With the purchase of the UFC by WME-IMG and the exit of CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, there was a suspicion that UFC president Dana White, who will remain behind, might serve only a figurehead, with powerful men in suits calling the shots.

However, in a recent interview withKLAS in Las Vegas, White said that he will necessarily be more involved in the day-to-day operations, without his long-time partner to share the burden. 

Back in 2010 White famously said “One thing I’m guaranteed every morning when I wake up in the morning is that bad shit is going to happen?.” Now it will all stack on one head, rather than two.

“I’m stepping forward, I’m not stepping back,” said White as transcribed by Damon Martin for FOX Sports. “With Lorenzo leaving, it’s a lot more work for me.

“Lorenzo and I used to divide and conquer. With him gone, I’m going to have to pick up a lot of the stuff he used to do.”

“The biggest deal in the history of sports and the most valuable sports franchise on Earth. They’re handing it over to a company that we all believe will take this thing to the next level.”

“As far as the sport, the brand and the athletes — it’s gonna be big. It’s gonna be big for everybody.”