The anticipation builds as the UFC’s 30-year anniversary approaches and Dana White’s 23rd year as president nears its conclusion in less than four months. The pinnacle event, UFC 295, is headlined by the long-awaited heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. Numerous events are expected to precede it, but the end-of-year schedule promises to be one of the most remarkable in the company’s history.
Speaking to TNT Sports’ Adam Catterall before UFC London, the man who has guided the UFC since 2001 took a moment to reminisce about his cherished moments and envisions a future that’s brimming with emotions and excitement.
Dana White reflects on 30 years of success hinting epic anniversary event
“There’s so many [great moments],” White said. “Obviously buying the company, and then, you know, trying to get it back on pay-per-view. Getting our first television deal on Spike. Then getting FOX. Then ESPN.”
”Doing the big arenas,” White continued. “Doing Madison Square Garden for the first time. Doing the O2 [Arena] for the first time. Going into these different countries. It’s just been so many incredible moments.”
It wasn’t just television deals that seemed to have fueled his determination to expand the sport, he revealed. Dana hinted at early plans for UFC 300, but the final roster of competitors could significantly impact the upcoming pay-per-view schedule.
As the UFC follows its path, UFC 300 will probably deviate from the timing of its two previous milestone events, UFC 200 in 2016 and UFC 100 in 2009, both held in July. Instead, UFC 300 is likely to take place in April 2024, though nothing is set in stone yet.
The UFC has been staging events pretty much every weekend since June, and there’s no sign of slowing down. After UFC London, featuring the thrilling headliner between Tom Aspinall and Marcin Tybura, UFC 291 is expected to host an epic clash between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje the following week.
In August, the promotion’s journey should take us to Nashville, Boston, and Singapore, all while hosting thrilling events in Las Vegas.
When did Dana White become UFC president?
Back in the early days of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, both the promotion itself and Dana White, its ‘to be’ president, were far from wielding any significant influence in the realm of combat sports. It was only in 2001 that White took the helm of this MMA venture.
According to The Manual’s report, Dana White ascended to the position of UFC president when his friends, Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, acquired the company from Semaphore Entertainment Group for a little over $2 million. At that time, the Fertitta brothers were already well-established entrepreneurs, having achieved success with their chain of casinos.
In a candid interview in 2020, the 53-year-old Dana White recounted the circumstances that led to the Fertittas’ decision to purchase the UFC. It was during his tenure as Tito Ortiz’s manager that White came to realize that the UFC was within reach, and this realization eventually set the wheels in motion for the Fertittas’ transformative acquisition.
What are your thoughts regarding UFC’s journey so far? Let us know in the comment section below.
