“There were more people in my green room than the fight!” Dana White berates PFL for ‘buy 2 get 2 free’ memos to sell tickets

UFC CEO Dana White dismisses PFL and Bellator even after the promotions merged.

“There were more people in my green room than the fight!” Dana White berates PFL for ‘buy 2 get 2 free’ memos to sell tickets

Dana White (Image via: IMAGO)

The PFL acquisition of Bellator made the promotion the second-largest MMA promotion behind the UFC. PFL founder Donn Davis even claimed they were co-leaders of the MMA industry. However, Dana White has repeatedly stated that it is not the case. White reiterated his beliefs at the press conference of UFC 300.

Ever since the UFC became the premier MMA promotion in the world, Dana White has dismissed the status of rival promotions. According to White, his rivals are nowhere near his promotion in terms of production, promotion, and popularity. Therefore, it was not a surprise to see the UFC CEO bash Bellator when the name of the promotion came up concerning doing an event in Hawaii.

Bellator could put on a fucking fight in the parking lot, dude....'PFLator' was here on Friday...I didn't know till fucking Friday. They were selling tickets buy two, get two free. I'm not busting on them, that's a fucking fact. They put out a memo, buy two, get two free. You're having a bad fucking week if those are the memos you're putting out. There were more people in my fucking green room tonight than there were at the fight.
Dana White via the UFC 300 post-fight press conference
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When PFL acquired Bellator, White disregarded the move and stated that nobody watched PFL and Bellator. Moreover, he even questioned the selling capability of both promotions. White always takes pride in the fast and efficient production of the UFC. Both PFL and Bellator, particularly PFL, have had issues with slow-paced production.

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Nonetheless, after the merger, the PFL vs. Bellator: Champs event was a big event in Saudi Arabia. However, the recent PFL 2 of the 2024 season attracted controversy for the commentary rather than the card itself. The event had exciting fights, but commentator Sean O’Connell made a controversial mistake that went viral. O’Connell’s joke about Rob Wilkinson‘s alleged steroid use aired on the live broadcast. As of now, rival promotions have a long way to go before reaching the UFC level.

Dana White explains the reason for prohibiting UFC Hawaii

The UFC recently announced the promotion’s entry to Saudi Arabia with a PPV-level fight night card headlined by Robert Whittaker and Khamzat Chimaev. However, the UFC has never been to Hawaii, the home of superstars like BJ Penn and Max Holloway.

Dana White on UFC Hawaii
Dana White on UFC Hawaii (Image via: IMAGO)

Hawaii is one of White’s dream locations. Nonetheless, even when BJ Penn was one of the pound-for-pound best, the UFC could not hold events in Hawaii. Even now, with Max Holloway, it is still impossible for the UFC to host an event in Hawaii. White explained the reasons for it recently.

They [The state of Hawaii]  don't have the infrastructure for a fight over there. Just, we can't do it.
Dana White via the UFC 300 post-fight press conference

Max Holloway had also shared a similar sentiment on multiple occasions. Holloway said there is a venue, but the relatively poor population in the state could not afford to go there. Nevertheless, White is extremely grateful for the support and fighters that Hawaii has provided to the UFC.

White indeed revealed that they could do UFC-Apex level cards in Hawaii. However, White did not want to do an inferior card in the promotion’s debut at a new place. Whenever the UFC entered new markets, they have always stacked up the card with exciting fighters and hometown favorites. It remains to be seen if the UFC ever goes to Hawaii.

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