The name Dana White is synonymous with the Ultimate Fighting Championships. The UFC CEO and the Fertitta brothers, Frank and Lorenzo, are singlehandedly responsible for transforming UFC from a million-dollar company to a billion-dollar one. Fertitta sold the company to Endeavour but White remains at the helm as the head honcho.
Another name synonymous with the promotion is Joe Rogan, the color commentator. Rogan has a close inseparable bond with the UFC CEO who recently disclosed the depth of their relationship in his appearance on the Lex Fridman podcast.
Dana White once decided to resign to save Joe Rogan
Episode 421 of the Lex Fridman podcast featured Dana White. Fridman, the podcast host is a close friend of Joe Rogan and the question of the comedian cum podcaster came up.
“When you’re with me, you’re with me. It’s a two-way street, not a one-way street. I’m not one of these guys that is gonna roll over,” said Dana White when Fridman inquired about when White threatened to resign to save Joe Rogan.
Rogan had to face the brunt of the criticism from the mainstream media for racism and misinformation of COVID accusations. White refused to fire Rogan even after the UFC sponsors and board of directors asked him to do so.
“And again, it’s a two-way street. Joe Rogan has been very loyal to me, and I am very loyal to Joe Rogan,” White added. White also described how he went on with his business even after all other businesses were shut down due to COVID-19.
White’s decision to move on with UFC fights during COVID-19 was criticized. However, in hindsight, it proved to be a masterstroke as he was praised for it. Moreover, the UFC business grew exponentially during the pandemic era.
Dana White and Joe Rogan’s unbreakable bond
Joe Rogan is a controversial figure, particularly in the political and social sphere of the United States of America. Rogan’s outspoken remarks have often garnered criticism, particularly from the left-leaning section. However, White has always stood by Rogan.
When the Ferttia brothers first purchased the UFC, they found it tough to keep it afloat. At the time, Rogan commentated for free for the company. White recently revealed it during his appearance on the Games with Names podcast of Julian Edelman, the former Super Bowl MVP.
The sentiment is mutual as Joe Rogan has in his contract that he would not commentate in the UFC if Dana White were not the boss. Rogan has made millions with his acclaimed podcast, the Joe Rogan Experience with his recent non-exclusive deal with Spotify worth more than $200 million per Wall Street Journal.
His commitments to his podcast have restricted his work with the UFC to domestic PPV events. Nonetheless, fight fans still consider the commentary trio of Rogan, Daniel Cormier, and Jon Anik as the best in the business.
In addition to Rogan, White is also very loyal to Donald Trump. During the early days of the UFC, Trump was among the very few who provided a helping hand to White and the UFC. White has returned the favor multiple times and Trump has been a regular at UFC PPVs in the USA.
When Trump attended UFC 296, headlined by Colby Covington and Leon Edwards, White banned Sneako, the controversial streamer, from the premises of the T-Mobile Arena. Sneako had earlier threatened to confront Trump via his livestream.
What do you think of the relationship between Dana White and Joe Rogan? Leave your thoughts below!
