In the ever-evolving spectacle of sports entertainment, it's rare to find an opportunity that stands out as a "huge mistake" when missed. But that's precisely the way the iconic Hulk Hogan describes a missed chance he and Vince McMahon had to buy the UFC years ago.
Hulk Hogan and Vince McMahon have been synonymous with the world of wrestling since the heyday of Hulkamania in the 1980s. Their alliance, often punctuated by periods of both on-screen and off-screen estrangement, has been as entertaining as it has been profitable. Notably, their relationship took a hit in the 1990s because of the steroid trial controversy and the Hulkster's jump to WCW. Despite the rift, the pair reconciled, with Hogan making a triumphant return to the WWE ring in 2002, even enjoying another run as the Undisputed WWE Champion.
Amidst their shared legacy of highs and lows, one regret appears to sting more than most, especially Hogan.
In an appearance on the 'This Past Weekend' podcast, Hogan confessed, "There was an opportunity to buy UFC a long time ago, and Vince and I passed on it." He explained that the excessively violent nature of the then-nascent promotion, where the rules were far less stringent, was off-putting. Yet in hindsight, both Hogan and McMahon acknowledge that this was a colossal oversight.
