Dana White

White was born in Manchester, Connecticut, to June and Dana White Sr.{{cite web|url=https://www.sherdog.com/news/articles/5-Things-You-Might-Not-Know-About-Dana-White-127657|last=Knapp|first=Brian|date=October 15, 2017|title=5 Things You Might Not Know About Dana White|work=Sherdog|access-date=June 17, 2019}} on July 28, 1969.{{Cite web |title=Famous birthdays for July 28: Dana White, Elizabeth Berkley |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2019/07/28/Famous-birthdays-for-July-28-Dana-White-Elizabeth-Berkley/3751563758137/ |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=UPI |language=en}} He is an Irish American.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/ufc-boss-tells-ireland-calm-down-2015275-Mar2015/|title=UFC boss refers to Ireland as 'the UK' but claims it was a prank on McGregor|last=Dollery|first=Paul|website=The42|date=March 26, 2015 |language=en|access-date=October 1, 2019}} White spent many of his early years residing in Ware, Massachusetts.{{cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2016/01/16/ufc-president-dana-white-has-deep-connection-with-boston/77kJjod5RPgnTy3HaJD7iJ/story.html|last=Dupont |first=Kevin Paul |date=January 16, 2016|title=UFC president Dana White has deep bond with Boston|work=Boston Globe|access-date=June 17, 2019}}

White and his sister, Kelly, were raised by their mother and her family for the majority of their childhoods.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9QGaLXA6Uk&t=2m20s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/P9QGaLXA6Uk |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Fight Night London: Dana White Post-Fight Presser Scrum|work=YouTube|date=March 9, 2014|access-date=June 11, 2016}}{{cbignore}} White's mother was a nurse, and the family moved to Las Vegas when White was in third grade, as Vegas offered higher wages for nurses.{{Cite web |date=2009-12-23 |title=White set to 'bring fight game back to Boston' |url=https://www.espn.com/news/story?id=4766500 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} White attended Bishop Gorman High School, where he first met Lorenzo Fertitta, although they did not become close friends until years later. White said he disliked school and "got kicked out of Gorman twice".{{Cite web |last=Keefer |first=Case |date=2014-06-29 |title=Lorenzo Fertitta, Dana White built UFC into something big |url=https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/jun/29/two-sides-octagon-white-fertitta-are-opposites-who/ |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=Las Vegas Sun |archive-date=March 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319104553/https://m.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/jun/29/two-sides-octagon-white-fertitta-are-opposites-who/ |url-status=dead }} Despite living in Nevada, the Whites returned to the East Coast in the summers, to spend time with White's grandparents in Levant, Maine, a small town near Bangor. White spent his senior year of high school in Maine.

After graduating from Hermon High School in 1987,{{cite web|url=http://bangordailynews.com/2011/05/03/sports/white%E2%80%99s-100000-donation-funds-hermon-athletic-complex-upgrades|last=Clark |first=Ernie|date=May 3, 2011|title=UFC President Dana White gives $100,000 to fix up Hermon athletic complex|work=Bangor Daily News|access-date=June 17, 2019}} White started college twice, once at Quincy College and once at UMass Boston, but dropped out during his first semester each time.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boston/news/story?id=4766500|last=Wagenheim |first=Jeff|date=December 22, 2009|title=Better duck: Dana White is coming home|work=ESPN|access-date=March 24, 2020}} During this time, he had various jobs, such as laying asphalt, working as a bouncer at an Irish bar, and being a bellhop at the Boston Harbor Hotel. White had begun boxing at age 17, and befriended former Golden Gloves champion Peter Welch. Through this relationship, White decided he wanted to enter the fight business, and he started a boxing gym in Boston with Welch. White initially intended to become a professional boxer himself, but was put off the idea after seeing a punch drunk boxer and worrying that he would suffer the same neurodegeneration.{{Cite web |date=2021-04-22 |title=Boston homecoming shows White's rapid rise as head of UFC |url=https://apnews.com/article/north-america-nfl-football-nhl-hockey-super-bowl-sports-4b89b2386543471f94f9cfd19c4f2d65 |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=AP NEWS |language=en}}

White then worked as a boxercise coach.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2018/8/23/17776126/dana-white-talks-boxercise-instructor-days-story-picture|title=Dana White goes into detail on his boxercise instructor days|last=Harkness|first=Ryan|date=August 23, 2018|website=MMAmania.com|language=en|access-date=April 12, 2020}}

White has stated he left Boston to return to Las Vegas in the early 1990s after being threatened by mobster Whitey Bulger and his associate Kevin Weeks. "He basically said, 'You owe us money.' It was like {{USD|2,500|long=no}}, which was like {{USD|25,000|long=no}} to me back then, and I didn't pay him. This went on for a while and one day I was at my place and I got a call and they said, 'You owe us the money tomorrow by 1 o'clock.' I literally hung up the phone, picked up the phone and called Delta and bought a ticket to Vegas."{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/haymaker/story/ufc-dana-white-black-mass-johnny-depp-whitey-bulger-boston-experience-091015|last=Martin |first=Damon |date=September 10, 2015|title=Dana White had his own 'Black Mass' experience with Whitey Bulger|work=Fox Sports|access-date=June 17, 2019}}

