'Don't add UFC fighters in WWE' - Fans express huge concern after Endeavor buys majority stake in WWE

WWE and MMA fans have expressed their concerns following the news that UFC's parent company Endeavor has purchased a majority stake in the professional wrestling company.

Endeavor today announced that a deal has been agreed upon for them to purchase a 51% controlling stake in the WWE. The remaining 49% continues in the hands of investors and stakeholders.

Ari Emanuel, the CEO of Endeavor, has laid out plans to merge the two companies together to create a global sports entity. The current valuation of the new company is over $21 billion after combining the value of both the MMA organization and the WWE.

Endeavor announced on Twitter:

"Today, @Endeavor announced it has signed an agreement to form a $21+ billion global live sports and entertainment company made up of @UFC and @WWE"

Fans have been reacting to the stunning announcement, with some expressing concern that the deal means more MMA fighters will make their way onto WWE's roster:

"Just please, don't add the UFC PPV model and don't add UFC fighters in WWE I beg."

Another fan hoped the deal would see an increase to fighter pay across both organizations:

"Will y'all start paying fighters more than 18% percent now?"

Twitter user @amaan66192833 was concerned that the move could see a creative shift in WWE, which has blossomed under the tenure of Triple H over the past year:

"Keep HHH in creative I beg at least"

Check out more concerned fan reactions below:

What is UFC president Dana White's role in the new company?

Following today's stunning announcement by Endeavor, Dana White has given his thoughts on the deal that will see the two organizations merge together.

White is currently set to join a control board of 11 who will oversee the new company. Ari Emanuel will be the chief executive of both Endeavor and the new organization, whilst Vince McMahon will retain his role as executive chairman of WWE. Mark Shapiro and Nick Khan will make up other places on the board alongside Dana White, with six more members set to be appointed in the coming weeks.

Reacting to the news on Twitter, the 53-year-old posted a statement that shared his excitement about the future prospects of both organizations:

"This company has been on fire for the last seven years and now that we will be adding WWE to the portfolio, I am excited to take this to another level. Vince is a savage in the wrestling space, Ari is a beast at what he does, and then we add what we at UFC bring to the table and there is no limit to what this company can accomplish in the next few years."