Dana White, the mastermind behind the multibillion-dollar UFC promotion, has continued to ride a wave of success throughout 2024 with his strategic business moves. But the head honcho is not stopping at MMA—he’s now making waves in the boxing world, a journey that began with the recent boxing match in Ireland between rising star Callum Walsh and Przemyslaw Runowski.

Moreover, White’s influence expanded with the ground-breaking UFC 306 event at the iconic ‘Sphere’. His efforts transformed this primary entertainment venue, typically used for movie screenings and concerts, into a UFC arena, further solidifying his reputation as a master of business promotion in the sports industry. However, despite his many triumphs, Dana White’s business journey has had its fair share of blunders and hidden controversies. As the year comes to a close and we approach 2025, let’s take a moment to reflect on some of the mistakes the UFC CEO has made. Let’s dive in.

Many controversial decisions in 2024

As the saying goes, “

Sports without controversy is like a game without a winner,” and nowhere is this truer than in combat sports, particularly in the UFC. Every year, their share of contentious moments accompany the promotion’s blockbuster events, and this year was no exception. Let’s dive into some of the most controversial decisions that raised eyebrows.

First, there was the split-decision victory for Julianna Pena over Raquel Pennington at UFC 307. A staggering 95% of fans questioned the judges’ scorecards, with Pennington herself expressing her confusion. In an interview, she stated, “Nobody understands.” High-profile figures like Dana White, Joe Rogan, and Daniel Cormier also weighed in, echoing Pennington’s frustration. While Pena showed strength in the early rounds, Pennington’s solid comeback left many believing she deserved the win.

The controversy didn’t end there. At UFC 308, Rinat Fakhretdinov’s unanimous victory over Carlos Leal sparked further debate. Fans and analysts were vocal in their disapproval of the result, with the media widely opposing the judges’ decision. This growing dissatisfaction boiled over during UFC on ESPN+ 97, when controversy also surrounded Christian Rodriguez’s win over Isaac Dulgarian.

Lastly, at UFC 310, another questionable decision overshadowed the heavyweight battle between Ciryl Gane and Alexander Volkov. ‘Drago’ delivered what many considered a flawless performance, yet two out of three judges awarded the win to Gane. This left the French fighter visibly disappointed as he walked away from the Octagon, highlighting ongoing concerns about the UFC judging and officiating.

These controversial decisions have fueled further debate within the MMA community, only intensifying the conversation about the integrity of the sport’s officiating. Amid all the controversy surrounding the sport, let’s now turn our attention to another major misstep.

UFC rankings certainly need to improve

If you’re a dedicated UFC fan, you’re likely already aware of Dana White‘s strong stance on the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. All year, the UFC boss has been outspoken, repeatedly asserting, “Jon Jones is the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter.” His push to position the reigning UFC heavyweight champion at the top has sparked significant criticism, but White remains undeterred. However, the current ranking panel disagrees, placing UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in the top spot.

This frustration led White to once again challenge the ranking panel after the November update, even threatening to change the system with the assistance of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “I have to get rid of these clowns,” White declared. Despite his efforts, multiple factors play into the ranking system, and Jones’ inconsistent activity has kept him from clinching the #1 spot. Now, it remains to be seen when the UFC head honcho will roll out an AI-based ranking system for his multibillion-dollar promotion.

The UFC heavyweight division needs an active champ

As mentioned earlier, Jon Jones, despite being a legendary figure and one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history, has seen his achievements tainted by inconsistency over the years. His legal troubles and personal struggles have often overshadowed his nearly two-decade-long career. However, after moving up to the heavyweight division, ‘Bones’ remained inconsistent but managed to capture the title belt. He was set to defend his title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 295 last year, but an injury forced the fight to be postponed. Instead, the interim title bout between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich took place at the 2023 UFC annual event in Madison Square Garden.

Now, more than a year has passed since that fight, and Tom Aspinall is still waiting for a title unification match. Meanwhile, Jones successfully defended his title against Miocic in a blockbuster comeback this November at MSG. Instead of focusing on unifying the title with Aspinall, ‘Bones’ has shifted his attention to Alex Pereira, whom he calls a “dangerous and established opponent.” White, however, has downplayed Jones’ shift in focus. As things stand, the heavyweight title unification fight remains unclear, and the chances of it happening anytime soon seem to be fading.

Is the UFC not letting Conor McGregor fight?

It’s tough to picture the UFC without Conor McGregor, who marked three years of absence from the Octagon this year. Fans have eagerly awaited the UFC superstar’s return. Earlier this year, Dana White and the UFC actively worked to bring ‘The Notorious’ back for UFC 303, where he was to face Michael Chandler. However, a “pinky toe” injury derailed the fight, leaving the Irishman’s uncertain. Chandler, who had paused his career for 18 months while waiting for McGregor, has since moved on.

Although McGregor reportedly fixed his toe and is back in fighting shape, White has yet to make an official announcement, leaving fans frustrated. In September, the UFC boss stated, “Conor McGregor will fight next year, early 2025.” But just a few months later, White shifted his stance, saying, “I see it being sometime in the later part of next year,” raising questions among fans. Many are now wondering why the head honcho is delaying ‘Mystic Mac’s’ return, especially when McGregor is ready to fight.

Reports have linked the Dubliner to a potential boxing match against Logan Paul in India, though details remain unconfirmed. As ‘The Notorious’ nears the twilight of his career, the lingering question remains: When will he return to the Octagon? Can he recapture his past glory, or has his UFC career come to an end?

Now, as we conclude our list, it’s clear that the UFC and Dana White have found themselves in a bit of a bind. While controversial decisions from judges and state athletic commission authorities contribute to the problem, there’s more at play. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the heavyweight division and Conor McGregor’s long-awaited return add to the ongoing challenges. At this point, it’s evident that the head honcho should have taken decisive action. What’s your perspective? Share your thoughts below.