In Las Vegas, White continued running boxercise gyms and also began training jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of John Lewis (a competitor in UFC 22 and UFC 28), alongside Lorenzo Fertitta and his older brother Frank Fertitta III.{{cite web |last1=de Souza |first1=Diogo |title=Dana White On Jiu-Jitsu: 'No Gi Is Way Better Than Gi' |url=https://jitsmagazine.com/dana-white-on-jiu-jitsu-no-gi-is-way-better-than-gi/ |website=Jitsmagazine |date=March 27, 2024 |access-date=28 March 2024}}{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2021/2/23/22295618/the-godfather-of-155-jens-pulver-looks-back-becoming-the-first-ufc-lightweight-champion-20-years-ago|title=The Godfather of 155: Jens Pulver looks back at becoming the first UFC lightweight champion 20 years ago|author=Damon Martin|date=February 23, 2021|publisher=mmafighting.com}} White had reconnected with the Fertitta brothers after meeting Lorenzo at a mutual friend's wedding; they had not spoken to each other in 10 years prior to this encounter.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-10 |title=Deep ties for UFC execs, celebrated HS program |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2014/11/10/People-and-Pop-Culture/UFC-high-school-football.aspx |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}} It was in Lewis' practices where White met mixed martial artists Tito Ortiz and Chuck Liddell and ultimately became their manager.{{cite web|url=https://mymmanews.com/john-lewis-talks-vegas-club-scene/|title=John Lewis Talks Vegas Club Scene, Being Managed by Dana White and Jet Setting with the Fertittas|author=Tony Reid|website=mymmanews.com|date=June 17, 2018 }}

{{further|Ultimate Fighting Championship}}

While working as a manager for Ortiz and Liddell, White met Bob Meyrowitz, the owner of Semaphore Entertainment Group, the then-parent company of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). When White learned that Meyrowitz was looking to sell the UFC, he contacted his friend Lorenzo Fertitta (an executive and co-founder of Station Casinos, and former commissioner of the Nevada State Athletic Commission), to ask if he would be interested in acquiring the company. In January 2001, Lorenzo and his older brother Frank acquired the UFC for {{USD|2 million|long=no}}; it subsequently became a subsidiary of Zuffa. White was installed as the company's president.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/16970360/ufc-sold-unprecedented-4-billion-dana-white-confirms|title=UFC sold to WME-IMG in unprecedented deal|date=July 11, 2016|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=October 1, 2019}} He was also granted a stake in the company as a finder's fee and as sweat equity.{{Cite web |last=writer |first=Lance Pugmire Lance Pugmire is the Los Angeles Times’ former boxing/MMA/Ducks beat |date=2016-07-12 |title=Dana White pockets millions from UFC sale and will keep running the company |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/boxing/la-sp-ufc-dana-white-20160711-snap-story.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

White said that when he and the Fertittas acquired the UFC, all they received was the brand name "UFC" and an old octagon. The previous owners had stripped the company's assets to avoid bankruptcy, so much so that the UFC.com website had been sold to a company named "User Friendly Computers".{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ufcs-dana-white-on-alcoho_b_991617|title=UFC's Dana White on Alcoholic Dad, Donald Trump, the Mob, John McCain & New York|last=Bensinger|first=Graham|date=October 3, 2011|website=HuffPost|language=en|access-date=October 1, 2019}} The first UFC cards under White's leadership, UFC 30 and UFC 31, were held in the Trump Taj Mahal, which led to the development of White's long-term friendship with Donald Trump.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ng948r84go|title=UFC boss to promote Trump's 'fighter' image at RNC finale|first=Sam|last=Cabral|publisher=BBC News|date=July 18, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.norwichbulletin.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/18/who-is-dana-white-connecticut-rnc-2024-trump/74433721007/|title=Who is Dana White? Trump's longtime friends stumps for him at RNC 2024. What he said|author=Rin Velasco, USA TODAY Network|publisher=Norwich Bulletin|date=July 18, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/07/18/dana-white-rnc-speech-trump-endorsement/74407155007/|title=UFC CEO Dana White endorses Trump at Republican National Convention: Watch|first1=George Fabe|last1=Russell|first2=James|last2=Powell|publisher=USA Today|date=July 18, 2024|accessdate=July 19, 2024}} The UFC did not immediately have success after the Zuffa takeover, and by 2004 the Fertittas had invested over {{USD|40 million|long=no}} into the company without attaining significant growth or reaching profitability.{{Cite web |date=2020-04-09 |title=The inside story of how 'The Ultimate Fighter' saved the UFC 15 years ago |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/29014001/the-story-how-ultimate-fighter-saved-ufc-15-years-ago |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} White, alongside the Fertittas and television producer Craig Piligian, developed the idea of an MMA-based reality series, The Ultimate Fighter, as an attempt to create interest in the sport. The company self-funded the show as television networks refused to pay for the cost of production. The Ultimate Fighter, particularly the finale fight between Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin, is credited for having "saved the UFC". Under White's leadership the UFC subsequently developed into a highly successful business; in 2006, UFC 66 headlined by Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz generated over 1,000,000 pay-per-view buys, and by 2008 the company was valued by Forbes at {{USD|1.1 billion|long=no}}.{{Cite web |last=writer |first=Lance Pugmire Lance Pugmire is the Los Angeles Times’ former boxing/MMA/Ducks beat |date=2009-07-11 |title=The driving forces behind UFC |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jul-11-sp-ufc-fertitta11-story.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

