History of Dana White in Timeline
Dana White is an American businessman known for his role as the CEO and president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He has been instrumental in the growth of MMA into a global phenomenon. In addition to the UFC, White also owns Power Slap, a slap fighting promotion. As of August 2019, his net worth was estimated at $500 million.
July 28, 1969: Birth of Dana White
Dana Frederick White Jr. was born on July 28, 1969.
1987: Dana White Graduates High School and Begins Working Various Jobs
After graduating from Hermon High School in 1987, White briefly attended college twice before dropping out. He held various jobs during this time, including laying asphalt, working as a bouncer, and being a bellhop.
1996: Dana White Marries Anne Stella
Dana White and Anne Stella were married in 1996. They had met in eighth grade.
1998: Dana White Starts Brazilian Jiu-jitsu
White began taking Brazilian Jiu-jitsu classes in 1998.
January 2001: Dana White Becomes President of the UFC
In January 2001, White, along with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, purchased the UFC for $2 million. White was then installed as the president of the company.
2006: Dana White Purchases Mansion from Frank Fertitta III
In 2006, White purchased a mansion located in Las Vegas from Frank Fertitta III for $1.95 million.
2007: Dana White Loses $1 Million on a Boxing Match
In 2007, White placed a $1 million bet on Jermain Taylor to win against Kelly Pavlik, which Taylor lost.
2011: Donation to Former High School for Athletic Facility Renovations
In 2011, Dana White donated $100,000 to his former high school to fund renovations and improvements to their athletic facilities.
2011: Dana White States Women Will "Never" Compete in the UFC
In 2011, Dana White famously stated that women would "never" compete in the UFC, a statement he would later retract.
2011: Release of "Dana White, King of MMA: An Unauthorized Biography"
June White, Dana White's mother, published "Dana White, King of MMA: An Unauthorized Biography." The book made claims that White had distanced himself from family and friends after his success with the UFC.
May 2012: Dana White Diagnosed with Ménière's Disease
In May 2012, White announced he had been diagnosed with Ménière's disease, an inner ear disorder, which he attributes to a past fight.
February 2013: First Women's UFC Bout
The first women's UFC bout took place in February 2013, with Ronda Rousey facing Liz Carmouche.
2015: The UFC's Gross Revenue Reaches $600 Million
In 2015, the UFC, under White's leadership, achieved a gross revenue of $600 million, marking its growth into a highly successful business.
July 2016: Zuffa, Parent Company of the UFC, Sold for $4.025 Billion
In July 2016, Zuffa, the parent company of the UFC, was sold to a group of investors for $4.025 Billion. At the time, White owned 9% of the company.
October 2016: Dana White Purchases Multiple Mansions
From October 2016 to June 2017, White purchased three mansions in the same area for a combined total of $6.2 million.
2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention
Dana White publicly endorsed Donald Trump at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio. He expressed gratitude for Trump's early support of the UFC, recalling how Trump allowed them to host their first event under Zuffa ownership at the Trump Taj Mahal when other venues declined.
May 2017: Launch of Dana White's Contender Series
In May 2017, Dana White's Contender Series, a platform for up-and-coming fighters, was launched exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.
June 2017: Dana White Purchases Multiple Mansions
From October 2016 to June 2017, White purchased three mansions in the same area for a combined total of $6.2 million.
October 2017: Dana White Expresses Interest in Boxing Promotion
In October 2017, while at Freddie Roach's Wild Card West boxing club, White expressed his intention to get into boxing "100 percent."
2017: Donation to Victims of the Las Vegas Shooting
Following the tragic Las Vegas shooting in 2017, Dana White made a significant donation of $1 million to support the victims and their families.
February 5, 2018: Dana White Appears on Pawn Stars
In an episode of Pawn Stars that aired on February 5, 2018, White purchased around $60,000 worth of katana swords.
March 18, 2019: Dana White Signs Seven-Year Contract as UFC President
Dana White signed a new seven-year contract to remain president of the UFC on March 18, 2019, coinciding with the UFC signing a deal with ESPN.
August 2019: Dana White's Net Worth Estimated at $500 Million
In August 2019, Dana White's net worth was estimated to be $500 million.
2019: Donation to Dustin Poirier's The Good Fight Foundation
After UFC 242 in 2019, Dana White matched Khabib Nurmagomedov's donation of $100,000 to Dustin Poirier's charity, The Good Fight Foundation, demonstrating his support for charitable causes within the MMA community.
2019: Dana White Explores Incorporating Boxing into the UFC Portfolio
In 2019, White considered adding boxing to the UFC's portfolio.
February 2020: Political Donation to America First Action
Dana White donated $1 million to America First Action, a super political action committee supporting Donald Trump's re-election campaign, in February 2020.
April 2020: Joining Industry Leaders for Economic Rebuilding
In April 2020, Dana White joined a group of industry leaders to contribute to the United States' economic recovery efforts following the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
2020: Dana White Reveals Attempt to Bring Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to the Raiders
In 2022, White revealed that he tried to negotiate a deal to bring Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. However, the deal fell through.
2021: Dana White Discusses his History as a Gambler
White, a known gambler, shared in 2021 that he has been limited from playing at multiple casinos in Las Vegas because of his high-stakes betting.
2022: Altercation with Wife Anne
During a New Year's Eve celebration in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, Dana White and his wife, Anne, were captured on video engaging in a physical altercation. The footage showed Anne slapping White, who retaliated by slapping her back. Both parties later issued apologies, attributing their actions to excessive alcohol consumption. The incident sparked controversy, with calls for White's removal from the UFC, but the organization did not officially address the matter.
2022: Health Diagnosis and Lifestyle Changes
In 2022, Dana White received concerning medical test results revealing extremely high triglyceride levels and other health irregularities. He was informed that he had approximately 10.4 years left to live if he didn't make significant changes. In response, White adopted a ketogenic diet, which he credits with improving his sleep apnea and reducing leg pain.
2022: Dana White Becomes Co-Owner of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment
In 2022, White became a co-owner of Thrill One Sports & Entertainment, which owns Nitro Circus, Nitrocross, and Street League Skateboarding.
2022: Dana White Reveals Attempt to Bring Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to the Raiders
In 2022, White revealed that he tried to negotiate a deal to bring Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski to the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020. However, the deal fell through.
2022: Dana White Backpedals on Boxing Promotion Plans
White reversed his stance on boxing promotion in 2022, calling it a "broken business."
January 2023: Power Slap Debuts
Dana White's slap fighting competition, Power Slap, debuted in January 2023.
April 3, 2023: Merger of WWE and UFC Announced
On April 3, 2023, Endeavor announced a merger between the WWE and UFC, forming a new public company with Dana White as the CEO of the UFC.
2024: Introduction of Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention
Dana White introduced Donald Trump at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, further solidifying his support for the former president.
2024: Donation to Support Victims of Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump
In 2024, Dana White donated $50,000 to a fund dedicated to assisting the victims affected by the attempted assassination of former president Donald J. Trump, which took place during a rally held on July 13th in Butler, PA.
