The UFC almost had it's first billionaire in the Octogon.
Vince McMahon is the ultimate showman. He'll court controversy at the drop of a hat in search of the almighty dollar and it's gotten him hundreds of millions in the process, but according to one fight mogul, he was ready to risk his life to put on a show to remember.
Dana White, President of the UFC, recently said in an interview that the WWE CEO challenged him to a fight to take place in the Octagon or the biggest WWE event of the year, Wrestlemania. In an interview with the French-Canadian news outlet RDS, White outlined how the fight almost happened.
"Let me tell you something, and I'll tell you this, I've never said this before ever in any interview anywhere. If Vince hears this, he's going to go nuts. Vince is too old, which he won't think he is, and he'll go crazy. And he wanted to fight one time," said White. "Vince wanted to fight me. Swear to God. Called me up and said, "Let's do it. We can either do it in the UFC, or let's do it at Wrestlemania. And I said "You are crazy."
McMahon wanted to face White at the 2011 Wrestlemania 27 pay-per-view, according to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer. The match would've been part of a double main event that featured John Cena versus John Cena for the WWE Championship.
Of course, Vince is probably used to people calling him crazy. After all, this is the man who has bankrolled the World Bodybuilding Federation, the XFL and two failed political runs by his wife. Taking on a guy 20 years younger in the Octagon is just another day at the office. Of course, it can be argued that taking chances is what made McMahon a billionaire with one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. It's that kind of brilliance that makes White respect him, despite not wanting to trade armbars with him.
"I always have said it, and i'll say it again; I respect Vince very much. But Vince is too old to be fighting anybody," he said.