In 2010, Flash Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Government, bought a 10% stake in Zuffa for a reported {{USD|150–175 million|long=no}}, leaving White with a 9% stake in the company and the Fertittas with 40.5% each.{{Cite web |last=Meltzer |first=Dave |date=2018-09-04 |title=Flash Entertainment sells its 10 percent of UFC to Endeavor |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2018/9/4/17814722/flash-entertainment-sells-its-10-percent-of-ufc-to-endeavor |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-07-11 |title=Dana White confirms $4 billion UFC sale to WME/IMG |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/dana-white-confirms-4-billion-ufc-sale-to-wmeimg-054731728.html |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}} In a 2011 street interview with TMZ Sports, White responded "never ever" to the question: "When will we see women in the UFC?"{{Cite news |title=Dana White Interview with TMZ Sports 2011 |work=TMZ Sports |url=https://www.tmz.com/watch/0-ppyhutda/ }} He later reversed this stance and in February 2013 the UFC held its first women's bout, featuring Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche.{{Cite web |last=Coleman |first=Joe |date=2021-03-08 |title=Ronda Rousey used to make more than McGregor, terrified Tyson and broke barriers for women in UFC |url=https://talksport.com/sport/845538/ronda-rousey-net-worth-conor-mcgregor-prime-mike-tyson-amanda-nunes-weili-zhang-joanna-jedrzejczyk-ufc/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}} Rousey subsequently became one of the UFC's two main marquee stars in the mid-2010s, alongside Conor McGregor. The pair accounted for 4.6 million pay-per-view buys in 2015, 61% of the company's total buyrate that year,{{Cite web |last=Wyman |first=Patrick |title=Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey Are Responsible for the UFC's Resurgence |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2636243-conor-mcgregor-and-ronda-rousey-are-responsible-for-the-ufcs-resurgence |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} as the UFC's gross revenue reached {{USD|600 million|long=no}} in 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/16970360/ufc-sold-unprecedented-4-billion-dana-white-confirms|title=UFC sold to WME-IMG in unprecedented deal|date=July 11, 2016|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=March 20, 2020}}

File:José Aldo vs. Conor McGregor, UFC 189 World Tour London.jpg (left) and Conor McGregor, 2015]]

In July 2016, Zuffa was sold to a consortium of investors led by WME-IMG for {{USD|4.025 billion|long=no}}. White owned 9% of the company at the time of the sale.{{cite web|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/companies/management/2005-04-10-white-usat_x.htm|last=McCarthy |first=Michael |date=April 10, 2005|title=Battles yield winning 'Fighter'|work=USA Today|access-date=March 25, 2007}} White continued in his role as president,{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/mixed-martial-arts-league-ufc-sold-for-4-billion-to-wme-img-2016-7?r=UK&IR=T|last=O'Reilly |first=Lara |date= July 11, 2016 |title=The hugely popular mixed martial arts league UFC has been sold for $4 billion|work=Business Insider|access-date=June 17, 2019}} and was given a stake in the new business. In March 2019, White signed a new, seven-year contract to remain president of the UFC, as the UFC signed a deal with ESPN.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2019/3/18/18271731/dana-white-says-hes-extended-his-contract-with-the-ufc-for-seven-more-years|last=Raimondi |first=Marc |date=March 18, 2019|title=Dana White says he's extended his contract with the UFC for seven more years|work=MMA Fighting|access-date=June 17, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/26301344/dana-white-agrees-new-7-year-deal-ufc|title=Dana White agrees to new 7-year deal with UFC|date=March 19, 2019|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=March 20, 2020}} In April 2023, Endeavor (renamed from WME-IMG) announced a deal that would see professional wrestling company WWE merge with UFC to form a new public company, TKO Group Holdings.{{Cite web |last=Sherman |first=Alex |date=April 3, 2023 |title=WWE agrees to merge with UFC to create a new company run by Ari Emanuel and Vince McMahon |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/03/wwe-ufc-merger-endeavor.html |access-date=April 3, 2023 |website=CNBC}} White was subsequently given the title of chief executive officer of the UFC.{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-09-13 |title=Dana White has a new title after posing with Triple H at £17bn UFC-WWE merger |url=https://talksport.com/sport/mma/1564840/dana-white-promotion-ufc-wwe-merger-triple-h/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2023-09-05 |title=Endeavor Announces Close of UFC® And WWE® Transaction to Create TKO Group Holdings, a Premier Sports and Entertainment Company |url=https://tkogrp.com/press/endeavor-announces-close-of-ufc-and-wwe-transaction-to-create-tko-group-holdings-a-premier-sports-and-entertainment-company/ |access-date=2023-09-20 |website=TKO Group Holdings, Inc. |language=en-US |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920070151/https://tkogrp.com/press/endeavor-announces-close-of-ufc-and-wwe-transaction-to-create-tko-group-holdings-a-premier-sports-and-entertainment-company/ |url-status=dead }}

