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Dana White Defends Trump Ties, Announces UFC White House Fight

3/3/2026

31 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

UFC CEO Dana White defended his ties to U.S. President Donald Trump on CBS's Sunday Morning, saying authenticity matters and fans will not be alienated.
White said Trump has backed UFC since White acquired it in 2001, helping the promotion rise from near bankruptcy.
He said politics should not be kept out of sports and announced a UFC fight on the White House lawn scheduled for June 14, Trump's birthday.

History

Historical Context

In January 2001, Zuffa, led by Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, acquired the UFC for $2 million, revitalizing the organization from near bankruptcy. Under Dana White's leadership, the UFC grew significantly, aided by Donald Trump's early support and lucrative pay-per-view deals. This partnership illustrates the increasing intersection of sports and politics, shaping the UFC's trajectory into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.

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Story summary

UFC CEO Dana White defended his ties to U.S. President Donald Trump on CBS's Sunday Morning, saying authenticity matters and fans will not be alienated.
White said Trump has backed UFC since White acquired it in 2001, helping the promotion rise from near bankruptcy.
He said politics should not be kept out of sports and announced a UFC fight on the White House lawn scheduled for June 14, Trump's birthday.

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