Who is UFC owner Dana White and what is his relationship to Donald Trump?
Kenneth Fox
As US President-elect Donald Trump announced victory late last night after clinching Pennsylvania, the usual suspects appeared on stage beside him.
His wife Melania Trump, daughter Ivanka, sons Eric and Baron Trump and his Vice President pick JD Vance were all on stage alongside him.
While people may be accustomed to seeing the likes of billionaire Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr at his recent rallies, it was UFC owner Dana White who made the most impassioned speech last night.
Who is the billionaire behind the mixed martial arts juggernaut, and what is his connection to the next President of the United States?
Here is everything you need to know....
Who is Dana White?
Dana Frederick White Jr is an American businessman and chief executive of the global mixed martial arts organisation known as the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
In 2001, he struck a deal with brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta to buy UFC from Bob Meyrowitz and have himself installed as the new president of the company.
Since then, he has taken it from a fringe blood sport to a billion-dollar enterprise with events all over the world.
What is Dana White's relationship with Trump?
As he was getting things up and running in his new role, he turned to Donald Trump to find venues for his fights.
Both UFC 30 and 31 took place at what was then known as Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey. That was the beginning of a long-term friendship between the two businessmen which still stands today.
As Trump said in his speech last night: "So Dana started UFC and came to me because nobody wanted to give him arenas for it because it is a rough sport.
"I helped him out a little bit and I said 'this is the roughest sport I have seen' but I began to like it, and he loves it."
White was pictured with Trump and Musk last night as they waited for the votes to come in.
Has he officially endorsed Trump?
Back in 2016 when Donald Trump ran for the first time, White proudly backed Trump for President, saying: “Let me tell you three things that I respect about this man.
"First, Donald has great business instincts. He supports businesses of all sizes. He’ll make it possible for them to grow and succeed, which is the backbone of a strong economy.
“Second, Donald is a hard worker. This guy is going to get up there, he’s going to roll up his sleeves. He will work with people and he will put in the time to get things done.
“Third, for over 15 years, Donald Trump has been a loyal and supportive friend, and I know that if I needed Donald, he would be there for me, just like he was when I first met him."
He endorsed him once again in 2020 and 2024, as well as appearing at the Republican National Convention.
Last night, in his speech after Trump claimed victory, White said: "This is what happens when the machine comes after you. What you’ve seen over the last several years, this is what it looks like,” said White.
“Couldn’t stop him, he keeps going forward, he doesn’t quit, he’s the most resilient, hardworking man I’ve ever met in my life.… This is karma, he deserves this.”
“I want to thank the Nelk Boys, Adin Ross, Theo Von, Bussin’ With the Boys, and last but not least, the mighty and powerful Joe Rogan," making reference to popular podcasters and YouTubers that have supported Donald Trump.
What is his relationship with Conor McGregor?
It is fair to say that the UFC would not be the global phenomenon it is without the relationship between Dana White and Conor McGregor.
As the company was picking up steam and becoming more popular, the Irishman became a megastar due to his brash persona and pushed the sport into the mainstream.
While both of them have not always seen eye to eye, it is clear that the relationship is mutually beneficial.
McGregor was scheduled to fight for the first time since 2021 back in June but pulled out due to a broken toe.