# 113 Topher Bates on The Business Behind the UFC, WWE, and Zuffa Boxing

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-sports-business-leaders-podcast-7164281/113-topher-bates-on-the-business-behind-the-ufc-wwe-and-zuffa-boxing
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-sports-business-leaders-podcast-7164281/113-topher-bates-on-the-business-behind-the-ufc-wwe-and-zuffa-boxing.md
Podcast: [The Sports Business Leaders Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-sports-business-leaders-podcast-7164281)
Published: 2026-06-18T13:25:46+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sportsbusinessleaders/episodes/113-Topher-Bates-on-The-Business-Behind-the-UFC--WWE--and-Zuffa-Boxing-e3kvbfr
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/e9c4d3c8/podcast/play/121662395/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-5-18%2F426387511-44100-2-4367acc0cf8b5.m4a
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Duration seconds: 1506

## Resource

Topher Bates is the General Manager of Boxing at On Location, the premium hospitality and experiences division of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC, WWE, PBR, and other global sports and entertainment properties. In this episode of the Sports Business Leaders Podcast, Topher shares how On Location has become the leader in VIP ticketing, hospitality, and exclusive fan experiences across some of the world's biggest sporting events, including the FIFA World Cup, Super Bowl, Olympics, UFC, and WWE. He discusses the business behind premium experiences, building partnerships with major sports properties, launching TKO's new boxing division, and why success in sports business comes from treating your career like a long-term campaign built on relationships, trust, and consistent execution.

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## Transcript

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