22 Years Later, Dana White Reveals How UFC Story Would Have Got Nipped in the Bud if Not Due to Frank Fertitta’s Request

Did you know that UFC’s CEO Dana White is an avid boxing fan? If not, there’s more in store for you. The UFC head honcho has played a key role in the MMA promotion’s success over the years. But what if we told you that this MMA titan was not always a fan of the sport that he now helms?

Now, after 22 years, Dana White recently made some startling revelations about how he got introduced to the fight game. The UFC CEO was recently featured in an exclusive Off-Air interview with eminent American radio host and actor Kurt Alexander, better known as Big Boy. During their conversation, Big Boy raised a million-dollar question that made White reminisce about his past. So, what was Big Boy’s question – and what does White’s response tell us about his love for the fight game? Let’s hear it from the UFC top gun himself.

Dana White sends fans into a frenzy with a surprising revelation about his love for the UFC

Dana White, the UFC CEO, recently sat down with Big Boy for an intriguing discussion over all things MMA. Offering an inside look at his career, and the story behind his inclusion into the UFC, the UFC top gun made a tantalizing confession.

Around the eighteen-minute mark, Big Boy asked White: “Were you a fan [of the UFC] early on too – before you got involved? Did you see something coming?”

White confessed that during the early years, he was a fervent boxing enthusiast, completely immersed in the sweet science. The UFC CEO revealed, “No, I watched the first one[UFC fight] like everybody did. Everybody heard about this thing. We watched the first one and then I never really thought about it again. Because I was such a huge fan of boxing – I mean, a student of boxing at the time”.

Read More: “He’s Punishing Him for the Nate Fight” – Fans React as Khamzat Chimaev Unloads on Dana White for Sitting Idle in the UFC

The nascent UFC did not initially capture his attention. He watched the first UFC event, like many others, out of curiosity. However, it didn’t leave a lasting impression, and he continued to focus on boxing. But destiny had other plans. It was a chance encounter with a UFC fighter named John Lewis that changed everything.

How UFC CEO Dana White got introduced to MMA

Elaborating on his early-life tales, Dana White made an intriguing confession. While out with Frank Fertitta(the founder of Zuffa LLC, formerly the parent entity of the UFC), White crossed paths with John Lewis, a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas.

White stated, “Frank Fertitta actually said, ‘I’ve always wanted to learn that ground stuff or whatever.’ [And] I said, ‘Me too.’ I said, ‘I know this guy. We’ll go talk to him.’ So, we went over and we talked to John Lewis that night and we set up an appointment with him from Monday to try Jiu-Jitsu.”

This fateful meeting led to White and Fertitta’s first Jiu-Jitsu lesson with John Lewis, igniting a passion for MMA within them. They soon found themselves training intensively, immersing themselves in the world of fighters who defied the stereotypes associated with the sport.

Dana White’s transition from a dedicated boxing enthusiast to a prominent figure in the world of MMA showcases the unpredictable nature of life’s journeys. It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most remarkable adventures begin with a simple chance encounter.

Today, as the leader of the UFC, Dana White continues to shape the future of MMA, all because he ventured into the uncharted territory of the Octagon, driven by curiosity and a twist of fate. What do make of this heartfelt memory shared by the UFC CEO? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!

Watch this Story: Dana White Discloses Elon Musk’s MMA Credentials Amid Mark Zuckerberg Callout