TKO Group Holdings
TKO Group Holdings is a U.S. sports and entertainment company whose principal operating brands include UFC and WWE.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
TKO Group Holdings, Inc. is an American sports and entertainment company formed on September 12, 2023 through the combination of Endeavor subsidiary Zuffa, the parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and World Wrestling Entertainment. The transaction created a publicly traded sports-entertainment platform while leaving UFC and WWE as distinct operating divisions. TKO trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol TKO. The company's origins lie in two different combat-sports businesses. UFC began in 1993 as an experimental competition intended to compare different martial arts. Under Zuffa, which acquired the promotion in 2001, UFC developed into a globally distributed mixed martial arts organization. Zuffa expanded the UFC business through international promotion, media rights, live events, sponsorships, digital products, and acquisitions or integrations involving other MMA properties. Endeavor acquired a controlling interest in Zuffa in 2016 and bought out the remaining owners in 2021. WWE traces its history to the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, founded in 1953 and associated with the McMahon family. The business evolved from a regional wrestling promoter into a worldwide entertainment company through national expansion, television, pay-per-view, merchandising, touring events, and branded franchises such as WrestleMania and Monday Night Raw. It became a public company in 1999 and acquired assets of World Championship Wrestling in 2001. WWE was historically controlled by the McMahon family, but the TKO transaction substantially reduced that family's control. At formation, Endeavor held 51 percent of TKO and WWE shareholders held 49 percent. Endeavor chief executive Ari Emanuel became TKO's chief executive officer, while Mark Shapiro became president and chief operating officer. Dana White continued as UFC chief executive, Nick Khan continued to lead WWE, and Paul Levesque remained in charge of WWE's creative operations. This structure was designed to combine corporate resources and commercial capabilities while preserving the separate identities and operating models of UFC and WWE. TKO's business covers live sports and entertainment events, media and streaming rights, sponsorships, licensing, hospitality, athlete and talent-related activities, and other services supporting sports properties. In 2024 it invested in EverPass Media, a distributor of streaming pay-television content to commercial venues. In 2025 it completed an all-stock acquisition from Endeavor involving Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and selected IMG assets, broadening its exposure beyond combat sports and professional wrestling. The company has also pursued new properties. TKO announced a boxing venture with Saudi entertainment interests and later identified the promotion as Zuffa Boxing. Through WWE, it announced a proposed controlling investment in Mexican promotion Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, subject to closing and transaction conditions described at the time. TKO also announced UFC BJJ, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu live-event series operated as a UFC sister business. These initiatives reflect a strategy of building a portfolio of owned or controlled sports properties and connecting them through media, sponsorship, event operations, hospitality, and international distribution. TKO has also faced governance and reputational challenges. Vince McMahon, who served as the company's executive chairman after the merger, resigned in January 2024 after allegations contained in a lawsuit filed by Janel Grant involving alleged sexual misconduct and trafficking. McMahon denied the allegations in a statement accompanying his resignation. The matter involved WWE and TKO because of McMahon's position and WWE's ownership structure, and federal authorities reportedly subpoenaed McMahon in connection with the allegations. The case and related investigations became a significant issue for TKO's corporate governance and reputation. TKO's positioni…
History
TKO Group Holdings was established on September 12, 2023, when Endeavor, UFC, and WWE completed a transaction combining Endeavor's Zuffa business with World Wrestling Entertainment. The transaction brought together two major combat-sports and sports-entertainment properties under a new public company, while UFC and WWE retained separate brands, management structures, creative processes, and event calendars. The UFC side of the business developed from an experimental martial-arts competition first staged in 1993. Early UFC events were designed to compare different fighting disciplines under limited rules. Over time, the promotion adopted weight classes, safety requirements, judging standards, and a broader unified rules framework. Fighters increasingly trained across disciplines, helping establish modern mixed martial arts as a distinct sport. Zuffa acquired UFC in 2001 and oversaw a period of rapid expansion. It later acquired or integrated assets connected with Pride Fighting Championships and Strikeforce. Endeavor acquired a controlling interest in Zuffa in 2016 and completed a buyout of other Zuffa owners in 2021. WWE's lineage reaches back to Capitol Wrestling Corporation, founded in 1953 as part of the regional wrestling system associated with the National Wrestling Alliance. The company became the World Wide Wrestling Federation in 1963, later shortened its name to the World Wrestling Federation, and