White entered the boxing scene by co-promoting Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Conor McGregor due to McGregor being contracted to the UFC. In October 2017, White said at Freddie Roach's Wild Card West boxing club that he was "getting into boxing, 100 percent".{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/21341423/ufc-president-dana-white-interested-promoting-boxing-matches|last=Rafael|first=Dan|date=November 9, 2017|title=UFC president Dana White interested in promoting boxing matches|work=ESPN|access-date=June 17, 2019}} In 2019 White said that he wanted to incorporate boxing into the company portfolio of the UFC.{{cite web|url=https://www.sportsjoe.ie/mma/dana-white-planning-to-bring-boxing-to-the-ufc-141415|last=Murphy |first=Darragh|title=Dana White planning to bring boxing to the UFC|work=Sports Joe|date=November 8, 2017 |access-date=June 17, 2019}} He later backpedaled on these plans, stating in 2022 that boxing promotion is "a broken business that is an absolute nightmare to try to fix".{{Cite web |title=Dana White: Boxing is 'a broken business that is an absolute nightmare to try to fix' |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/dana-white-boxing-broken-business-212045244.html |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=finance.yahoo.com |date=May 31, 2022 |language=en-US}} In 2024, White promoted a card featuring Irish boxer Callum Walsh which was streamed on UFC Fight Pass. He subsequently re-announced his intention to enter boxing promotion, and said he was "coming in guns blazing" in 2025.{{Cite web |last=Meshew |first=Jed |date=2024-09-24 |title=Dana White promises boxing updates in early 2025: 'I'm coming in guns blazing' |url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2024/9/24/24253782/dana-white-promises-boxing-updates-in-early-2025-im-coming-in-guns-blazing |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=MMA Fighting |language=en}}

In March 2025, White announced a partnership with Turki Al-Sheikh, head of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority, to create a new boxing league, modeled after the UFC. The UFC's parent company TKO Group Holdings and the Saudi entertainment conglomorate Sela were announced as backers of the venture. White was named as executive leader of the league. The name of the league was not immediately announced, while the first events were expected to take place in 2026.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=Dana White and Turki Alalshikh announce new boxing league |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing/dana-white-turki-alalshikh-new-boxing-league-b2709626.html |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=The Independent |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-03-05 |title=Dana White, TKO Group partner with Turki Alalshikh to form boxing promotion: What it could mean for the sport |url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/dana-white-tko-group-partner-with-turki-alalshikh-to-form-boxing-promotion-what-it-could-mean-for-the-sport/ |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

In 2017, White began hosting Dana White's Contender Series. Available initially through UFC Fight Pass, the promotion's digital streaming service, and licensed separately from the UFC brand, the show allows burgeoning fighters to compete for a contract in the UFC.{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com/ufc/story/dana-white-receives-promoters-license-for-new-contender-series-separate-from-ufc-061417|last=Martin|first=Damon|date=June 14, 2017|title=Dana White receives promoter's license for new contender series separate from UFC|work=Fox Sports|access-date=June 17, 2019}}

White was an executive producer of The Ultimate Surfer, a surfing competition television series styled after The Ultimate Fighter. It was created by Kelly Slater, a professional surfer and long-time friend of White.{{Cite web |date=2021-08-25 |title=This all ends with surfers fighting in the UFC, doesn't it? |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/08/dana-white-ufc-ultimate-surfer-producer-abc-television-tv-kelly-slater |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=MMA Junkie |language=en-US}} The show premiered on ABC in August 2021, and was canceled after one season due to low ratings.{{Cite web |last=White |first=Peter |date=2022-03-30 |title='The Ultimate Surfer': ABC Cancels Competition Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/the-ultimate-surfer-abc-cancelled-1234991253/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Haro |first=Alexander |date=2022-04-06 |title='The Ultimate Surfer' Cancelled After Dismal Ratings Reports |url=https://www.theinertia.com/surf/the-ultimate-surfer-cancelled-after-dismal-ratings-reports/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=The Inertia |language=en-US}}

In 2022, White became a co-owner of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, which owns the properties of Nitro Circus, Nitrocross, and Street League Skateboarding.{{cite web |last=|first=|title=Fiume Capital and Juggernaut Capital Partners Acquire Thrill One Sports & Entertainment |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fiume-capital-and-juggernaut-capital-partners-acquire-thrill-one-sports--entertainment-301589220.html|work=PR Newswire |date=July 19, 2022}}

White alongside the Fertittas co-founded Power Slap, a slap fighting competition that debuted in January 2023 and was previously televised on TBS.{{citation|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2023/1/17/23559590/dana-white-laughs-fans-disgusted-over-slap-fight-injuries-watch-the-voice-ufc-video|title=Dana White laughs at fans 'disgusted' over Slap Fight injuries — 'Watch The Voice' |first=Jesse |last=Holland |website=mmamania.com |date=January 17, 2023}} After TBS did not renew its deal with Power Slap, the competition began to be aired on the digital streaming platform Rumble.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-26 |title=Dana White and the Fertitta brothers cashed in on UFC, taking it from outlier to mainstream. Here's what they're banking on next. |url=https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2024/02/26/the-next-big-thing |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=www.sportsbusinessjournal.com |language=en}}

