UFC completes sale to WME-IMG

The transfer of control of UFC is now official as Lorenzo Fertitta, who along with Dana White took the company from near extinction to being worth $4 billion on the open market, had his final day at the office on Wednesday..

Fertitta said goodbye to the staff, including fielding jokes about getting the Raiders tickets, since it's long been rumored part of the reason Fertitta was selling had to do with a bid to bring the Raiders to Las Vegas and land owned by the family has been talked about for a potential stadium site.

Fighters received an e-mail on Friday confirming the change in ownership on WME-IMG stationary.

The letter read:

"Our team's been honored to represent UFC and work with a number of you on the entertainment side for the past few years. We've had a front row seat as both a partner and as a fan to witness your dedication to this sport and UFC's remarkable work in growing MMA's popularity and elevating the organization on a global scale.

We couldn't be more excited for what the future holds for UFC and for all of you. As UFC's new operating partner, we will be working with Dana and the UFC team to amplify the work that's already been done by mobilizing all of the sports and entertainment assets we have available to us in our international network.

We look forward to working with you and welcome any ideas and feedback as we begin this new chapter together.

Ari Emmanuel & Patrick Whitesell, Co-CEOs, WME/IMG.

UFC 202 will be the first show under the full control of the new ownership.