TKO executive Mark Shapiro is now shedding light on why the UFC passed on the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight that eventually aired on Netflix this past Saturday.
Speaking during the JP Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, Shapiro explained that UFC officials felt the matchup leaned too heavily into spectacle instead of being viewed as a serious MMA contest.
According to Shapiro, Netflix viewed the fight as a major attraction for viewers, but UFC leadership did not believe it represented the sport the right way.
“(Netflix) wants big spectacle events and they saw this as a big spectacle event. We’re in the true MMA business on a meaningful, consistent basis.”
Shapiro also revealed that when he and Ari Emanuel discussed the potential fight internally with UFC executives Dana White and Hunter Campbell, they were told the matchup likely wouldn’t last long enough to justify the hype surrounding it.
“The answers we got back were that fight will be over in 20 seconds.”
The concern from UFC’s side reportedly went beyond the result itself. Shapiro explained that because the event aired on Netflix and reached such a massive global audience, UFC worried casual viewers might get the wrong impression about what MMA actually is.
“I don’t believe a fight like that, just the way it played out, is really good for MMA especially because it’s Netflix and such an incredible global audience… that is going to sample, depending on what comes up on the front page, to go to that fight and think that’s what MMA is.”
Shapiro made it clear the decision was not meant as a knock against Rousey, the outcome of the fight, or the audience numbers generated by the event. Instead, UFC viewed it as something that did not align with how the company wants to present MMA moving forward.
Outside of the Rousey-Carano discussion, Shapiro also briefly touched on WWE business during the conference. He praised ESPN’s promotion of WWE Premium Live Events and said TKO is waiting for YouTubeTV to complete its ESPN Unlimited authentication process, which is currently expected around August or September.
Shapiro also hinted at expanded opportunities for NXT talent moving forward.
“We’ve added some cards for NXT because we think have a couple stars that are about to pop and we want to give them more stage time.”
That comment lines up with WWE recently announcing the return of house shows this summer, which could give younger talent additional opportunities to work in front of live crowds.
Shapiro additionally stated that TKO remains heavily invested in the Middle East market for future events and noted that the company is aiming to generate $400 million in site fees through financial incentive packages tied to hosting major events.
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