Ronda Rousey Talks Why Dana White – Donald Trump Friendship Doesn’t Effect UFC

Women's MMA pioneer Ronda Rousey talks about why Dana White's relationship with Donald Trump did not affect the UFC.

Ronda Rousey Talks Why Dana White – Donald Trump Friendship Doesn’t Effect UFC

Ronda Rousey talks about Dana White and Donald Trump's relationship (via MMA Weekly, The Guardian)

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Ronda Rousey has once again found herself in the headlines following recent comments regarding UFC CEO Dana White’s continued business success despite his open support of U.S. President Donald Trump. The discussion arose as part of a broader conversation comparing the public reception of prominent business figures whose political stances have sparked debate.

White’s association with Trump has been well-documented, with the two maintaining a close personal and professional relationship for years. Despite this, the UFC has seen consistent growth across revenue, viewership, and global reach. The organization continues to expand internationally with record-setting gate numbers and a steady rise in revenue.

By contrast, figures in other industries, such as Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, have faced more direct backlash over alignment with Trump. Tesla shares crashed by 17% after Musk started feuding with the American President. Rousey recently appeared on The Breakfast Club podcast, discussing a variety of topics, including the contrasting consumer groups while addressing Trump and White’s relationship.

Probably because the people that he’s selling to is a very different group. UFC fans and Tesla fans are, that Venn diagram is not a circle.

Ronda Rousey via The Breakfast Club

Over the past few years, White has maintained an active presence at political events, particularly during Trump’s campaigns, while simultaneously steering the UFC into one of its most profitable eras. While Trump has been a regular at UFC events and has been seen meeting up with fighters backstage and enjoying shows in the audience.

Amid these discussions, the UFC is preparing for an ambitious event set to take place at the White House in mid-2026 as part of America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. The event is set to take place in the South Lawn, and White has put a cap of 5,000 seats for the audience. While several prominent names have been linked to the card, Rousey confirmed she will not be returning on the historic card.

Ronda Rousey’s comments ultimately highlight how Dana White’s alignment with Donald Trump has had little effect on the UFC’s business momentum, revealing the sport’s unique audience dynamic. Unlike other industries where political affiliations can polarize consumers, White’s leadership and brand positioning have kept the UFC insulated from such divides.

Ronda Rousey reveals Dana White made her promise not to talk bad about Donald Trump

Dana White has long been an advocate for free speech among UFC fighters, often emphasizing that athletes within the organization are free to express their opinions, both in and out of competition. Over the years, he has defended fighters who voiced controversial views. However, recent revelations involving former champion Ronda Rousey have shed new light on the complexities behind that stance.

Dana White Ronda Rousey
Dana White Ronda Rousey (via MMA Fighting)

White’s close friendship with former U.S. President Donald Trump has been well-documented, dating back to Trump hosting early UFC events at his venues when the promotion struggled for mainstream recognition. In this context, Rousey’s recent comments about being asked not to criticize Trump add a nuanced layer to White’s views on freedom of expression within the organization.

I think it’s part of the history of the sport. In 2016, Dana White specifically made me promise to not say anything bad about Donald Trump because back when they needed a venue and no one would give it to them, he did. And because I feel like I owe Dana my life, I told him, ‘Alright.’

Ronda Rousey via News Nation

The situation highlights how personal relationships and business interests often intersect in professional sports. While the UFC has grown into a global powerhouse under Dana White’s leadership, instances like Ronda Rousey’s revelation show how corporate alliances can subtly influence public messaging.

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