Dana White is the founding father as well as the President of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and is also a famous American magnate. The UFC flourished and prospered after White handled the command of Martial Arts.
He popularized the sport among the people and soon UFC turned into a multi billion business. Soon, UFC gave a new meaning to the world of MMA. The name of Dana White is taken as a household name for all the fight fans.
UFC has got one of the most successful businessman as its president who has dedicated his time for the betterment of the organization. Today UFC’s name is associated with MMA only because of the guidance of White.
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Dana White Highlights
Highlighting some of the major achievements from Dana White’s career:
- In 1987 Dana White’s career got a kickstart. Dana bought UFC with the help of his childhood friend.
- The First UFC Live Fight on Tv was telecasted in the year 1997.
- In 2001 Dana was declared as the president of the the UFC.
- In 2010 UFC earned the revenue of $222766000 by breaking the pay per view industry all time record.
Dana White Net Worth
Dana White’s expected net worth is considered to be around $500 million. In 2016 Fertitta brothers were about to sell UFC for an amount of $6 billion. Dana owned 9% of UFC before selling the company.
In July 2016 UFC was sole to WWE-IMG for an amount of $4 billion. Therefore, the amount of Dana before taxes were approximately around $360 million before taxes. Dana makes around $18 million a year from 9% of profits from UFC.
Dana White Career
Dana White attended The University of Massachusetts but was unable to finish it. During his time in the University Dana opened a boxing program in the inner city for the children who are at risk. In order to meet his financial needs Dana worked as an aerobics instructor.
However, he shifted to Las Vegas and by 1992 established his own Dana White Enterprises. Dana also acted as the managers of Chuck Lidell and Tito Ortiz. Dana in also quite experienced in other fighting forms such as Muay Thai style and Mixed Martial Arts.
White reunited with his former school mate Lorenzo Fertitta in a wedding. Lorenzo was an executive at hotel and casino company Station Casinos. During the mid 90s White engaged in a deep argument with the UFC.
Semaphore Entertainment Group who managed the finances of UFC at that time was about to go bankrupt . Taking advantage of this opportunity White asked his childhood friend Lorenzo to make the deal.
Lorenzo along with his brother Frank took over 81% ownership in UFC by paying a sum of $2 million. Dana White was then given the command of UFC thus, making him the President of UFC.
White and his team in the coming years completely transformed the barbaric and illegal organization to an international platform. White continued to stay as the President of the organization even after its sale.
The business flourished under his leadership and was able to turn into a multi-billion dollar business. Later Dana was also the host of his Contender Series.
The show gives an opportunity to the fighters to showcase their skill and talent for making it to UFC one day. On March 18 2019 White revealed in one if his interviews that he had penned a seven year contract with ESPN to continue as the UFC President.
Dana White Early Life
Dana Frederick White Jr byname of Dana White was born on 28th July ,1969 in Manchester. He was born to June and Dana White and also has a sibling named Kelly. He and his sister were raised by his mother and grandparents as his father abandoned his family at a very early age.
Dana mostly travelled between Las Vegas and Maine when he was young. As a child White loved to play sports and boxing was one of his favorite sport. He is a huge fan of Boston Red Sox a baseball team. He studied in Maine in Hermon High School and got graduated in the year 1987.
Dana White Personal Life
White married his childhood girlfriend Anne. The two met each other when they were at eighth standard. In 1996 Anne and White got married. The name of their sons are Aidan and Dana III and the name of their daughter is Savannah. However, White has always been private about his family.
Dana does not believe in the existence of God and is an atheist. Although he was born in a catholic family. “Dana White King of MMA: An Unauthorized Biography” is a book written by June White which was released in 2011.
In the book June has mentioned about how Dana after his success as the president of UFC turned his back to his friends and family who supported him when he needed them the most.
White had also been diagnosed with neurological disorder known as Meniere’s Disease which developed after he engaged in a fight when he was young. White strongly supports Donald Trump for the 2020 US Presidential election.
In 2016 White supported Donald Trump for the elections and claims that Trump is one of the early supporter of UFC, allowing its first major event to be held at one of his properties.
In 2010 White donated $50000 dollars for the liver transplant of Tuptim Jadnooleum the daughter of his instructor for Tiger Muay Thai. In 2011 he also donated a sum of $10000 in order to renovate his former school.
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Conclusion
Dana White’s passion and dedication led to the growth of UFC. From the verge of growing bankrupt to a multi-billion industry White has hugely contributed in the success of UFC. His smart business skills and passion for martial arts made UFC reach billion of people worldwide.
Dana motivates his followers and supporters by saying that one should try to make money from something we love and are passionate about. Putting our dedication and hard work is the key to success.