“We weren’t making money,” UFC legend credits Dana White and Fertitta brothers for rising above the early financial struggles

On Bradley Martyn's podcast, Chuck Liddell discusses the UFC's financial growth under Dana White and the Fertittas, revealing his substantial earnings and the sport's lucrative transformation.

“We weren’t making money,” UFC legend credits Dana White and Fertitta brothers for rising above the early financial struggles

Dana White and the Fertitta brothers (Image via: X)

Chuck Liddell is one of the legends of the UFC. He is one of the reasons for making MMA popular in mainstream media. Liddell was the light heavyweight champion of the UFC, where he defended the title 4 times. In a recent interview, Liddell had things to say about Dana White and the Fertitta brothers, Frank and Lorenzo.

Liddell was a recent guest on Bradley Martyn’s podcast, Raw Talk. On the podcast, Liddel talked about the early history of the UFC. This is what he said.

Before him (Dana White), and Lorenzo(Fertitta) took over the UFC, um, a homerun was making 150 grand a year. I mean, think about it, it wasn't much money they were making. They're the ones that got us to the point where we're making real money, and you know, I got paid a lot, a lot more than people think, a lot more.
Chuck Liddell via Raw Talk podcast
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When Liddell began his MMA career, there was no money in it. Liddell believed it was under Dana White and the Fertitta brothers that fighters began to make good money. Moreover, Liddell disclosed that he made much more money than the disclosed pay.

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Liddell is a UFC Hall of Famer. He was a 2009 inductee in the pioneer wing of the UFC. Moreover, his ten knockout victories in the UFC’s light heavyweight division still remain a record. Furthermore, he had a 7-fight finish streak in the UFC. It is the second-longest finish streak in the UFC, behind Anderson Silva. Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveria also had a 7-fight finish streak.

UFC legend explains working with UFC CEO Dana White

UFC legend Chuck Liddell only had great things to say about UFC CEO Dana White on Bradley Martyn’s podcast, Raw Talk. On the podcast, Martyn asked Liddell to explain working under Dana White.

Dana White and Chuck Liddell
Dana White and Chuck Liddell (Image via X)

Liddell liked fighting in the UFC with Dana White at the helm. This is what he said about it.

I enjoyed it. It worked out good for me. Yeah, you know, it worked out great. I mean, a lot of people, you know, attack him in a lot of ways, but I mean, you know, Dana, he always told me what he thought. We didn't always agree on everything, but he always said what he thought. He always, you know, you know, he's always been my friend.
Chuck Liddell on Dana White

Liddell said that even though he and White disagreed, the UFC boss was honest and truthful to him. Moreover, irrespective of the public perception of White, Liddell always saw White as a close friend.

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