In January 2025, Meta Platforms announced that White had been elected to its board of directors.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-06|url=https://about.fb.com/news/2025/01/dana-white-john-elkann-charlie-songhurst-meta-board-of-directors/|title=Dana White, John Elkann and Charlie Songhurst to Join Meta Board of Directors}}

White met his wife Anne (née Stella) when they were in the eighth grade, and they married in 1996.{{Cite web|url=https://www.gq.com.au/men-of-the-year/event-coverage/everything-you-need-to-know-about-dana-white-before-his-gq-moty-appearance/image-gallery/8bffcf37a156c06986e40adb07fe6557|title=Everything You Need To Know About Dana White Before His GQ MOTY Appearance|last=Nash|first=Brad|date=November 9, 2018|website=GQ|language=en|access-date=October 1, 2019}} They have two sons and one daughter. White bought a mansion in Pine Island Court, Las Vegas, in 2006 from Frank Fertitta III for {{USD|1.95 million|long=no}}. White bought three other mansions in the same area from October 2016 to June 2017 for a combined total of around {{USD|6.2 million|long=no}}. Demolition permits were issued for the houses, presumably with the intent of creating a mega-mansion for White and his family.{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/business/housing/ufc-chief-dana-white-buys-3-homes-in-exclusive-las-vegas-area/|title=UFC chief Dana White buys 3 homes in exclusive Las Vegas area|date=June 6, 2017|website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|language=en-US|access-date=October 1, 2019}}

White was raised as a Catholic and was an altar boy when he was a child, but now considers himself to be an atheist and does not believe in an afterlife.{{cite web|title=Dana White Tells Playboy About His Atheism, Steroid Use and Love for Donald Trump|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2008/08/14/dana-white-tells-playboy-about-his-atheism-steroid-use-and-love|date=August 14, 2008|access-date=November 21, 2013}}{{Citation |title=Piers Morgan vs Dana White {{!}} The Full Interview | date=September 14, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhknTTq7bM |access-date=2023-11-24 |language=en}}

In 2011, White's mother, June, released the book Dana White, King of MMA: An Unauthorized Biography.{{cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12092479-dana-white-king-of-mma|last=White |first= June M. |title=Dana White, King of Mma: Dana White an Unauthorized Biography|work=Goodreads|access-date=June 17, 2019}} June claimed in the book that, since his success with the UFC, Dana had "turned his back on his family and friends who were there for him when he needed help and support".{{cite web|url=http://fcfighter.com/dana-white%E2%80%99s-mom-calls-him-a-%E2%80%9Cp-%E2%80%9D-and-%E2%80%9Ctyrant%E2%80%9D-who-turned-his-back-on-his-family/|last=Molina |first=Joshua |date=July 19, 2011|title=Dana White's mom calls him a "prick" and "tyrant," who turned his back on his family

|work=Full Contact Fighter|access-date=June 17, 2019}}

In May 2012, White revealed that he had been diagnosed with Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder.{{cite web|url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/mma--dana-white-diagnosed-with-meniere-s-disease-misses-first-live-ufc-card-in-11-years.html|last=Iole |first=Kevin |date=May 16, 2012|title=Dana White diagnosed with Ménière's disease misses first live UFC card in more than 11 years|work=Yahoo Sports|access-date=June 17, 2019}} He said, "It's like vertigo but on steroids."{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2012/5/15/3023255/ufcs-dana-white-menieres-disease-ear-surgery-mma|title=UFCs Dana White reveals he has Meniere's disease|first=Adam Jr.|last=Guillen|date=May 15, 2012|website=MMAmania.com|language=en|access-date=March 20, 2020}} White said that the disease was brought on because of a large fight he was involved in during his youth.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9e6cyv7lnw|last=Rogan |first=Joe|date=February 21, 2013|title=Joe Rogan Experience #327 - Dana White|work=YouTube|access-date=June 17, 2019}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} The UFC on Fuel TV 3: Korean Zombie vs. Poirier event in May 2012 was the first UFC card he had missed in 11 years with White staying home, adhering to medical advice.

White underwent Orthokine treatment for Ménière's disease in 2013, which he says has greatly reduced his symptoms.{{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2013/4/18/4240318/dana-white-meniers-disease-a-rod-germany-stem-cell-treatment-cure-ufc-president|last=Guillen|first=Adam Jr. |date=April 18, 2013|title=Dana White Meniere's Disease: A-Rod, German stem cell treatment cure UFC President '100 percent'|work=SB Nation|access-date=June 17, 2019}}

