Fans people view UFC CEO Dana White as a polarizing figure in the world of combat sports. On one hand, he’s credited with transforming the UFC into the global face of MMA through sharp business instincts and bold decisions. On the other, he’s faced harsh criticism over several controversies—most notably, fighter compensation. Compared to boxing, UFC athletes often earn far less, prompting many to accuse White of shortchanging the very fighters who helped build the brand.
Among the most vocal critics is Jake Paul, who once branded White as “the most selfish, capitalistic motherf—-r.” Within the MMA community, the Bossman’s legacy remains a topic of fierce debate. For some, he’s a visionary who saved the sport from obscurity. For others, he’s the embodiment of corporate greed. However, a recent revelation from former UFC referee Big John McCarthy has shed light on a more compassionate, lesser-known side of Dana White.
Speaking on his podcast Weighing In, McCarthy shed light on Dana White’s behind-the-scenes efforts during the legal ordeal of former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez. In 2022, the San Jose native was arrested in California following a shooting incident involving a man accused of molesting his son—a case that sent shockwaves through the MMA community. Earlier this year, the Santa Clara County court sentenced him to five years in prison.
While the headlines painted a grim picture, what many fans might not know is that Dana White stepped in to offer his personal support to Cain during that turbulent time. As McCarthy revealed:
“There are those moments that come out where you think, ‘Man, you know what? Cain needed him, and he was there.’ Dana wrote letters for Cain—to the judge and things like that. It didn’t work, but that’s not Dana’s fault. He did all the things you’d expect someone to do for a guy who was good for his business and who should’ve been around a lot longer—just unfortunate with injuries and stuff. But Dana did the right thing by doing that.”
UFC CEO DANA WHITE with post event media during the UFC 304 event at Co-op Etihad Campus, SportCity, Manchester, England on the 27 July 2024. Copyright: xAndyxRowlandx PMI-6350-0002
Despite Dana White’s heartfelt letters of support, the judge ultimately denied the plea. Following a series of hearings that began in 2022, the court recently handed down its final verdict. Cain Velasquez was sentenced to five years in prison, but he has already served 1,283 days—including time under house arrest.
Under California’s sentencing guidelines, each day served counts as two days of credit, potentially allowing Cain Velasquez to be released early—possibly as soon as March 2026. While many still see Cain’s actions as justified, the former UFC heavyweight champion himself admits that his perspective on the past has changed. Here’s the Mexican-American, in his own words.
Cain Velasquez made a confession before his verdict
When news of Cain Velasquez’s shooting incident broke, the MMA community—along with countless fans and everyday people—overwhelmingly rallied behind the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion. Many saw his actions as those of a father trying to protect his child. One of the most vocal supporters was UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, the San Jose native’s former gym partner, who remarked, “Nobody is going to think of law or something when you have something about your family. You have to protect your family.”
Khabib stood by Cain Velasquez, who had taken justice into his own hands on the streets of Santa Clara. During the confrontation, the accused attempted to flee in a vehicle that also carried members of his family. In the chaos, a bullet fired by the ex-UFC heavyweight star struck the stepfather of the alleged child molester, intensifying the legal consequences. The fact that the shooting occurred near an elementary school only added to the gravity of the situation—a stray bullet could have made things even worse.
Years later, and just a week before the long-awaited verdict was handed down earlier this year, Cain Velasquez addressed the incident with regret. Speaking on the Kyle Kingsbury Podcast, the 42-year-old opened up about his actions and the lessons he’s learned: “From what I can say as far as myself, the way that I handled things, that was not the way to do it. We cannot put the law in our own hands… So whatever the court feels correct for what I have to do, I’m going to do it with my head up and still be me, and not play the blame game. It was me that did that and reacted in that way.”
What do you think about Dana White standing firmly behind Cain Velasquez—going so far as to post his $1 million bail? Despite the serious legal troubles the American faced, Dana never wavered in his support. Share your thoughts below.
The post Dana White’s Desperate Yet Failed Attempt to Sway Judge’s Verdict on Cain Velasquez Trial Resurfaces in Ex-UFC Ref’s Confession appeared first on EssentiallySports.
