UFC Legend Tito Ortiz Reveals ‘Ruffling Feathers’ of Dana White by Speaking Up for Fighters

Despite beginning on good terms, Tito Ortiz‘s relationship with his former manager, Dana White, has become increasingly strained. As one of the biggest stars during the UFC’s early ascent, the former light heavyweight champion found himself at odds with the promotion as time went on. Recently, the Team Punishment fighter ripped into his ex-manager as he criticized the UFC’s fighter compensation.

Ortiz revealed that he and the UFC CEO didn’t have a relationship at all now. He accused the veteran promoter of constantly undermining his intelligence. However, the former UFC fighter also said that he didn’t carry hate for his former manager, even acknowledging White as a great promoter. Even so, the ‘People’s Champ’ did not have nice things to say about the way he treats his employees.

The 51-year-old explained that his relationship with White began to decline the moment he became vocal about his pay. The former champion revealed that he wanted a bigger share of the profits the company was making from his fights. However, all that happened when he demanded it was the implosion of his relationship with the brass.

I was like, all right, if this is how you negotiate, I gotta make sure that when I negotiate with him, I don’t ruffle his feathers too much. Well, that didn’t happen…I spoke up a little more. And I think that’s when I really kind of broke our friendship is when I started talking up even more about how fighters should get paid. They should be making more money.

Tito Ortiz via Outkick’s Tomi Lahren is Fearless

Tito Ortiz talks Dana White and history of their feud. Wishes he was invited to the #UFCWhiteHouse event.pic.twitter.com/VoOCzK59C4

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 22, 2026

Dana White has faced a lot of backlash for the UFC’s fighter compensation over the years. Recently, this criticism hit a fever pitch when even former champions hit out at the company for shelling out $15 million to sign Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing. Sean O’Malley lamented the amount of effort and money his employers were spending on the English boxer.

That said, Tito Ortiz alleged that his former manager was being petty in this rivalry. ‘The Huntington Beach Bad Boy’ claimed that he wanted to attend the White House card, but also revealed what was stopping him.

Tito Ortiz reveals the petty nature of Dana White rivalry

The upcoming UFC Freedom 250 event is set to be one of the biggest cards in the company’s history. Ilia Topuria defends his lightweight title against Justin Gaethje in the main event, and the card also features double champion Alex Pereira moving up to heavyweight to become a triple champion by beating Ciryl Gane. This event is expected to be attended by several high-profile guests.

However, one person who likely will not be present at the South Lawn on June 14 is former UFC champion Tito Ortiz. The former Mayor pro tempore of Huntington Beach said that even though he wanted to attend the event, he was not invited to it. He then made the shocking revelation that he never receives tickets for UFC events to Outkick’s Tomi Lahren.

I wish I was invited to the White House card. I’m not…I don’t get tickets. I gotta pay for my own tickets when I do want to go….The last time they had a Miami event, or excuse me, two events they had in Miami event here in Florida. I had to pay a thousand dollars for a ticket…It’s just petty, it’s really petty.

Tito Ortiz via Outkick’s Tomi Lahren is Fearless

The retired MMA legend alleged that this isn’t the same for other fighters. He revealed that, though he is forced to shell out his own money to attend UFC events, ex-fighters on Dana White’s good side still get to attend these events for free.

Ultimately, he conceded that this comes with the territory of being the UFC CEO’s enemy. The 51-year-old actually warned others from getting on the veteran promoter’s bad side. That said, it does not appear that this feud between Ortiz and his ex-manager Dana White is getting resolved anytime soon.

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