In 2022, White stated he had undergone medical testing and was diagnosed with extremely high triglyceride levels and other irregularities. He was given 10.4 years left to live if he did not rectify the problems. White said that since then he has adhered to a ketogenic diet, which he says has remedied his sleep apnea and alleviated his leg pain.{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Ujwal |date=2022-09-23 |title="He gave me 10.4 years to live" - Dana White talks about getting an alarming ultimatum on his life expectancy |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-dana-white-told-10-years-live-based-blood-work |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Dana White feels 35 again after being marked for death in a decade |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2022/9/24/23369756/dana-white-feels-35-again-after-being-marked-for-death-in-a-decade |access-date=2022-09-29 |website=www.mmamania.com |date=September 24, 2022 |language=en}} The regimen was prescribed by biologist Gary Brecka, whom White credited for the improvement in his health.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-29 |title=UFC President Dana White Reveals Six-Year Body Transformation |url=https://www.menshealth.com/uk/weight-loss/a43707873/dana-white-reveals-weight-loss-transformation/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Men's Health |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=UFC boss Dana White's insane body transformation after '10 years to live' diagnosis |work=news |url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/ufc/ufc-boss-dana-whites-insane-body-transformation-after-10-years-to-live-diagnosis/news-story/03822ea069d7caf6ccf277103d8268c8?amp}}

File:President Donald Trump and Dana White.jpg in 2018]]

White spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, where he endorsed Republican nominee Donald Trump.{{cite news|date=July 19, 2016|title=UFC president Dana White stumps for Trump at Republican convention|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2016/jul/19/dana-white-speech-trump-republican-national-convention|access-date=June 11, 2017}} White said that Trump helped the UFC at its beginnings, allowing the UFC to host its first event under Zuffa ownership (UFC 30) at the Trump Taj Mahal when other venues refused to host the UFC.{{Cite news|last=Zidan|first=Karim|date=August 16, 2018|title=Why the UFC is a perfect platform for Donald Trump's political ideology|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/aug/16/ufc-dana-white-donald-trump-relationship|access-date=October 1, 2019|issn=0261-3077}} White said, "No arenas wanted us. This guy reached out, and he's always been a friend to me."{{Cite web|title=UFC's Dana White on loyalty to Trump: 'That guy gave us our start when nobody would talk to us'|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/aug/20/dana-white-on-loyalty-to-trump-that-guy-gave-us-ou/|access-date=October 1, 2019|website=The Washington Times|language=en-US}} White reiterated his support for Trump for the 2020 election and spoke at the podium at a Trump reelection rally in Colorado.{{cite web|last=Sutare|first=Patrick|date=February 23, 2020|title=UFC President Dana White Renews Support For Donald Trump, Joins POTUS In Rally|website=International Business Times |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/ufc-president-dana-white-renews-support-donald-trump-joins-potus-rally-2927605|access-date=March 4, 2020}} In February 2020, White donated {{USD|1 million|long=no}} to America First Action, a super political action committee that supported Trump's re-election.{{cite news|url=https://www.casino.org/news/ufc-president-dana-white-donates-1m-to-trump-campaign/ |last=O'Connor |first=Devin |date=February 27, 2020 |title=UFC President Dana White Donates $1M to Trump Campaign, Fertittas Supporting GOP House Effort |work=Casino.org |access-date=June 9, 2020}} In April 2020, White joined a group of industry leaders to help the United States rebuild its economy hit by the coronavirus pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/ufc-news-donald-trump-includes-dana-white-in-task-force-to-restart-the-nations-economy/|title=Donald Trump Includes Dana White in Task Force to Restart the Nation's Economy|date=April 15, 2020|website=EssentiallySports}} White again endorsed Trump in 2024 and introduced him at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/2024/07/18/dana-white-rnc-trump-melania|title=Why Dana White is introducing Trump at the GOP convention|access-date=July 18, 2024|website=Axios|language=en-US}}

White is a fan of the Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine.{{cite news |title=Dana White Beat Boxing, Elves and More Hijinks at UFC Holiday Party |url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/other/dana-white-beat-boxing-elves-and-more-hijinks-at-ufc-holiday-party |access-date=25 May 2021 |work=Fox Sports |date=16 Dec 2013}}{{cite news |last1=Snell |first1=Patrick |title='I don't want to die,' says UFC boss Dana White as sport gets back to business amid pandemic |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2020/05/07/sport/dana-white-ufc-restart-interview-coronavirus-florida-cmd-spt-intl/index.html |access-date=25 May 2021 |publisher=CNN |date=7 May 2020}} Speaking on the passing of Adam Yauch, White said: "I seriously haven't been impacted by a death in a long time like I was with the Beastie Boys".{{cite news |last1=Roth |first1=Matthew |title=UFC 148 Results: Dana White Says 'Forrest and Tito Looked Old Tonight' |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1250873-ufc-148-results-dana-white-forrest-and-tito-looked-old-tonight |access-date=25 May 2021 |publisher=Bleacher Report |date=8 July 2012}} White also has a guitar hand-signed by all three members of the Beastie Boys in his office.{{cite news |author=Staff Writers |title=Cocaine, swords, and a sabre-tooth skull: Inside Dana White's insane UFC war room |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/ufc/ufc-dana-white-ufc-fight-night-how-much-is-dana-white-worth/news-story/2ddd841ebff52d2a8a6a8b929ce40a93 |access-date=25 May 2021 |work=Fox Sports |date=14 May 2020}}{{cite news |last1=Coleman |first1=Joe |title=ALL ACCESS UFC president Dana White's insane office includes samurai swords, a money gun, bar, a sabre-tooth tiger skull and war room to plan fights |url=https://talksport.com/sport/mma/692875/dana-white-house-ufc-office-swords-tiger-bar-fights-mma/ |access-date=25 May 2021 |publisher=Talk Sport |date=16 Nov 2020}}

