AUDIO – Couture joined ESPN1100 and Steve Cyr at Sapphire Dayclub in Las Vegas on Friday and said the sale of the promotion has been completed.

“I’ve heard a strong rumor that it is sold,” Couture said on Friday (7:22 mark). “It’s done. It was done a day or two ago. Lorenzo’s (Fertitta) out. Dana (White) is still in. I heard that from fairly reliable sources that that’s happening.”

Couture then wondered aloud why White was coveted by new ownership (11:20 mark).

“I hear the company that bought it is keeping him on as the president. And if the UFC has a problem right now as a brand, it’s an image problem. How they act and how they treat the fighters. The things that they do with their fighters that are in their stable,” Couture said. “And lot of that trickles down from (Dana White). His attitude when he does interviews. His attitude when he deals with the media. His attitude when he deals with his fighters.”

Couture wouldn’t keep White around.

“If I bought the company and wanted to change that or take it to the next level, I’m thinking you need a change of face. You need a change of image,” Couture said.

Couture continued with his issues around the treatment of the fighters.

“He’s treating the media just like he treats a lot of the fighters. If you’re not his boy. If you’re not the guy that’s going to sign away all your ancillary rights and let him control you head to toe, then he’s going to find a way to put his thumb on you.”