Vince McMahon is a unique character and someone who, despite being part of the pro wrestling world, appears to hate real violence. While he's been willing to enlist boxers over the years, he really doesn't seem to rate MMA or, more specifically, UFC.
We'd guess the reason for that is the fact it's more of a rival to WWE. After all, why watch people "pretend" to fight when you can see them step into the cage and do it for real?
As a result, VInce has never shied away from making his disdain for the UFC known, something that's changed now WWE has been acquired by the MMA giant's parent company, Endeavor. These days, WWE and UFC are both part of one brand, TKO Holdings.
Perhaps that explains why UFC President Dana White has also changed his tune about Vince (someone he's never had much love for).
Talking to Sports Illustrated, he explained, "My history with Vince isn’t a good one. He tried to f*ck me so many times for no reason whatsoever except just to f*ck me. But that’s in the past. Now that Vince and I are allies, no one’s been a better partner than Vince."
"Since day one of the deal, it’s like I’m dealing with a different guy. It goes to show that when you oppose him, or he thinks you are opposing him, the guy comes after you blindly. Once you are aligned, Vince is an incredible partner."
"We’ve probably spoken on the phone 20 times since the deal," White noted. "It’s all added value, conversation with Vince doing work and raising the bar for both companies."
Adding that he's always had a good relationship with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, White went on to say he's proud to now call Vince an ally.
"Vince McMahon, man, he’s an absolute savage. Even with the stuff that went down with us in the past, I respect it. I love killers. He’s definitely a killer. He’s the Michael Jordan of the business world."
Previously, White has scoffed at the idea of there being a crossover in terms of the WWE and UFC's respective fanbases, so we'd bet he's not on board with the idea of actual crossovers (with wrestlers stepping into the Octagon and fighters entering the squared circle).
Thus far, both companies have been kept separate, though we have to believe there's a chance that will change down the line.