Lorenzo Fertitta is a successful entrepreneur, investor, and sports executive who is best known for his role as the former CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a leading global mixed martial arts organization. Born on January 3, 1969, in Las Vegas, Nevada, Fertitta grew up in a family of entrepreneurs, as his father owned a casino and his brother Frank Fertitta III also became a successful businessman.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of San Diego and a law degree from the Villanova University School of Law, Fertitta returned to Las Vegas to work for the family business, Station Casinos, where he eventually rose to become the president of the company.
In 2001, Fertitta and his brother Frank, along with their business partner Dana White, purchased the UFC for $2 million. Over the next decade, Fertitta oversaw the growth of the UFC into a global phenomenon, expanding the organization’s reach through international events and strategic partnerships.
Under Fertitta’s leadership, the UFC became a multi-billion dollar business, with a reported net worth of $7 billion at the time of its sale to WME-IMG in 2016. Fertitta reportedly made hundreds of millions of dollars from the sale, and he continues to be involved in the sport as an investor in other MMA organizations.
In addition to his work in the MMA industry, Fertitta has also been involved in various other business ventures, including the casino industry and the hospitality industry. He has also been an active philanthropist, supporting causes such as education, health care, and the arts.
According to Forbes, Fertitta’s net worth as of 2021 is approximately $1.1 billion. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful entrepreneurs and executives in the sports industry, and his contributions to the growth of the UFC have been instrumental in making MMA one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the world.
Here’s a timeline of the life and career of Lorenzo Fertitta:
- January 3, 1969: Lorenzo Fertitta is born in Las Vegas, Nevada.
- 1991: Fertitta earns a Bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of San Diego.
- 1993: Fertitta graduates from the Villanova University School of Law and begins practicing law in New York City.
- 1996: Fertitta returns to Las Vegas to work for his family’s casino business, Station Casinos.
- 2000: Fertitta becomes president of Station Casinos.
- 2001: Fertitta and his brother Frank, along with their business partner Dana White, purchase the UFC for $2 million.
- 2005: Fertitta leads the UFC’s acquisition of rival organization Pride Fighting Championships.
- 2011: Fertitta oversees the UFC’s broadcast partnership with Fox Sports, which includes a seven-year, $700 million deal.
- 2016: Fertitta and his partners sell the UFC to WME-IMG for a reported $4 billion.
- 2017: Fertitta becomes a strategic advisor to Red Rock Resorts, the parent company of Station Casinos.
- 2019: Fertitta invests in the cannabis industry through his venture capital firm, Fertitta Capital.
- 2021: Forbes estimates Fertitta’s net worth at $1.1 billion.
Throughout his career, Fertitta has been a successful entrepreneur and executive, with a track record of turning businesses into lucrative ventures. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the sports industry, thanks to his leadership of the UFC and his involvement in various other business ventures.
Here are 5 interesting facts about Lorenzo Fertitta:
- Lorenzo Fertitta was a high school wrestler and a football player.
- In addition to his role as CEO of the UFC, Fertitta is also the chairman of the board for Station Casinos.
- Fertitta has a passion for wine and has invested in several wineries, including the famous Screaming Eagle winery in Napa Valley.
- Fertitta is a member of the Nevada Athletic Commission, which regulates combat sports in the state of Nevada.
- Fertitta was inducted into the Nevada Business Hall of Fame in 2016.
And here are 5 quotes from Lorenzo Fertitta:
- “I’m not afraid to take risks. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you always learn something.”
- “I’ve always been a believer in working hard and taking calculated risks.”
- “You have to be able to adapt and evolve to stay relevant in any industry.”
- “I’m a big believer in the power of teams. If you surround yourself with the right people, you can achieve anything.”
- “I’ve always been a big believer in the American Dream. I think that if you work hard and you’re dedicated, you can achieve anything you want.”
