UFC to lose eight-figure sum by staging White House event Dana White promises will be ‘special’

The event has remained a hot topic since then, with a host of big-name fighters staking their claims to be part of an occasion that the UFC CEO has promised will be “special” and one-of-a-kind.

After White’s remarks to hype up the show, the UFC certainly has pressure to live up to the spectacular billing. And it looks like they are prepared to accept sizable losses to make that happen.

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UFC predicting $30 million loss on the White House event

TKO Group Holdings president and chief operating officer Mark Shapiro recently delved into the financials behind UFC White House.

After confirming reports that the event will cost upwards of $60 million, Shapiro revealed that the UFC only expects to recuperate half of that spend.

“At the moment, the UFC event at the White House is slated to cost upwards of $60 million,” Shapiro said during quarter financial call on Wednesday (h/t MMA Fighting). “I think by the time all is said and done with the event and what we pay the fighters and the fan fest that we’re going to have, that could move north.

“We are working to determine, on a parallel track, a package of inventory in and around the weekend of events we can monetize, primarily with corporate partners. (Business to business) players that will offset half of the spend. Even if that $60 (million) goes up or rides up on us, we believe we can offset half of the spend.

“Today, we see as $60 (million), offsetting $30 (million). Now I would mention we have several current and prospective partners that are pursuing multi-year partnerships with TKO assets that likely will be inclusive of the White House event,” he added.

UFC’s predicted White House loss explains Conor McGregor’s potential absence

With the UFC not expecting to come close to any sort of profit on the White House event, it makes sense why the promotion is reportedly looking to save its big gun for another card.

When the celebratory June 14 event was first announced, McGregor called for his UFC comeback to happen in Washington D.C.

While the Irishman has continued to address that possibility, Ariel Helwani reported that a number of factors could leave the UFC favoring his return for an alternative event — one with a live gate and sponsors.

That would allow the UFC to capitalize financially on McGregor’s stardom, which is hard to imagine the organization not doing.

Ronda Rousey’s possible UFC return for the Gina Carano fight collapsed after the Paramount deal started, and she claims that is down to the promotion’s focus on cost-efficient bookings.

If that is the case, don’t expect to see McGregor making the walk outside the White House.