White has been a fan of the New England Patriots since childhood, and has stated that he is an admirer of the former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/clip/8283a1d3-647d-4469-98ac-b10162327c40 |title=Super Bowl: UFC boss Dana White is a big fan of the New England Patriots |date=January 23, 2018 |publisher=BBC |access-date=2022-12-21}} White said in a 2022 interview alongside Rob Gronkowski that he had worked to negotiate a deal which would have brought Brady and Gronkowski to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020, but Jon Gruden nixed the deal and the duo instead signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.{{Cite web |title=UFC's Dana White doubles down on Raiders' failed plan to acquire Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski {{!}} Fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/ufcs-dana-white-doubles-down-raiders-failed-plan-acquire-tom-brady-rob-gronkowski.amp |access-date=2023-09-06 |website=www.foxnews.com}}

White began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu in 1998, and stated it had a positive impact on him and made him realize the importance of having ground skills in fighting situations.{{cite web | url=https://www.bjjee.com/articles/dana-white-starting-jiu-jitsu-is-the-most-humbling-experience-you-can-have-as-a-man/ | title=Dana White: 'Starting Jiu-Jitsu is the Most Humbling Experience You Can Have as a Man | date=March 27, 2024 }}

In a season 15 episode of History Channel's Pawn Stars (originally airing on February 5, 2018), White purchased around {{USD|60,000|long=no}} worth of katana swords, including one of Rick Harrison's 17th-century Japanese katanas.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.history.com/shows/pawn-stars/season-15/episode-17/dana-white-wants-ricks-1600s-japanese-katana|date= February 5, 2018|title=Dana White Wants Rick's 1600s Japanese Katana|medium=Reality |work=History Channel|access-date=March 8, 2019}}

White is a recreational gambler.{{cite web|title=Dana White too successful of a gambler for the Palms, ordered to cut back his play|date=June 2, 2014 |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/dana-white-too-successful-of-a-gambler-for-the-palms--told-to-cut-back-his-play-210509747.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603023504/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/dana-white-too-successful-of-a-gambler-for-the-palms--told-to-cut-back-his-play-210509747.html |archive-date=June 3, 2014 }} He plays high-stakes blackjack, and has been limited from playing at multiple casinos in Las Vegas. He states he plays {{USD|75,000|long=no}} a hand, and if he wins the first couple of hands, he takes the {{USD|150,000|long=no}} profit and leaves.{{Cite news |title=Caesars Palace Dana White's Favorite Las Vegas Casino |newspaper=Casino.org |date=August 19, 2022 |url=https://www.casino.org/news/dana-white-says-caesars-palace-las-vegas-is-his-favorite-casino/ |last1=Shriber |first1=Todd }} White also gambles on sports. He stated in 2021 that the biggest sports bet he had placed was in 2007, when he wagered {{USD|1 million|long=no}} on Jermain Taylor to beat Kelly Pavlik. Taylor lost the bout by technical knockout, and White said about the experience, "I was in Cabo, relaxing having fun. That ruined my fun. Ruined my whole trip."{{Cite web |date=2021-11-25 |title='I was sure he would kill him' - White recalls $1m bet that ruined his holiday |url=https://talksport.com/sport/mma/923147/dana-white-ufc-net-worth-blackjack-boxing-bet-cabo-canelo/ |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-US}} White stated in 2024 that he plays high-stakes baccarat, and wagers up to {{USD|350,000|long=no}} per hand at Caesars Palace. He claims to have lost {{USD|8 million|long=no}} in one night, and from January to March 2024 to have won {{USD|26 million|long=no}} at Caesars Palace. White stated a "goal in life before I die" is for a casino to allow him to play {{USD|1 million|long=no}} per hand.{{Cite web |last=Shriber |first=Todd |date=2024-09-16 |title=Dana White 'Clipped' Caesars for $26M-$27M on Baccarat |url=https://www.casino.org/news/dana-white-clipped-caesars-for-26m-27m-on-baccarat/ |access-date=2024-11-01 |website=Casino.org |language=en-US}}