eventually adopted the WWE identity after a legal dispute with the World Wildlife Fund. Vincent K. McMahon and Linda McMahon's Titan Sports acquired the Capitol Wrestling holding company in 1982. Vince McMahon then expanded the promotion nationally and internationally, challenging the territory model that had previously shaped North American professional wrestling. WWE's growth was driven by television, touring, pay-per-view, merchandising, and event franchises. WrestleMania debuted in 1985 and became the company's central annual event. Monday Night Raw began in 1993 as a weekly television program. WWE became publicly traded in 1999 and acquired assets of World Championship Wrestling in 2001 after the decline of the Monday Night War. For decades, the McMahon family retained substantial economic and voting control, with Vince McMahon serving as the central owner, executive, and creative authority. WWE's possible sale became a major corporate issue in 2022 and 2023. Vince McMahon temporarily stepped down from WWE leadership in 2022 amid allegations of misconduct, while Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan shared leadership. McMahon returned as executive chairman in January 2023 as the company considered strategic alternatives and negotiated future media rights. Potential buyers reportedly included major media, technology, entertainment, and investment groups. Endeavor ultimately emerged as the transaction partner. Under the formation agreement, Endeavor owned 51 percent of TKO and WWE shareholders owned 49 percent. Ari Emanuel became TKO's chief executive officer and Mark Shapiro became president and chief operating officer. Dana White continued as UFC chief executive, Nick Khan became WWE president, and Paul Levesque remained responsible for WWE creative operations. The combination marked the first time that WWE was no longer primarily controlled by the McMahon family. TKO subsequently broadened its scope beyond UFC and WWE. In 2024 it invested in EverPass Media, which distributes streaming pay-television programming to commercial venues. TKO also announced a planned all-stock acquisition of several businesses from Endeavor, including Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and selected IMG assets. The transaction was reported as completed in February 2025, giving TKO direct exposure to a wider range of sports properties, hospitality operations, and event-management capabilities. In 2025, the company announced additional expansion initiatives. A partnership with Turki Al-Sheikh and Sela was created to establish a boxing promotion later named Zuffa Boxing. Through WWE, TKO also announced a proposed controlling interest in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide in partnership with Fillip. UFC announced UFC BJJ as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu live-event series. These moves illustrate TKO's stated interest in owning or operating sports properties and in using shared capabilities in media, sponsorship, live production, hospitality, and international distribution. Corporate governance and reputation became significant issues after Janel Grant filed a lawsuit in January 2024 naming WWE and TKO in connection with allegations against Vince McMahon and others. Grant alleged coercive sexual conduct, sexual assault, and trafficking, as well as a disputed confidentiality-payment arrangement. McMahon resigned as TKO executive chairman shortly afterward and said he was acting out of respect for the company, its stakeholders, and its board. The allegations were disputed, and the matter was reported to have received federal attention. It remains an important part of the company's recent governance history.
- 2025
TKO expands into additional sports assets
[1]TKO completes the reported acquisition of Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and selected IMG assets from Endeavor.
- 2024
Vince McMahon resigns from TKO
[1]McMahon leaves his executive-chairman role following the filing of a lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct and trafficking.
- 2023
TKO Group Holdings is formed
[1]The UFC-WWE combination closes and TKO begins trading under the ticker TKO.
- 2016
Endeavor acquires controlling interest in UFC
[1]Endeavor, then operating as WME-IMG, leads the acquisition of Zuffa and UFC.
- 2001
Zuffa acquires UFC
[1]Zuffa purchases UFC from Semaphore Entertainment Group and begins a major commercial expansion.
- 2001
WWE acquires World Championship Wrestling assets
[1]The acquisition strengthens WWE's position after the Monday Night War.
- 1999
WWE becomes publicly traded
[1]The wrestling company completes an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange.
- 1993
UFC holds its first event
[1]UFC 1 takes place in Denver as a contest intended to compare different martial arts.
- 1993
Monday Night Raw launches
[1]WWE introduces its long-running weekly live episodic television program.
- 1985
WrestleMania debuts
[1]The first WrestleMania establishes WWE's signature event franchise.
Products and positioning
A global sports and entertainment platform combining combat sports, professional wrestling, live events, media rights, hospitality, and sports-property ownership.
Mixed martial arts promotion · 1993
Ultimate Fighting Championship
UFC is TKO's mixed martial arts promotion and one of its principal operating divisions. It organizes live fight cards, distributes media content, sells sponsorship and licensing rights, and develops international markets around athlete-driven events. The UFC brand is built around regulated MMA competition, recurring event franchises, broadcast and streaming agreements, and a global roster of fighters.
