TKO Executive Explains Why UFC Rejected Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Fight

TLDR

TKO executive Mark Shapiro explained that UFC rejected the Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano fight that aired on Netflix because officials felt it leaned too heavily into spectacle rather than representing serious MMA competition. Shapiro said UFC executives Dana White and Hunter Campbell predicted the fight would be over in 20 seconds and worried that Netflix's massive global audience might get the wrong impression about what MMA actually is. During the same conference, Shapiro also discussed WWE business, praising ESPN's promotion and hinting at expanded opportunities for NXT talent.