SUMMARY
- Dana White took to Instagram and went live on January 9, 2024, right after having a meeting with his UFC team to give fans some teasers.
- While greeting his fans, Dana White received a weird request from a follower.
Dana White gears up for a monumental 2024, particularly with UFC 300 on the horizon. Fans eagerly await announcements as the UFC CEO strategically teases without revealing too much. With every word and social media post, the anticipation builds for what promises to be a blockbuster event under Dana White’s meticulous planning.
So it was no surprise when Dana White took to Instagram and went live on January 9, 2024, right after having a meeting with his UFC team to give fans some teasers. He told the people watching his Instagram live, “I’ll have some UFC 300 stuff tomorrow.” After this, he was greeted by his fans, who asked for a picture with him.
Dana White reluctantly replied, “Yeah, yeah, alright, c’mon, buddy.” The fan then handed over his dog to Dana and started taking pictures. To draw his dog’s attention to the camera, the fan started calling out its name. “Smile baby, Rousey Ronda Rousey, Rousey, Rousey,” he called out. Dana was left there holding the dog with an awkward smile on his face.
The fan left with a nice memory, but Dana White got awkward on his Instagram live after getting schemed like that on camera. It sure was a funny sight for those watching his livestream. Netizens later posted this video on Reddit to make a joke out of it. It probably was a setup all along by the fan, but in any case, it must have made Dana think of UFC’s former superstar Ronda Rousey.
Ronda Rousey’s relationship with Dana White after UFC departure
Dana White, the long-time president of the UFC, reflected on the unique relationships he has formed with fighters throughout his more than two-decade tenure. One such fighter with whom he shares a special bond is Ronda Rousey.
In the early years of the UFC, Dana White staunchly opposed the inclusion of women in the organization. However, in 2012, everything changed when he encountered a talented young fighter named Ronda Rousey. White brought Rousey, a Strikeforce Champion, to the UFC as the first female Bantamweight Champion. She ascended to global prominence, securing a place in the UFC Hall of Fame.
Despite Rousey’s transition from the UFC to a career in the WWE, the bond between her and Dana White has remained strong. White shared insights into their continued closeness during a recent appearance on Paddy Pimblett‘s podcast.
“Ronda Rousey and I are still super close,” Dana White revealed. “She’s still to this day sends me texts of like her home that she has in Hawaii. You know she’s got a home in Southern California. She built some crazy zombie apocalypse ranch in Oregon”.
The UFC President further added, “She will still send me a text and say this is all because of you, and thank you so much for believing in me and giving me the platform to change my life”.
Dana White went on to praise Ronda Rousey as one of the greatest athletes he has ever worked with, highlighting her recent achievements, including becoming a mother. Since departing the UFC, Rousey has found success in the WWE, pro wrestling, and the movie industry, leaving an indelible mark on the sport and contributing to the establishment of three additional female divisions in the UFC.
Do you think the fan set Dana White with that dog’s name, Ronda Rousey? What do you think about Dana and Ronda’s relationship? Let us know in the comments below.