Refused to Leave Despite Billion-Dollar Sale

Dana White has been the driving force behind the UFC’s massive growth since he took over the organization in 2001 with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. Despite the opportunity to leave the sport after UFC was sold to Endeavor for $4 billion in 2016, White chose to stay. He has continued to expand the brand globally, introducing new markets and turning the UFC into one of the most profitable sports organizations in the world.

“Everyone changes when they make a lot of money. No matter what path you are on, once you reach a certain level of success, you have to be a certain type of person to stay hungry and fight every day.

When we sold in 2016, 99 percent of people said I would retire and leave. I am not built that way,” White told Tucker Carlson.

Inspired by Bob Arum’s Endurance

White has frequently expressed his love for the sport and his relentless work ethic. As an example of someone who has maintained the same dedication, he mentioned legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank. Arum, now 94 years old, is still active in the sport and regularly appears ringside at major boxing events.

“I hate him, he’s an a**hole, but Bob Arum, the boxing promoter, he’s 94 years old. I hate him.

This guy is the biggest douchebag of all time, but I’m at a [Las Vegas] Aces WNBA game – Bob Arum is 94 years old, it’s 9 PM, and he’s sitting courtside. I’m thinking, holy s***, Bob Arum is here. That’s insane. This guy is 94 years old,” White said.

Despite their differences, White sees Arum’s lifestyle as proof that age is not an obstacle when it comes to continuing to work at a high level.

Strong Relationship with Donald Trump

During the interview, White also spoke about his close friendship with Donald Trump. He praised Trump’s work ethic and stated that his resilience following the assassination attempt in July further confirmed his determination.

“I think, at his core, he believes that God spared him to lead this country for the next four years,” White said.

Trump has been a longtime supporter of the UFC, and White has frequently invited him to UFC events, where the former president has been warmly received by the audience.

Key Role on Meta’s Board

Another major development in White’s career is his appointment to the board of Meta, the company behind Facebook and Instagram. White revealed that Mark Zuckerberg personally asked him to join after they developed a friendship. He sees his role as an advisor on free speech issues in social media.

“I know what my role is, and I will speak up when I can add value,” White said.

White emphasized that he has no technical expertise but believes he can contribute with his business experience and perspective on freedom of speech. He has also voiced admiration for Elon Musk and his efforts to promote transparency in social media.

The Future of UFC and Combat Sports

Dana White has repeatedly made it clear that he has no plans to leave the UFC, and he intends to continue expanding the organization. He has introduced new concepts such as Power Slap, a controversial competition format, and brought the UFC to new markets, including Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.