mixed martial arts group UFC
Talent agency WME-IMG to buy mixed martial arts group UFC Talent agency WME-IMG said on Monday it would buy mixed martial arts promoter Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in a transaction a source valued at $4 billion, making it the world's biggest-ever sports deal. The deal involving the global sports powerhouse is backed by private equity firms Silver Lake Partners LP and KKR & Co LP as well as investment firms owned by billionaire Michael Dell and his family. Founded in 1993, UFC holds more than 40 fights around the world every year. These events, which feature mixed martial arts derived from a Brazilian form of fighting, are broadcast in more than 156 countries, reaching 1.1 billion households. WME-IMG did not provide the terms of the deal in a statement, but a source confirmed the deal values the mixed-martial arts franchise at around $4 billion. Previously, the largest sports deal was Liberty Media Corp's purchase of the Atlanta Braves in 2007 for $...