IPL Founder Takes Cheeky Dig at Dana White, Wants to Create a Rival MMA League

Lalit Modi even urged global sporting leagues to emulate the IPL's model to replicate its massive commercial and popular success.

IPL Founder Takes Cheeky Dig at Dana White, Wants to Create a Rival MMA League

IPL founder Lalit Modi wants to create a new MMA league, against Dana White's UFC. (via People)

Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi, aiming for a new venture, revealed that he plans to create a new MMA league in order to disrupt the world of combat sports. It would position him in direct rivalry with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White. 

Much of UFC’s success could be attributed to Dana White, an American businessman, who took over the promotion in 2001 when it was on the brink of bankruptcy. White, who had served as a manager for several fighters, urged his childhood friends, the brothers Lorenzo Fertitta and Frank Fertitta, to invest in the promotional company before he successfully transformed it into the $12 billion global brand it is today.

UFC’s operational model is distinct from other major sporting leagues in the United States. What makes it a promotion and not a league is its focus on individual fighters, not teams, with UFC CEO Dana White arranging matchups for more entertainment. While this unique setting has brought success, former BCCI vice-president Lalit Modi believes that an evolution in mixed martial arts is about to come in the future.

In a recent interaction with former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan on The Overlap Cricket podcast, Modi opened up about his plan to establish a new global MMA league. The 62-year-old did make some provocative statements on the podcast, including predictions on the future of the India-Pakistan cricket rivalry and dismissing cricket leagues like the Hundred and MLC. Later on, Lalit Modi was questioned by Vaughan about another sports league outside cricket that he wished to own. 

Elaborating on his proposed MMA league, Modi shared that he has envisioned a city-based, franchise format for his new venture, with fighters from around the world challenging for the title. Michael Vaughan interrupted by suggesting that Dana White’s UFC is the biggest player, to which the former IPL chairman wittily suggested that ‘he does not know how to do it’.

Modi also argued that fighting is the world’s ‘oldest sport’ and that the current US-centric MMA structure is significantly undervalued. He said on The Overlap Cricket podcast:

I would create a global MMA… I think America [UFC] does not know how to do it. It should be intercity. It should be inter-cities. It is worldwide. He [Dana White] does not know how to do it.

Modi’s vision is to create an MMA league, which he claimed might even surpass the UFC’s popularity once launched. Further into the podcast, Modi also talked about his flashy lifestyle, revealing that his family owns a total of 32 Ferraris.

Gautam Gambhir ‘unhappy’ with BCCI scheduling, demands longer break post-IPL

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir is reportedly concerned with the busy schedule the BCCI has planned for the men’s team for the remainder of the year. He has objected to the scheduling of India’s home series against Afghanistan, immediately after the IPL. 

Gautam Gambhir on break after IPL
Gautam Gambhir is reportedly unhappy with the BCCI’s scheduling after IPL 2026. (via India Today)

The ongoing 2026 IPL season comes to an end on May 31, wrapping up a grueling two-month schedule for the cricketers. Days later, the Men in Blue are expected to host Afghanistan in an all-format series, beginning June 6. There is surprisingly only a five-day break between the IPL final and the one-off Test match between India and Afghanistan, which will be played at the New PCA Stadium in Mullanpur.

A TOI report suggested that Gambhir has objected to this compressed scheduling, while arguing that it will be far less than ideal for the players as well as their physical and mental well-being. The reports also stated that the selectors are mulling over the idea of resting most of the top Indian players for the Test match, in order to keep them fit for the ODIs as well as the subsequent tour to England.

Thereafter, domestic performers might earn a national team call-up, including Harsh Dubey, Auqib Nabi Dar, Gurnoor Brar, and Devdutt Padikkal. Additionally, players who have not played Test cricket for a while, like Sarfaraz Khan and Shreyas Iyer, could also be given a chance.

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