Dana White Recalls Rejecting Sponsors from ‘Woke Period’: “Worst to Deal With”

UFC head honcho Dana White has harsh words regarding egoistic promoters that support "woke" ideologies.

Dana White Recalls Rejecting Sponsors from ‘Woke Period’: “Worst to Deal With”

Dana White talks about woke sponsors (via Variety)

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The UFC has made waves across the MMA community since its inauguration 32 years ago. The promotion has risen from rags to riches due to the hard work and smart business decisions by head honcho Dana White. However, the path to global success is mainly credited to White’s business mindset and decision-making. White recently spoke out on rejecting sponsors that did not agree with his mindset.

The UFC CEO appeared on Cutler Cast, which is a podcast hosted by four-time Mr. Olympia winner and bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler. White spoke out on a variety of topics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and teamwork. However, White revealed that he had had some bad experiences dealing with egoistic sponsors with “woke” ideologies.

There are sponsors that I don’t want. I actually got rid of one of our sponsors. Big f***ing sponsor, for big money. We went through the whole woke period, and they were the f***ing worst ever to deal with.

Dana White via Cutler Cast

White expressed his resentment regarding the “woke ideologies” of sponsors wanting to work with the UFC. However, White has always been outspoken regarding his choice to steer away from ‘wokeism’. He has spoken out about allowing the people of America to have the right to free speech and their own beliefs.

The UFC boss had also attacked what he calls the “woke nutty madness” of the COVID era, claiming that many individuals were unfairly canceled during that time. White’s association with conservative individuals, most notably American President Donald Trump, has reinforced his anti-woke image, with critics noting that the UFC has grown increasingly linked to right-wing media circles.

The relationship between Trump and White has always been public, with the American President sharing a profound and cordial relationship with the UFC. Trump had helped White when the sports world was snubbing the UFC during the early stages of development.

While he frequently portrays the UFC as a place where fighters have indefinite freedom of speech, critics have argued that this belief was only applied selectively, generally in ways that match with his own political beliefs. As a result, White has positioned the UFC not just as a leading combat sports organization, but also as a cultural  symbol of defiance to so-called “wokeness.”

Dana White offers opportunities for AEW and WWE aspirants in Power Slap

It is no secret that Dana White has always been a constant supporter of his promotion, Power Slap. The gruesome sport has garnered attention worldwide after being advertised by the UFC CEO on multiple occasions. However, White recently spoke out on opportunities for AEW and WWE aspirants in Power Slap.

Dana White talks about opportunities in Power Slap
Dana White talks about opportunities in Power Slap (via Bloody Elbow)

White explained the blueprint of Power Slap to Jay Cutler while talking about how the promotion has come up in the sport in such a short time. He believed that Power Slap has gained a massive and steady flow of new competitors as compared to other “knock off leagues”.

For instance, there is a bunch of people out there that want to get into the AEW and WWE, and these guys will jump off a ladder into a table full of tacks for 50 bucks a night. You can come into Power Slap and make a sh**load of money, and these guys are all big guys, tough guys, so we are looking at these guys that want to be professional wrestlers to come to the Power Slap.

Despite White’s support, the league has received intense criticism from medical professionals, fighters, and fans, who claim it encourages unnecessary brain trauma and benefits shock value above physical competition. However, White has defended the sport, arguing that it was safer than it seems, highlighting rules, knockout protocols, and fighter supervision.

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