Shocking COVID Era ‘Fight’ Revealed by Dana White Among UFC Executives

During COVID-19, sports were shut down for long periods; however, the UFC functioned. Dana White recently revealed the challenges.

Shocking COVID Era ‘Fight’ Revealed by Dana White Among UFC Executives

Dana White talks about the COVID-era UFC ( The Washington Post, MMA Mania)

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In every major sport, there are defining moments where leadership decisions shape not just the present but also the long-term trajectory of the organization. For the UFC, the global pandemic was one of those moments, a time when the company had to balance public safety and the expectations of fans worldwide. UFC CEO Dana White has now revealed how tense things became behind the scenes.

This was a period when the UFC experimented with solutions like closed-door events and eventually developed UFC Fight Island, all while navigating restrictions and criticism. While all sports had shut down for long periods, White saw an opportunity and made UFC one of the first sports to stream during the COVID-19 pandemic.

White recently attended the IMPAULSIVE podcast hosted by influencer and WWE superstar Logan Paul. He revealed that even inside the company’s own boardrooms, tempers nearly boiled over. According to him, an internal meeting between executives became so heated that it almost erupted into a physical fight.

The dispute centered on whether continuing with events amid the global crisis was the right course of action. The UFC CEO explained that one executive in particular strongly opposed the idea of pushing ahead with shows. The pushback grew so intense that the individual decided to stay away from operations altogether for six to eight months.

One of our executives thought that it was absolutely not the right idea [to hold events during Covid] and fu***ng freaked out. [He stayed] at home for the next 6-8 months. I don’t wanna hear anything negative.

Dana White via IMPAULSIVE

Fight Island itself became one of the most memorable innovations of that era. Built on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, it was marketed as a secure and isolated venue where international fighters, such as Justin Gaethje and Khabib Nurmagomedov, among others, competed despite global travel restrictions. The idea captured the imagination of fans and gave the UFC a unique stage that stood out.

The conflict sheds light on the immense pressure sports organizations faced in keeping business alive while balancing health and safety. For the UFC, the stakes were especially high, with its entire identity built on live events and pay-per-view spectacles. White has long maintained that the promotion’s ability to press on during the pandemic became one of its defining achievements.

Dana White talks about how the UFC White House event will be set up

The UFC’s decision to host an event on the grounds of the White House marks one of the boldest ventures in sports history. Beyond the fights themselves, it represents the promotion’s ambition to blend cultural landmarks with its brand of entertainment.

By placing the Octagon in such a symbolic location, the UFC has positioned itself on a global stage in a way that few sports organizations have ever attempted.

Dana White talks about putting a cap on the live audience at the White House event
Dana White talks about the White House event (via X)

While there have been many speculations regarding which fighters will headline such an important event, Dana White has been busy with the technical aspects of the event. He recently revealed the layout of how the Octagon and seating will be set up around the historical area during his time on the IMPAULSIVE podcast.

We’re building this arch, and the lighting grid will go above the octagon. So when we shoot this fight, this whole backdrop will be the White House. And when the cameras move over, it’s all the Washington Monument. Then, there’s a park that sort of connects to the White House. We’ll have 85,000 people there with big screens. We’re gonna do concerts, we’re gonna do UFC X there.

Dana White via IMPAULSIVE

Dana White’s focus on atmosphere, fan engagement, and the overall spectacle showed that he views the event as more than just fights in a cage. By speaking in grand, visual terms, he framed the White House event as a symbol of how far the UFC has come, from being banned in many states to now hosting a show at one of the most recognizable sites in the world.

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