Dana White
Dana White (born July 28, 1969 in Manchester, Connecticut) is the current President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), a mixed martial arts organization based in the United States.
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Biography
Born in Manchester, Connecticut, White grew up in Las Vegas, Boston and Levant, Maine. White is a fierce Boston Red Sox fan. During his youth, he bounced back and forth between Las Vegas and Maine. He tried college for two years in Boston but didn't finish. He got himself on track there, however, by launching a boxing program for inner-city kids.
White has a background as an aerobics instructor. In 1992, White established Dana White Enterprises in Las Vegas. He conducted aerobics classes at three gyms in the Las Vegas area and began managing MMA fighters Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell.
While working as a manager, White learned that Semaphore Entertainment Group, the parent company of the UFC, was looking for a buyer for the UFC. White contacted childhood friend Lorenzo Fertitta, an executive at Station Casinos, and a former commissioner of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Within a month, Lorenzo and his older brother Frank bought the UFC, with White installed as its president. White currently owns 10% of Zuffa, LLC, the entity the Fertitta brothers created to own and manage the UFC.
The Dana Divide
Dana White is a very interesting phenomenon in the mixed martial arts community. Many believe that he has almost single-handedly gotten mixed martial arts to where it is today. His promotion skills, along with his attempt to have MMA seen as a sport rather than human cock-fighting, White's contributions to the growing sport is undeniable.
The problem with White arises because of his business tactics and the way he portrays himself to the public. He curses quite often, and many believe that he should not do so as much because it makes the sport look bad. Others find problems with his strong hand tactics, where he makes sure fighters have contracts with the UFC and can not break them, as well as if a fighter crosses his path he may find himself not fighting for a while (Roger Huerta) or fighting on the preliminary card (Jon Fitch).
Personal Life
White and his wife Anne have two sons and a daughter.
Awards and Accomplishments
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
- Promoter of the Year (2005–2008)
