UFC President Dana White shows unexpected compassion behind his tough exterior, quietly supporting fighters in their darkest moments even after severing professional ties.
At a Glance
- Dana White has financially assisted fighters during personal crises, even those no longer with the UFC
- White helped Muhammad Mokaev after a serious car crash despite previously cutting him from the organization
- The UFC president paid former champion Cain Velasquez’s $1 million bail during his legal troubles
- While cutting dozens of fighters from UFC rosters, White has shown a surprising compassionate side
The Iron Fist of UFC Management
Dana White’s reputation as a cutthroat business leader is well-established in the MMA world. Recently, the UFC president cut 12 fighters from the organization, including former world title challenger Ovince Saint Preux, who once faced Jon Jones for the interim light heavyweight championship. Brian Kelleher, previously ranked 15th in the bantamweight division, was also among those released as part of White’s roster management strategy.
These cuts continue a pattern of tough business decisions that have defined White’s leadership. In late 2020, amid financial pressures intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, White announced plans for significant roster reductions, citing an inflated fighter pool.
“We’re gonna go through some serious cuts here at the end of the year,” White stated. “Probably gonna have 60 cuts coming up before the first of the year. … Our roster is very inflated right now. We’re gonna have some big cuts coming before the end of the year. You’re gonna see a lot of names going here in the next couple of weeks.”
Unexpected Acts of Generosity
Despite his tough business decisions, a different side of Dana White emerges in moments of crisis. Muhammad Mokaev, a promising MMA fighter who had been cut from the UFC due to behavioral issues, received unexpected financial assistance from White following a serious car accident. The gesture revealed a compassionate dimension to White’s character that often remains hidden behind his stern public persona.
“When I had [a] car crash after being cut from UFC, I received some money from Dana too. [I’m] not sure what for, but it meant a lot to me,” Mokaev revealed, highlighting White’s willingness to support fighters even after their professional relationship with the UFC has ended.
Standing by a Former Champion
White’s support extends beyond financial assistance to former fighters. When former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez faced serious legal troubles, White took significant steps to help. According to Velasquez, White contributed substantially to his legal defense by covering his $1 million bail, demonstrating loyalty to a fighter who had brought tremendous value to the organization during his career.
“I don’t know if he gave out a statement or something beforehand, when I was locked up, And also, he did pay my bail as well,” Velasquez acknowledged, confirming White’s behind-the-scenes support during his legal challenges.
Balancing Business and Compassion
White’s dual approach to fighter management reflects the complex reality of running a major sports organization. While the UFC under White’s leadership has made difficult cuts, including the recent release of a dozen fighters from the Contender Series development program, his personal interventions in times of crisis show a more nuanced character than his public image might suggest.
“These are the tough decisions you’ve gotta make,” White has said regarding roster cuts, acknowledging the difficult balance between business necessities and personal relationships in the fight game. This approach has helped the UFC weather financial challenges, including those brought on by the pandemic when the organization resumed events in May 2020 and maintained a consistent schedule despite the absence of live audiences.
White’s management style combines ruthless business decisions with surprising moments of generosity, painting a picture of a leader whose public persona masks a more complex approach to the fighters who have built the UFC into the powerhouse it is today.