Professional wrestling and sports entertainment · 1953
World Wrestling Entertainment
WWE is TKO's professional wrestling and sports-entertainment division. Its activities include scripted wrestling programs, touring events, pay-per-view and premium live events, media rights, merchandising, licensing, and international partnerships. Major WWE franchises include WrestleMania and Monday Night Raw. WWE continues to operate as a distinct brand within TKO.
Bull-riding sports property · 1992
Professional Bull Riders
Professional Bull Riders is a competitive bull-riding property acquired through TKO's 2025 transaction involving selected Endeavor businesses. It adds a non-combat-sports league and event franchise to TKO's portfolio and provides opportunities across live events, media rights, sponsorship, licensing, and fan engagement.
Sports hospitality
On Location
On Location is a premium hospitality and experiences business focused on major sporting events. Its inclusion in TKO's expanded portfolio gives the company an operating presence in high-end ticketing, hospitality packages, guest experiences, and event-related commercial services.
Boxing promotion · 2025
Zuffa Boxing
Zuffa Boxing is the announced boxing promotion being developed by TKO with Turki Al-Sheikh and Sela. The venture extends TKO's combat-sports strategy into professional boxing and is intended to use the group's experience in event promotion, media distribution, sponsorship, and fighter-centered sports entertainment.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu event series · 2025
UFC BJJ
UFC BJJ is a UFC sister business centered on submission grappling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu live events. The concept extends the UFC brand architecture into an adjacent combat sport while retaining an emphasis on competitive athletes, event presentation, media distribution, and recurring live programming.
Controversies
2024
Janel Grant lawsuit and Vince McMahon resignation
Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, filed a lawsuit naming WWE and TKO in connection with allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and trafficking involving Vince McMahon and others. McMahon resigned as TKO executive chairman shortly afterward. The allegations were disputed, and the matter was reported to have drawn federal scrutiny.
Marketing campaigns
- 2025TKO Takeover
United States
TKO staged a sequence of Professional Bull Riders, UFC, and WWE events in Kansas City under the TKO Takeover banner. The programming presented the company's expanding portfolio as a connected sports-entertainment ecosystem.
Outcome. The event series provided a public showcase for the integration of the newly expanded TKO portfolio.
Brand decisions
2025
Develop Zuffa BoxingProduct launchBackground
TKO aimed to extend its combat-sports promotion capabilities into professional boxing through a partnership with Saudi entertainment interests.
Action taken
TKO partnered with Turki Al-Sheikh and Sela to establish a boxing promotion later named Zuffa Boxing.
Aftermath
The initiative created a new announced combat-sports property alongside UFC and UFC BJJ.
2025
Launch UFC BJJProduct launchBackground
UFC pursued an adjacent combat-sports format based on Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission grappling.
Action taken
UFC announced UFC BJJ as a sister company and live-event series.
Aftermath
The launch expanded TKO's combat-sports portfolio beyond MMA competition.
2024
Invest in EverPass MediaStrategyBackground
TKO sought exposure to the distribution of streaming pay-television content in commercial venues.
Action taken
TKO announced an investment in EverPass Media, and Mark Shapiro joined its board.
Aftermath
The investment extended TKO's interests beyond direct event promotion into sports-content distribution for businesses.
2024
Acquire selected Endeavor sports and entertainment assetsM&ABackground
Endeavor's planned transaction with Silver Lake required the divestment of selected assets. TKO identified value in businesses that could expand its sports ecosystem and provide ownership or operating capabilities outside UFC and WWE.
Action taken
TKO agreed to acquire Professional Bull Riders, On Location, and selected IMG assets in an all-stock transaction.
Aftermath
The transaction was reported as completed on February 28, 2025, broadening TKO's portfolio into bull riding, premium hospitality, and sports management.
Transaction value. $3.25 billion (Announced October 2024)
2023
Combine UFC and WWE under a new public companyM&ABackground
Endeavor sought to combine its UFC business with WWE to create a scaled sports and entertainment platform while preserving the two properties as separate operating divisions.
Action taken
TKO Group Holdings was created, with Endeavor holding 51 percent at closing and WWE shareholders holding 49 percent. Ari Emanuel became CEO and Mark Shapiro became president and chief operating officer.
Aftermath
UFC and WWE continued operating under their established brands, while TKO became the listed corporate parent.
Implied WWE transaction valuation. $9.3 billion (At the September 2023 merger closing)
Sources1 sources
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