Lorenzo & Frank Fertitta III

The Fertitta brothers’ sporting involvement grew from a Las Vegas family immersed in casino operations and championship boxing. Lorenzo served on the Nevada Athletic Commission before the brothers acquired the UFC in January 2001 with Dana White as their operating partner.

Under that ownership the UFC expanded into a major international event and media business. The brothers sold control in 2016 and had fully divested by 2017. They should therefore be identified as former UFC owners, not as its present owners.

The family’s local sports footprint also includes support for UNLV’s Frank and Vicki Fertitta Tennis Complex and Bishop Gorman’s football facilities. Their story connects the resort economy, private investment, collegiate and school sport, and the growth of mixed martial arts.