The UFC owes much of its massive success to Dana White and the Fertitta brothers, who turned the promotion into a $12 billion powerhouse. But that success doesn’t come without its critics. While many admire Dana for his vision and leadership, he often faces criticism regarding fighter pay. However, former UFC star Chael Sonnen recently offered a rare compliment to the head honcho, highlighting a key achievement of the UFC that even boxing has struggled to replicate.

In an interview featuring Mike Soccio, ‘The Bad Guy’ praised White for normalizing a practice that’s become a defining characteristic of MMA. Sonnen pointed out the difference between the UFC and boxing promotions, explaining how White has created a culture where fighters are expected to earn their opportunities without being protected. He said, “Dana will not come off of that—nobody gets protected. But if you come down to three guys, and you’re sitting down saying, ‘OK, it can be any of these three, who gets the nod?’ That’s where the mandate of the masses comes in.”

He went on to explain how the UFC allows for some flexibility in matchmaking, where the fans’ opinions are taken into account, but ultimately, it’s the fighters’ performances that determine their fate. This contrasts with boxing, which often shields fighters from losses to maintain an unblemished record. Sonnen elaborated, saying, “In boxing, you’ll find managers who will get a fighter to 20-0 just by paying a little extra. It’s a system that protects records.”

Then, Sonnen shared a powerful backhanded compliment from a boxer, who recognized Dana White’s most significant achievement: “The greatest thing Dana has ever done that nobody’s recognized is that he made losing acceptable. In boxing, if you lose, don’t talk about a title shot. But in the UFC, losing doesn’t automatically mean the end of your career. You can lose and still move up the ranks, which has reshaped the sport.”

It is safe to say that White has made sure that the UFC is about long-term progression, not just instant success. Additionally, White’s approach to running the UFC is meticulously strategic. He has a War Room, a dedicated space where he and his team map out the future of the promotion.

A Look into Dana White’s War Rooms

The War Room is an integral part of the UFC’s strategic planning, a dedicated space where matchmakers, executives, and Dana White come together to craft the most exciting and competitive matchups. These rooms are equipped with massive magnetic boards, each representing an upcoming fight card, allowing the team to visualize and discuss the perfect pairings for each event. The complexity and scope of UFC events, such as UFC 306, showcase just how much goes into making each card a success, and the War Room is where all those pieces come together.

Dana White, during a June 2023 appearance on My Mom’s Basement with Robbie Fox, confirmed the existence of multiple War Rooms at UFC headquarters. He revealed that the UFC War Room isn’t the only one of its kind in the building. His Power Slap venture, which he co-founded, has its own War Room dedicated to planning matchups for that promotion. And according to White, there is now a third War Room being created for a new, yet-to-be-announced project.

Despite this level of meticulous planning, there’s still ongoing criticism about fighter pay, especially with high-profile champions like Sean Strickland voicing their concerns. Many argue that while UFC has achieved incredible financial success, the fighters—who are the heart of the promotion—still aren’t compensated adequately. If White were to address this issue by improving fighter pay, it could further bridge a key gap in the promotion’s structure.

The key challenge remains: can the UFC balance its financial success with fighter compensation to ensure long-term sustainability and happiness for its talent? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!