Have you heard the name Dana White and you want to learn more about who he is?
Or, have you seen Dana White talking at all of the UFC press conferences and wrapping belts on all the Champions in the Octagon, and you’re curious to find out more?
We’ll take a closer look at the famous UFC President, what his net worth is, how he got into MMA and how he has helped grow UFC into a global powerhouse.
Table of Contents
Who is Dana White?
Who is Dana White? Dana White is the president of UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization.
He has been with UFC since 2001, and he has been instrumental in growing the company into a global success.
While Dana White is a controversial personality, he is also arguably the best promoter in combat sports history.
Dana White’s Background
Dana White was born in Manchester, Connecticut on July 28, 1969. His father was Dana White Sr. and his mother was Jane White.
He also has a sister, Kelly. The White is Irish American.
Dana White took up boxing at the age of 17 and graduated from Hermon High School in 1987.
Although Dana started college at 2 separate colleges (Quincy College & UMass Boston), he dropped out of both of them in the first semester.
White moved from Boston to Las Vegas, after owning a Boston mobster $2,500. He didn’t have the money, so one day he picked up the phone and booked a ticket to Vegas.
It was in Vegas where he met Tito Ortiz & Chuck Liddell. He would later dip his toe in the professional combat sports game by becoming their manager.
Dana has said that his education came from “the school of hard knocks.” He learned a lot about the business world through his own experiences and by working with other successful businessmen.
How did Dana White Become President of UFC?
It was while managing Ortiz & Liddell that Dana White met Bob Meyrowitz. Bob Meyrowitz was the owner of Semaphore Entertainment Group, the parent company of UFC.
When Dana White heard that Bob was looking to sell his struggling UFC business, he got in contact with a childhood friend of his, Lorenzo Fertitta, and asked if he would be interested in buying the UFC.
In 2001, Lorenzo and his brother Frank bought UFC for $2 million and became the UFC owners. They then installed Dana White as president.
In 2001, White was introduced to casino owners Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, who were looking for a way to enter the MMA market. The Fertittas bought the struggling UFC for $20 million, with White becoming its president. Under White’s leadership, the UFC has become the most successful MMA promotion in the world.
What is Dana White’s net worth?
White’s net worth is estimated to be $500 million. He has made his fortune through his ownership stake in the UFC and various other business ventures.
Dana’s annual salary is $20 million.
How has Dana White changed the UFC?
White has been instrumental in growing the UFC from a small promotion to a global powerhouse. He has helped to sign some of the biggest names in MMA, including Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. White has also been successful in getting the UFC televised on major networks, such as FOX and ESPN.
Dana White has been absolutely instrumental in growing UFC into the global powerhouse that it is today.
UFC has 100 training facilities around the world, it puts on fights in 175 countries and it has media coverage in over 1 billion households.
He started The Ultimate Fighter TV show where MMA fighters compete in a tournament, with the winning prize being a 6-figure contract with UFC. Later on, in 2017, he started the Dana White Contender Series, which aims to find new talent for the company.
He has also penned deals with major media networks for UFC, such as FOX & ESPN.
On top of his ability to sign great business deals, he also knows how to spot talent and how to promote that talent. For example, he signed Conor McGregor & Ronda Rousey.
Dana took UFC from a $2 million valuation in 2001, to a $4 billion UFC stock valuation in 2016.
How long will Dana White be President of UFC for?
In 2019, Dana White signed a 7 year contract to be President of UFC. It is not known whether he will step down from his role once his contract expires.
What is Dana White’s personality like?
Dana White is known for being brash and outspoken. He is not afraid to speak his mind, even if it means getting into arguments with other people in the MMA community.
However, he is also known for being a great promoter and showman. He knows how to get people interested in the UFC, and he always puts on a good show.
Dana White is known for being blunt, direct & outspoken. He is never afraid to speak his mind, and he does not care about being “professional” infront of the media.
He constantly cusses in press conferences and calls out people that we doesn’t like in public settings. He is a great promoter and showman. His real talent is getting the word “UFC” into headlines and people’s homes.
Did You Know?
Dana White was once offered a job as an announcer for the XFL, but he turned it down because he didn’t want to be associated with Vince McMahon’s then-controversial football league.
Does Dana White have his own family?
Dana White does have his own family. He has been married to his wife, Anne, since 1996. They have 3 children together (Dana, Aidan & Savannah). Dana also has a stepson, from Anne’s previous marriage.
