$2M to $12.3B! Joe Rogan Demands More Respect for Dana White Despite Controversies Surrounding UFC

Is UFC a fan-favorite blockbuster because of Dana White? Joe Rogan and Dana White’s relationship goes way back in the UFC world and they have a pretty strong friendship even though they do not see eye to eye sometimes. However, Joe Rogan admitted the UFC CEO’s contribution to the promotion recently in his podcast and gushed over how White made UFC what it is today. This is true since White bought UFC for $2 million and today its value stands at a whopping $12.3 billion!

The recent JRE MMA show #159 with Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson was all about MMA, UFC’s future, and what Dana White did for the promotion. Let’s see how that conversation went.

Joe Rogan praises the genius of Dana White

UFC is already soaring new heights as we speak, with successful PPVs like UFC 303 and the others, along with the much-anticipated UFC 306 which will take place at The Sphere. White has surpassed all kinds of hurdles from fighters withdrawing at the last moment to worldwide pandemics breaking out. However, UFC has never failed to amaze the audience.

The UFC color commentator could not help but compliment his comrade in the game saying that he brought the UFC to where it is today. In the latest JRE show, Jackson  said, “Say what you want about Uncle Dana but he did a lot for this sport.”

Rogan agreed instantly and replied, “Oh my God, without him, this wouldn’t be possible. Like you see what happens to these other organizations with regular dudes, running them, they all folded up they fall apart. You know, like UFC has the name in the beginning, but they ran with it after that.”

He then gave the example of PRIDE FC being much bigger than UFC, especially in Japan, and even in 1997 it was popular. It filled 90,000 capacity stadiums at that time, however, UFC caught up soon when White acquired it in 2001. When White and the Fertitta brothers received the promotion they just got the brand name “UFC” so essentially he built it from scratch. Sadly PRIDE FC ended in 2007 because of financial difficulties and alleged connections to the Yakuza. But the UFC continued to expand under White’s captaincy.

Now that UFC is all people talk about, Dana White wants to keep it that way. He has given back-to-back promotions that earned more than the previous ones and UFC 306 is poised to be his crown jewel among PPVs of 2024.

Dana White might make UFC 306 bigger than UFC 300

UFC 300 saw marvelous fights like Alex Pereira‘ vs Jamahl Hill and Max Holloway‘s magnificent knockout of Justin Gaethje. However, UFC 306 will surpass this according to White and even Chael Sonnen. UFC 300 set a record gate revenue that was soon surpassed by UFC 303 and UFC 306 might soon surpass this!

The event is going to be hosted at The Sphere which is the highest sensation in Las Vegas right now. Since many fighters such as Conor McGregor, Sean O’Malley, and Michael Chandler, wanted a fight there, the UFC boss decided it was time to grant their wishes. The event is also happening on the Mexican Independence Day which makes it even bigger. So the big day is going to be celebrated at The Sphere with some of the most amazing fights like Sean O’Malley and Ilia Topuria defending their titles.

Dana White is reaching new heights with his fighters and Rogan was sure to appreciate that. What do you think the future holds for UFC?