“They eat what they kill.” At least, that’s the gospel according to Dana White. Fighters get exactly what they deserve, he says. “Believe me, these guys get paid what they’re supposed to get paid,” White once told GQ in 2022. And honestly, who are we to argue with a man who has been throwing hundred-dollar bills like they’re promotional flyers just a year later? Maybe boxing should take notes, Mr. White’s got the money-showering approach down to an art form. Then again, it’s been two years since, so good luck with that.
Speaking of flying Benjamins, the UFC boss decided to kick off a new tradition, handing out cash in what can only be described as a pity-fueled punching competition. This all went down in ‘Dana White: Lookin’ for a fight- Boston’, where the head honcho set up a punching bag challenge inspired by Irish boxer Callum Walsh. Walsh shattered the machine’s record with a 977. And White did what he does best, threw down a $5000 challenge on social media for any who could beat it. Because why not turn a simple punch into a spectacle?
Cue every tough guy in Boston flooding in, fists primed to make history. Even boxing legend Micky Ward showed up to witness the chaos. But things took a turn when he suddenly realized that you had to put money in the machine to play. And what did he do? Started handing out hundred-dollar bills left and right.
He was laughing, roasting, and, of course, making it rain for fans. And especially the ones that couldn’t beat the boxing machine record to save their lives. “Here’s a hundred bucks for that, ’cause that’s gonna be on television,” White chuckled. He was practically wheezing as he handed a bill to one particularly unfortunate participant. Matt Serra, ever the comedian, summed it up perfectly. “The best part about the whole punching competition is the guys that were just totally failing at it.” Among the ones who failed, the notable names were Lac Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby and the man who once beat Mike Tyson, Ireland’s Kevin McBride. You just know it’s bad when even Dana White is out here feeling secondhand embarrassment.
White, in his signature mix of mockery and generosity, couldn’t hide his cringing. “I was so embarrassed for them that I gave them a hundred bucks ‘cause I felt bad for him,” he admitted. “We ended up calling that the pity punch payment.” But when a massive dude finally stepped up and threw a proper punch, the UFC boss’ enthusiasm skyrocketed. “Yes, yes, that’s what I’m looking for right now! There we go. Big boy, come on!” The crowd roared as White handed him $100, but for the lucky fan, the money was an afterthought. “I already won. I met Dana White. I’m good.” Ah yes, because meeting the head honcho is indeed a life-altering experience. Now, if you’re thinking, ‘wait, Dana just hands out $100 bills for sport?’ you’d be right. And this isn’t his first time making a spontaneous payout.
When else has Dana White played ATM for the clueless?
The same year, in the middle of hyping up the Sean O’Malley vs. Aljamain Sterling fight, White turned a press conference into an impromptu game show. He asked the crowd to guess who had called him to claim that ‘Funk Master’ didn’t really want to fight. “Three guesses! 100 bucks right now for whoever can guess it!” A reporter shouted “Henry!” referring to Henry Cejudo. And the boss, true to his word, slapped a crisp $100 bill into her hand. “Henry Cejudo calls me and says, ‘This little pu**y doesn’t want to fight. I’ll take the fight. I’m throwing my hat in right now. Let’s do it. I’ll fight O’Malley.’” The man turns gossip on fight negotiations into a cash giveaway. And somehow, we’re still surprised?
But, this is the same person who’s constantly dodging criticism about fighter pay. While UFC athletes scrap for performance bonuses, their boss is out here tossing hundred-dollar bills on a whim. The irony is as thick as a prime Derrick Lewis. Hence, if you’re looking to make a quick hundred off Dana White, forget fighting. Just guess the right name or throw the worst punch imaginable. It might just be the easiest payday in combat sports.
So, should we start hoping for White’s financial generosity to extend beyond pity punches and trivia challenges? Or is this just the way of the UFC, where only some get paid what they’re ‘supposed to get paid’? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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