SUMMARY
- Dana White is loyal to the people who are loyal to him.
- The UFC chief was ready to hand in his resignation if Joe Rogan was to be removed from the promotion due to a controversy.
Dana White and Joe Rogan’s friendship now surpasses two decades. It is the prime example of ‘Ride together die together’. Previously, we have heard Rogan say that he would leave the UFC if Dana White were to leave. In a recent revelation, it is now known that White was ready to leave the promotion if Rogan was removed due to a controversy.
During his appearance on Lex Fridman’s podcast, White was appreciated by the Russian-American computer scientist and podcaster for his loyalty. Fridman explained that he was with Rogan when the JRE host was on a call with White. At the time, Rogan was facing controversy with Spotify and people did not want him to do commentary for the UFC. White offered to resign if Rogan was to be removed.
“I value loyalty a lot,” Fridman said. White responded, “Anybody who is with me, that has been with me, knows that when you’re with me, you’re with me. It’s a two-way street, it’s not a one-way street. I’m not one of these who is going to roll over… None of that type of stuff is going to happen while I’m here.”
(Watch from 36:25 minutes)
White recounted the pandemic days and explained how he tried to not lay off any of his staff. He said, “This motherf*cker will burn, burn before I would do that to my people. It’s just never — none of that type of stuff is ever going to happen while I’m here.”
White has regularly been under fire from his employees for issues regarding low pay. Former UFC fighters have even filed a class-action lawsuit against the promotion. However, White’s relationship with Rogan has always been heartwarming.
Dana White and Joe Rogan share a workplace relationship that has turned into a beautiful friendship
White revealed that he hired Rogan soon after he became in charge of the proceedings in the UFC. White was extremely impressed with Rogan’s extensive knowledge of the sport.
Rogan, on the other hand, was willing to do commentary on the first few shows for free. At the time, the UFC was going through a financial crunch and Rogan offered his help. Since then, the UFC has reached new heights and White and Rogan have both benefitted from it.
Their relationship turned from acquaintances to friends. Although there are no familial ties, their friendship is as strong. “If anybody ever comes to me with any kind of criticism of Dana White, I’m like ‘you’re going to the wrong guy,” Rogan said previously when White was embroiled in controversy, via Newsweek.
“That guy’s my brother, I’ll never say a bad thing about him… “I love that guy to death and won’t say a bad word about him,” he added.
During the Lex Fridman podcast, White said, “Joe Rogan has been very loyal to me, and I am very loyal to Joe Rogan.”
Their friendship is a two-way street. Both of them have immense respect for each other and have each others’ backs at all times.
Joe Rogan claimed he would leave the UFC if Dana White leaves
As Dana White explained his stance on the Fridman podcast, Rogan had done the same not too long ago. During a past episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, the UFC commentator said, “Dana was like… he doesn’t sleep. He’s always going. I could call Dana and have a two-hour conversation with him at 2 in the morning. He’s an animal.
He’s just, like, always doing stuff. He’s always involved, he’s always getting got deals, he’s always working on fights, he’s always… He f***ing loves this sh*t. If he ever, it’s in my contract that if he ever leaves, I leave. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to do this for anyone else’.”
As of now, neither looks eager to leave the promotion. They have both helped the UFC for over two decades to reach the heights that it is at.