Dana White has been the driving force behind the UFC’s rapid growth for over two decades, but now it’s a multimillion-dollar payoff that’s getting attention. Amid mounting suspicion over his future, one source believes the UFC CEO cashed out big with his stake in TKO Group Holdings, raising questions about whether he is preparing for the endgame. With less time in front of the camera and more focus on side projects, people are wondering if the head honcho is prepared to walk away with generational wealth.
White’s pullback has not gone unnoticed. He used to appear at every major fight week and press conference, but he’s becoming an increasingly rare sight. UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell has been managing the contractually heavy work, and repeated delays in announcing important headliners, such as UFC 317, have only fed speculation that White’s grip on the organization is slipping.
At the same time, he’s been putting his all into Power Slap, even promoting a new jiu-jitsu league, indicating that his focus has switched. However, the true shock occurred during a recent episode of the Weighing In podcast. Former UFC fighter Josh Thomson revealed how financially secure White truly is. “I believe he’s still a part owner,” Thomson stated. “They gave him a percentage when they did the buyout. They gave him another percentage of the company, so that would make sense.”
When co-host Angelo Reyes asked if the UFC CEO owned stocks in TKO, Thompson said he didn’t know the specific conditions. But the sum he dropped said it all: “He got paid out on his ownership from the first time, which gave him the $700 million or whatever that he made, and he’s still part owner in this.”
While Dana White no longer has a controlling ownership in TKO Group, which is now majority owned by Endeavor and WWE shareholders, he continues to serve as CEO of UFC. And, given that TKO executives Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro earned eight-figure pay last year, it’s safe to assume White’s compensation, albeit hidden, is still in that upper tier.
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Whether the head honcho is gradually leaving or merely modifying his role, the message is clear: he has created a system that works with or without him. And with hundreds of millions of dollars in the bank, he can afford to call his next shot on his own terms. However, for now, fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Dana White stated earlier this year that he still has a lot left in his tank.
Dana White promises to stick around longer
Despite the whispers, Dana White isn’t ready to retire. Just a few months before the hoopla surrounding his supposed $700 million windfall, the UFC CEO made it clear that he is not interested in retiring. In fact, he is doubling down on his commitment. While many expected him to accept his money and fade into executive anonymity, Dana White believes he’s far from finished—and if his own comments are any indication, retirement isn’t even on his radar.
“I will never retire. Ever,” White declared during a heated appearance on Tucker Carlson Uncensored. “I will keep dogging this out until the day I drop dead. I love it, 100 percent.” That wasn’t just bravado; it was classic Dana White—a man who’s spent over two decades fighting uphill fights, outworking competitors, and betting big while others were playing it safe.
Even after the UFC’s 2016 sale to Endeavor for more than $4 billion, which would have been the ideal exit for most, Dana White remained put. And now, years later, with even more power and fortune, he’s still pursuing the grind that most would gladly leave behind. He credits his longevity to one thing: hunger. “You have to be a certain type of person to stay hungry and get out and fight every day,” he said. The head honcho even cited Bob Arum as an source of inspiration.
At 94 years old, Arum is still traveling the world and working the ring, and White, despite his scorn, can’t help but admire the hustle. “I hate him, but you got to respect it, right?” White said. That approach might explain why, despite his wealth and limited exposure, Dana White isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. What do you think? Will the UFC CEO keep his word? Let us know in the comments.
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