All articles tagged with #tko
Steve Garcia won his first UFC main event with a first-round TKO over David Onama and called out Max Holloway for a BMF title fight, continuing his winning streak and seeking higher competition.
TKO announced a $1 billion share repurchase program, including an $800 million accelerated buyback agreement with Morgan Stanley, boosting its stock price to record levels and reflecting confidence in its long-term value.
TKO plans to repurchase $1 billion of its own stock through an accelerated share repurchase agreement and open market purchases, funded by a $1 billion first lien term loan, reflecting confidence in its business and a commitment to shareholder value, alongside an increased quarterly dividend.
Molly McCann, a former UFC fighter, made her professional boxing debut in Belfast, winning by TKO in the sixth round after a bizarre incident where she was kicked in the body by her opponent. The fight showcased her impressive skills and footwork, and she was supported by her familial link to boxing star Katie Taylor.
Derrick Lewis, at 40, demonstrated his continued relevance in the heavyweight division with a controversial 35-second TKO victory over Tallison Teixeira at UFC on ESPN 70, extending his knockout record and earning reactions from the MMA community.
Hamzah Sheeraz delivered a dominant performance, knocking out Edgar Berlanga in the fifth round of their boxing match at Ring Magazine 3, after dropping him twice in a one-sided fight in New York.
Hamzah Sheeraz scored a fifth-round TKO over Edgar Berlanga in New York, with the win positioning him for a potential fight against Canelo Alvarez, should Alvarez defeat Terence Crawford. Sheeraz, who moved up to super middleweight, expressed his admiration for Canelo and his desire to fight him, aiming for a knockout rather than a points decision.
The US government has reinstated a travel ban affecting several countries, prompting TKO, the parent company of WWE and UFC, to review its visa sponsorships and staff travel plans, with potential impacts on international athletes and staff. The ban allows visa holders to travel but may cause difficulties at entry, and TKO is working to minimize disruptions for its global workforce.
TKO COO Mark Shapiro recently met with former WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon, emphasizing that McMahon is no longer involved in TKO or WWE's management. Shapiro downplayed the legal issues McMahon faces, describing them as "litigation he's working through." Despite McMahon's reduced role, he remains a shareholder and approves of WWE's current direction. Shapiro's comments reflect a shift in tone, possibly due to a more favorable political climate and the resolution of previous concerns about McMahon's impact on WWE's business relationships.
Zhilei Zhang achieved a significant victory by defeating Deontay Wilder with a 5th-round TKO in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, potentially ending Wilder's career. Zhang, who outweighed Wilder by over 68 pounds, used his size and southpaw stance to dominate the fight, culminating in a decisive counter right hook. This win marks a major comeback for Zhang, who is now eyeing the heavyweight championship currently held by Oleksandr Usyk.
Zhilei Zhang defeated former WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder with a fifth-round TKO, keeping himself in contention for a future title shot. Wilder, who has now lost two consecutive fights, struggled to deliver his signature power punches. The fight was part of a card that saw Queensbury Boxing sweep Matchroom Boxing 10-0.
Alex Pereira defended his UFC light heavyweight title with a first-round TKO win over Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, showcasing his superior striking and one-punch power. This victory marks his second successful title defense and brings stability to the division, which has seen five different champions since Jon Jones vacated the belt in 2020. Pereira, eyeing a quick turnaround, expressed interest in defending his title at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, pending no injuries from this fight.
TKO and Endeavor are set to purchase shares from former WWE chairman Vince McMahon, with Endeavor buying 1,642,970 shares for $146.2 million and TKO buying an additional 1,853,724 for about $165 million, totaling approximately $293 million. After the transactions close, Vince will have 8,021,405 remaining TKO shares, reducing his ownership to about 4.7% of TKO.
Endeavor, the talent agency that owns the UFC, is being acquired by private equity firm Silver Lake to go private after being publicly traded for three years. Silver Lake, already a major shareholder, will acquire 100% of the outstanding shares for $27.50 per share in cash. The deal does not affect TKO Group Holdings, the merged company with UFC and WWE, which remains publicly traded. The combined value of Endeavor and TKO is estimated at $25 billion, and the transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2025.
TKO, the parent company of UFC, has agreed to pay $335 million to settle a class action lawsuit over wage suppression, just weeks before a trial was set to begin. The lawsuit alleged that UFC used long-term contracts to delay or prevent free agency by fighters and coerced them into deals that limited their earning potential. The settlement comes after the lawsuit was granted class action status and the U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada denied UFC's motion for summary judgment.