During a 2022 New Year's Eve party at a nightclub in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, White and his wife Anne were filmed arguing and then getting into a physical altercation with each other. Anne slapped White and White responded by slapping her in return. They both apologized for their actions, and said they had consumed too much alcohol that night.{{cite news |title=UFC president Dana White admits he hit wife in New Year's Eve altercation: 'There's no excuse' |url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/01/ufc-news-dana-white-admits-hitting-wife-in-new-years-eve-altercation-no-excuse |access-date=3 January 2023 |work=MMA Junkie |date=3 January 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Okamoto |first1=Brett |title=UFC's White on altercation with wife: 'No excuses' |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35368344/ufc-dana-white-apologizes-physical-altercation-wife |access-date=3 January 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=3 January 2023 |language=en}} The UFC did not respond or address White's actions after the incident. The California Legislative Women's Caucus sent a letter to Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor, the company that owns the UFC, requesting White be removed from his role in the UFC.{{Cite web |last=Krex |first=Azxa |date=2023-01-11 |title=Caucus Legislativo de Mujeres de California pide el despido de Dana White |url=https://mma.uno/el-caucus-legislativo-de-mujeres-de-california/ |access-date=2023-01-11 |website=MMA.uno, #1 En noticias de Artes Marciales Mixtas (MMA) en Español. |language=es}}{{cite news |last1=Okamoto |first1=Brett |title=CA women's caucus: Remove White as UFC head |url=https://www.espn.com/mma/story/_/id/35416130/california-legislative-women-caucus-calls-dana-white-removal-ufc-president |access-date=11 January 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=10 January 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Sheeler |first1=Andrew |title='Enough is enough.' California Legislative Women's Caucus demands UFC's Dana White be fired |url=https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article270994877.html |access-date=11 January 2023 |work=The Sacramento Bee |date=10 January 2023}}

In 2010, White donated {{USD|50,000|long=no}} for a liver transplant to Tuptim Jadnooleum, the daughter of "Kru Nai" Rattanachai, one of the instructors for Tiger Muay Thai and MMA in Phuket, Thailand.{{cite web|url=https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/01/ufc-dana-white-donation-saves-thai-girl-life |last=Marrocco |first=Steven |date=January 5, 2018 |title=Dana White opens up on $50,000 donation that helped save a young Thai girl's life |work=MMAjunkie.com |accessdate=October 12, 2019}} In 2011, White donated {{USD|100,000|long=no}} to his former high school to fund renovations to their athletic facilities. In 2017, White donated {{USD|1 million|long=no}} to the victims of the Las Vegas shooting.{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2736516-dana-white-ufc-donating-1-million-to-las-vegas-shooting-victims |last=Rondina |first=Steven |date=October 2, 2017 |title=Dana White: UFC Donating $1 Million to Las Vegas Shooting Victims |work=Bleacher Report |access-date=June 8, 2020}} In 2019, after UFC 242, Khabib Nurmagomedov raised {{USD|100,000|long=no}} for Dustin Poirier's charity, The Good Fight Foundation, White followed and also donated {{USD|100,000|long=no}} to Poirier's charity foundation.{{cite web|url=https://www.livingmma.com/news/khabib-nurmagomedov-dana-white-each-donate-100k-to-dustin-poiriers-charity|title=Khabib Nurmagomedov, Dana White each donate $100K to Dustin Poirier's charity|publisher=livingmma.com|date=14 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://www.givemesport.com/1505844-khabib-nurmagomedov-raises-100000-for-dustin-poiriers-charity|title=Khabib Nurmagomedov raises $100,000 for Dustin Poirier's charity|publisher=givemesports.com|date=14 August 2020}} In 2024, White donated {{USD|50,000|long=no}} towards the support of victims affected by the attempted assassination of former president Donald J. Trump during a rally held on July 13 in Butler, Pennsylvania.{{Cite web |last=Gordon, Bloomberg |first=Amanda |title=Kid Rock, Dana White and Ken Griffin donate to GoFundMe set up by Trump for victims of shooting |url=https://fortune.com/2024/07/15/kid-rock-dana-white-ken-griffin-gofundme-donald-trump-assassination-attempt-shooting-victims/ |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=Fortune |language=en}}

• Armed Forces Foundation
• Patriot Award (2009){{cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2009/03/19/ufcs-dana-white-accepts-patriot-award-for-humanitarian-efforts-to-raise-money-for-injured-soldiers|date=March 19, 2009|title=UFCs Dana White accepts Patriot Award for humanitarian efforts to raise money for injured soldiers|work=SB Nation|access-date=June 17, 2019}}
• World MMA Awards
• Leading Man of the Year (2008–24){{cite web|author=MMA Fighting Newswire|date=2022-12-09|url=https://www.mmafighting.com/2022/12/8/23499496/2022-world-mma-awards-results|title=2022 World MMA Awards Results|publisher=mmafighting.com|access-date=17 December 2022}}
• Wrestling Observer Newsletter
• Promoter of the Year (2005–13; 2015–16){{cite journal|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|author-link=Dave Meltzer|date=March 6, 2017|title=March 6, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: 2016 Awards issue, talent departing TNA, more|journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|location=Campbell, California|issn=1083-9593|page=26}}
• Other accomplishments
• Nevada Sportsman of the Year (2009){{cite web|url=http://mmajunkie.com/news/15646/dana-white-honored-as-sportsman-of-the-year-while-250k-awarded-to-the-caring-place.mma|date=July 27, 2009|title=Dana White honored as "Sportsman of the Year" while $250K awarded to The Caring Place|work=MMAjunkie.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731110120/http://mmajunkie.com/news/15646/dana-white-honored-as-sportsman-of-the-year-while-250k-awarded-to-the-caring-place.mma|access-date=June 17, 2019|archive-date=July 31, 2009}}

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