Joe Rogan Recalls Dana White Increasing UFC Security After Clash With Russian Gangsters Over Historical Fight

Joe Rogan reveals a story about when UFC CEO Dana White had to increase security after Fedor Emelianenko's signing influenced Russian gangs.

Joe Rogan Recalls Dana White Increasing UFC Security After Clash With Russian Gangsters Over Historical Fight

Joe Rogan talks about how Dana White avoided Russian Mafia (via MMA Mania, Lowkick MMA)

In Short
  • Dana White faced challenges in signing Fedor Emelianenko due to interference from Russian gangsters.
  • The UFC had to increase security amid contentious negotiations over Emelianenko's contract.
  • Joe Rogan advocates for more weight classes in the UFC to enhance competition and fighter safety.

Dana White has led the UFC with determination, building it into the world’s largest MMA promotion. He has maintained strong relationships with most fighters, but a few proved difficult to manage. One notable example was Fedor Emelianenko, a top Russian heavyweight who never officially joined the UFC roster. A recent story highlighted by commentator Joe Rogan detailed White’s attempts to sign Emelianenko.

Emelianenko was a dominant MMA heavyweight in the 2000s, mainly in Pride and other major promotions. He defeated fighters such as Mirko Cro Cop, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Andrei Arlovski. Emelianenko compiled a record of forty wins and seven losses, remaining unbeaten for nearly a decade. He fought his final bout on February 4, 2023, losing to Ryan Bader, and then retired from MMA.

White tried to sign Emelianenko in the early 2010s for a superfight against then heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. Negotiations were complicated because Emelianenko was reportedly controlled by Russian figures seeking influence over his contract. These demands blocked the UFC from completing the deal. Rogan recently revisited the story on the Joe Rogan Experience while speaking with Terence Crawford.

UFC didn’t get Fedor. He was at the same time where Cain Velasquez was in his prime, and that was the fight they tried to put together. The UFC had to deal with Russian gangsters, and these gangsters wanted a piece of the promotion, which the UFC wasn’t willing to give. It got very contentious. The UFC had to increase security.

Joe Rogan via PowerfulJRE

Rogan’s revelation about Emelianenko highlights an instance in which the UFC dealt with external pressure from organized crime. Fighters negotiating internationally sometimes faced interference from parties seeking control over contracts. Former heavyweight champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson was reportedly summoned by a Japanese Yakuza boss, who were fans of his fights under the PRIDE banner.

‘The Last Emperor’ later described his meeting with White on an island as largely pointless because he was under contract with Strikeforce and could not sign a deal. He said signing would have left him unable to fight in either promotion or tied up in court. The meeting occurred while he was on vacation, offering no clear benefit. Emelianenko’s account highlights the contractual barriers that kept him out of the UFC.

Joe Rogan and Dana White have maintained a long professional relationship, with the podcaster serving as a commentator and adviser for the UFC. Their collaboration included fight analysis, promotion, and supporting UFC growth. While Rogan occasionally spoke about behind-the-scenes challenges, the UFC CEO largely trusted his insight. Their partnership highlights the operational and promotional sides of the UFC.

Joe Rogan vouches for more weight classes in the UFC

Dana White has consistently advocated for simple and streamlined weight classes in the UFC, defending the current system for many years. He often compares UFC divisions to those in boxing, noting that the large number of boxing weight classes can be confusing for fans. White believes the UFC’s weight classes are clearer, easier to follow, and provide more meaningful matchups.

Joe Rogan
Joe Rogan (via Politico)

Making weight has become increasingly difficult for fighters, with some experiencing injuries during extreme cuts. This was highlighted when UFC bantamweight Cameron Smotherman fainted at the UFC 324 weigh-ins, raising safety concerns. Incidents like this show the risks of the current weight structure. Joe Rogan recently suggested the UFC add more weight classes to reduce dangerous cutting practices.

This idea of only having eight champions in MMA is very, very limiting. … In MMA, if you win two belts, that’s crazy. That’s the only thing anybody’s ever done. The only people that have ever done it have done it in two weight classes.No one’s done it in three. If they had more options, and they had more weight classes, I think we’d have more competitive fights, we’d have less extreme weight cutting, we’d have healthier fighters. Just more champions is better. There’s a lot of guys that could be champions, it’s just there’s not a weight class for them.

Joe Rogan via PowerfulJRE

Champions are increasingly moving between divisions in pursuit of two-division success, showing the challenges of UFC’s current structure. Fighters like Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev, and Alex Pereira have captured titles in heavier weight classes. These moves highlight the demands of shifting weight classes and extreme cutting. Joe Rogan’s comments about adding more divisions tie to these trends.

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