ESPN’s Darren Rovell has been all over WME-IMG’s purchase of the UFC. Back in May, Rovell was one of the first to report on the UFC’s potential sale.
Dana White denied the report and basically called Rovell a liar at the time.
The UFC is not for sale,” “The ESPN story is overblown. Darren Rovell is not a fan of facts. His facts could not be further off.”
LOL: @danawhite says UFC is not for sale and that I'm not a "fan of facts." We had 5 independent sources on this pic.twitter.com/ST17klo1XK
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) May 11, 2016
Rovell was eventually vindicated when the UFC sold for nearly $4 billion after UFC 200.
Now, Rovell is reporting that WME-IMG is unhappy with the UFC and that the sale has gone sour.
Not sure there's been an acquisition that has soured as quickly as the UFC. Have to wonder what protections WME-IMG has before deal closes.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 20, 2016
Dana White isn’t taking the report very well and proceeded to call Rovell ‘a total douche’ on Twitter.
he doesn't hate UFC he's just a total douche who needs to talk about just about anything to stay employed.
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 20, 2016
no fight there. Half a slap and that ones OVER!!!!
— danawhite (@danawhite) July 20, 2016
Rovell is definitely a douche but his reporting on the UFC deal has been spot on and if he says that WME-IMG has an issue with the UFC, I believe him.