Hold up, fight fans and investors! TKO Holdings, the combat sports and entertainment juggernaut that brought you the incredible powerhouses of UFC and WWE, just dropped their latest financial bombshell. And let me tell you, dude, it’s straight fire. The company closed out 2025 on an absolute high note, hitting the upper echelons of its full-year financial guidance that was set for Wall Street. This isn’t just meeting expectations; it’s a testament to the combined strength of two entertainment titans.
For the full fiscal year 2025, TKO delivered a mind-blowing revenue of $4.73 billion, coupled with an adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of $1.58 billion. To put it simply, they crushed it. That revenue figure was a notch above the $4.72 billion TKO initially predicted as the max end of their guidance, and the EBITDA number? It landed smack-dab on the top of its range. Talk about being on point! The Q4 Report for UFC and WWE alone pulled in a cool $1 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $281.2 million – a significant bump up from Q4 2024. No cap, these numbers are impressive and show the company is legit.
But wait, there’s more! TKO isn’t just resting on its laurels. The company announced plans to kick off another $1 billion stock buyback program starting this March. This comes hot on the heels of buying back the same amount of shares throughout 2025. Now, for those scratching their heads about what a stock buyback is, it’s essentially when a company repurchases its own shares from the open market. Why do they do it? Well, it can reduce the number of outstanding shares, which often boosts earnings per share and can signal to investors that the company believes its stock is undervalued. It’s a way for companies to return capital to shareholders, showing confidence in their future performance and making those who hold shares feel, well, pretty good.
The story of TKO really began when Endeavor, the parent company of UFC, merged with WWE in September 2023. This wasn’t just some corporate handshake; it was a seismic shift in the sports and entertainment landscape. Combining the raw, authentic intensity of mixed martial arts with the global, theatrical spectacle of professional wrestling created an entertainment behemoth with unparalleled reach and a fan base that’s truly worldwide. For real, this merger was a stroke of genius, consolidating two passionate, dedicated fan bases under one roof.
UFC, under the TKO banner, continues its meteoric rise. It’s not just a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon. Its events consistently sell out arenas, break pay-per-view records, and attract massive media attention. The global demand for UFC content, whether it’s the thrilling knockouts, the intense rivalries, or the larger-than-life personalities, seems insatiable. Their media rights deals are gold, and the sponsorship and merchandise sales are just plain dope. Fans are locked in, and the growth shows no signs of slowing down. Just ask anyone who’s ever seen a McGregor or Jones fight live – the energy is electric.
And then there’s WWE. The undisputed king of sports entertainment, with a legacy spanning decades. From the iconic WrestleMania events that draw hundreds of thousands, to weekly shows like Raw and SmackDown that command millions of viewers, WWE is a global entertainment powerhouse. They’ve mastered the art of storytelling, creating characters and narratives that resonate across generations. With talent like Roman Reigns at the top of his game and legends like The Rock making electrifying returns, WWE is still delivering legit, high-quality entertainment that keeps the masses engaged. The synergy with UFC under TKO just amplifies their marketing reach and production capabilities, making their shows even more spectacular.
Ariel Emanuel, TKO’s executive chair and CEO, totally hit the nail on the head when he said, “TKO’s 2025 results reflect meaningful momentum across both UFC and WWE.” He added, “Having concluded our second full year since forming TKO, we are extremely well positioned with long-term media rights agreements in place and operational strength across the business.” This isn’t just corporate speak; it’s a clear signal that the company’s strategy is paying off big time. Their focus on leveraging global partnerships and solidifying long-term media deals means stability and growth are highkey on the agenda.
Part of TKO’s strategic brilliance is also seen in its expansion into new ventures. Heads up, boxing fans! The company is throwing its hat into the “sweet science” with Zuffa Boxing. This move is a smart play, diversifying their combat sports portfolio and tapping into another massive global market. Zuffa Boxing, which launched last month, aims to bring the same high-level production, fighter promotion, and fan engagement that made UFC a household name to the world of professional boxing. Mark Shapiro, President and COO of TKO, articulated this vision perfectly, stating that this expansion “sets the table for even further long term value creation.” It’s an opportunity to capture a new segment of the combat sports audience and solidify TKO’s dominance.
It’s also worth noting the significant role played by TKO’s controlling shareholders, Silver Lake and Endeavor, who together hold over 60% of TKO shares. Their commitment and long-term vision are clearly driving these strategic decisions, including the substantial share buyback programs. This kind of investment from controlling parties often signals strong belief in the company’s future trajectory and its ability to deliver sustained value for all shareholders. When the big players are this invested, it tends to instill confidence across the board.
Looking ahead, TKO is shaping up to be a true force to be reckoned with. With growing revenue, expanding margins, and an increasingly global fan base across both UFC and WWE, combined with savvy moves like Zuffa Boxing, the company is proving to be a high-quality execution story with multiple avenues for outperformance. The future looks bright, packed with thrilling events, massive media deals, and plenty of opportunities for growth. For sure, TKO is lowkey dominating the entertainment scene.
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