“I’m a big believer in free speech.” Dana White made that declaration loud and clear during UFC 312. And if you take a look at the way UFC events are shaping up, that “free speech” might just be reserved for influencers and internet stars, because the head honcho sees a future where traditional media is wiped clean off the map.

“I see a day not too long from here when the whole media section is gone. There is no media section,” the UFC CEO proclaimed. And if you’re a journalist clutching your press pass, that’s probably a gut punch. But for influencers like the NELK Boys and Adin Ross? It’s the jackpot.

UFC CEO isn’t just throwing wild ideas into the air, he’s actively making them happen. The NELK Boys have already been enjoying VIP status in the UFC for years. What started as a casual bar meeting between Kyle Forgeard and White’s son has turned into a lucrative partnership. They’ve got inside access, fighter interviews, and let’s not forget those viral moments, like the UFC boss casually handing Forgeard $250,000 as a birthday present. That’s a little different from the media treatment, where reporters are more likely to get a verbal body slam from the UFC boss than a six-figure gift.

And it’s not just the NELK Boys getting a seat at the table. Adin Ross, the Kick streamer who somehow always finds himself at the center of internet controversy, is sliding right into the UFC’s world. His upcoming livestream with Islam Makhachev? Just another sign that influencers aren’t just guests in this space, they’re becoming the new face of UFC coverage. Ross’s streaming numbers are wild, his comeback broadcast alone raked in over 228,000 viewers. Compare that to a dying sports journalist still trying to scrape together clicks, and you can see why White might be looking to switch things up.

Is Dana White’s longstanding feud with traditional media driving this shift?

Of course, Dana White’s love for influencers isn’t just about eyeballs, it’s about replacing the people he’s been at war with for years. If there’s one thing he enjoys as much as promoting fights, it’s absolutely torching journalists. His latest targets? The Australian media, who apparently hit a nerve during UFC 312.

White zeroed in on two stories that had him seeing red. One was a headline from the Daily Telegraph Sport that straight-up called for Sean Strickland to get “knocked out.” The other? A journalist whining that White’s presence next to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns made them feel physically sick. White, never one to hold back, unloaded, “You guys have to have the biggest p–ssies of all time in the media here. We were reading the story in the back and cracking up. That guy’s got to be the biggest f–king wimp on planet Earth.”

The UFC head honcho has never hidden his disdain for reporters who criticize fighter pay, event decisions, or, heaven forbid, him. And now, rather than dealing with them, he’s building a UFC where they don’t even exist. Instead of media dissecting fight outcomes and controversial calls, we’ll have the NELK Boys shotgun beers with fighters post-knockout and Adin Ross asking the #1 P4P contender how many likes it takes to become a UFC champion.

So, is this the future of fight coverage? If White has his way, absolutely. MMA journalists might want to start exploring new career options. Because soon enough, the only people cage-side will be influencers with millions of followers and an all-access pass. And really, why read a deep dive on fighter pay disputes when you could watch a viral clip of Adin Ross awkwardly dapping up Dana White? What do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!