Through the summer season of 2016, the UFC underwent a major change when WME-IMG acquired it. Whereas quite a few executives departed the group throughout this transition, Dana White notably selected to stay.
As the acquisition neared its finalization, Endeavor organized a gathering with all their shoppers, permitting them to accumulate a stake within the UFC. In a latest interview with Complicated, Dana White recounted the intriguing story of Kobe Bryant’s involvement with the UFC.
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Dana White Calls Kobe Bryant A Good friend
In keeping with White, the enduring former Lakers star was current on the assembly the place shoppers had the prospect to put money into the corporate. Displaying his entrepreneurial spirit, Bryant opted to accumulate a share of the UFC and maintained an in depth reference to the UFC president. The next 12 months, White and Bryant appeared on the firm’s press convention, unveiling their collaboration with Physique Armor, additional solidifying their partnership.
Regardless of their skilled affiliation, Dana White extremely regarded Kobe Bryant as a private pal. Through the interview, White expressed admiration for Bryant’s friendship and highlighted the basketball legend’s enthusiasm when he grew to become a part of the UFC household in the summertime of 2016.
UFC president talks Kobe Bryant’s involvement within the UFC
Dana White fondly spoke of his private reference to Kobe Bryant, emphasizing their friendship. White revealed that Bryant had made an funding within the UFC when Endeavor acquired the corporate, permitting their shoppers to take part. The UFC president admired Bryant for his distinctive athletic prowess, likening him to Michael Jordan when it comes to mentality, and his outstanding character as a genuinely unimaginable human being.
“I knew him personally, he and I have been pals,” Dana White stated about Kobe Bryant. “He really invested within the UFC. When Endeavor purchased, they let all their shoppers are available and take a bit, he took a bit. Not solely was he like [Michael] Jordan with the identical mentality which I really like and respect a lot. However, he was an unimaginable human being.”
“He was such a great man, I’ll always remember the place I used to be when Kobe died. Proper when all of the celebs have been about to money out on their UFC factor, it was like days earlier than he handed away. He was tremendous pumped in regards to the funding, and I really like Kobe,” he added.
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