Dana White is best known for dominating the MMA business, but he’s recently earned bragging rights for defeating a different kind of beast. With the kind of energy you’d expect from a UFC title fight, the head honcho turned to Instagram with five simple, explosive words that screamed it all: “MY BOY IS BAD A–!!” The UFC CEO was not referring to a fighter but rather a four-legged beast making waves in a sport few expected him to conquer.
His Instagram video, with the title “@danawhitesplaymate 1st Place at ABBI,” quickly went viral. For long-time fans, it was clear: this was about Playmate, White’s emerging star in the realm of professional bull riding. Playmate, a newcomer to the American Bucking Bull, Inc. (ABBI) circuit, recently finished first in an ABBI-sanctioned event.
While it was not the World Finals title, it was a significant victory in the intensely competitive bull riding scene, and it added credence to White’s side hustle in cattle warfare. The bull in question isn’t your average bovine bruiser. Playmate, the five-year-old son of SweetPro’s Bruiser, a three-time PBR World Champion, has swiftly earned a reputation for chaos and brutality in the arena.
Since its debut in July 2024, Playmate has competed in 11 competitions and has only been successfully ridden once—a statistic that sends chills down riders’ spines. His tremendous power was on full display earlier this year in Kansas City, when he flung a rider before the gate opened. Insiders define him as “mean, nasty, and violent,” which is exactly what Dana White is looking for.
Playmate not only attended the 2025 PBR World Finals in Fort Worth, Texas, but he also headlined. Though he was not competing for the ABBI World Championship, he was a top draw at the event, facing off against two-time PBR World Champion Jose Vitor Leme.
The battle drew both fans and fighters, with the $500 million-worth CEO referring to it as the “main event” of the week. The crossover appeal was evident. MMA fans saw some of the Octagon’s volatility in the bucking arena, and White’s brave move into this world was suddenly paying off handsomely.
So when White uploaded his 5-word celebration, it wasn’t just another flex but a statement. Playmate isn’t just bucking bulls; he’s also defying expectations. And with Dana White in the driver’s seat, “his boy” is only getting started. And who knows, maybe Playmate would get a one-on-one against a former UFC fighter just like White’s previous bull, Twisted Steel.
Dana White’s Playmat may go against a former title challenger
Dana White’s celebration may have been a teaser for something even bigger than Playmate’s victory. With Playmate’s name gaining traction and the crossover crowd completely invested, attention is now shifting to what comes next. And, as crazy as it seems, the next stop on this bull’s rampage could be a long-awaited matchup with a familiar UFC gunslinger: Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone.
The idea isn’t coming out of nowhere. In 2024, Cowboy Cerrone famously challenged Dana White’s second prized bull, Twisted Steel, and the stakes were crazy. White had pledged $50,000 to charity if Cerrone climbed on and double if he survived the entire eight seconds. The MMA world was buzzing, and the bull-riding crowd was stunned—until calamity hit.
Cerrone injured his arm in practice and had to withdraw. The story could’ve ended there, especially given Twisted Steel’s recent passing. However, with Playmate now in the spotlight and Cowboy still hanging around the arena world, the plot begs for a sequel. ‘Cowboy’ has unfinished business, and White knows how to sell a spectacle.
Twisted Steel had its moment. However, Playmate is currently making news. And if Cowboy Cerrone is ready to saddle up again, it may be the wildest eight seconds of his post-fight career. What do you think? Will we get to see ‘Cowboy’ get a ride on Playmate? Let us know in the comments.
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