Fighters might think knockouts and submissions pave the path to success. But according to UFC kingpin Dana White, the real key to stardom could be hiding in the most unexpected place: the UFC fans. White gave his advice to up-and-coming fighters. Embrace the hate. Love the boos. Just do whatever you can that won’t let the crowd fall silent.
The UFC CEO recently dropped some truth bombs that might surprise aspiring fighters. In an interview on “The Shop,” White revealed his secret sauce for fighter success. He believed that the fans’ reaction is an important part of a fighter’s success in the octagon.
“If you are the type of fighter that comes and the crowd goes crazy and goes nuts, awesome. If you are the type of fighter that walks in and everybody boos you, incredible, what you don’t wanna be is the person that nobody gives a sh** one way or other,” said White.
But White isn’t advocating for fighters to become villains overnight. He has got a more nuanced take on the matter. According to White, the real enemy is indifference. So, what’s a fighter to do? Should they start trash-talking like Conor McGregor? Or maybe cultivate a mysterious aura like Khabib Nurmagomedov? The answer, it seems, is to be memorable.
His advice is a stark reminder that the UFC is more than just a sport. It’s entertainment and business. This philosophy has led to some interesting developments in the UFC world. Fans have seen fighters like Colby Covington and Ian Garry lean into their “villain” personas. They’re the guys fans love to hate or hate to love, or sometimes, maybe both!
Dana White Reveals His All-Time Favourite UFC Moment
White, the outspoken CEO of UFC, has seen countless knockouts in his career. But one stands out as his all-time favorite. He shared a surprising revelation about his favorite moment in UFC history. It wasn’t a championship fight or a record-breaking event. Instead, it was a personal grudge match that brought him immense joy.
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The knockout in question was Chuck Liddell’s victory over Tito Ortiz. White’s relationship with Ortiz has been notoriously rocky over the years. Their feud became so heated that they nearly agreed to a sanctioned bout themselves. But he found satisfaction in watching Ortiz fall to Liddell.
His enthusiasm for this particular knockout went beyond mere spectator joy. Dana White actually requested Liddell’s gloves and trunks from the fight as he framed these fight-worn items and hung them in his house. This story offers a glimpse into the passionate and sometimes petty world of the UFC.
