Dana White’s relationship with UFC fighters is a nuanced mix of respect, business, and occasional friction. As the CEO of the UFC, White serves as both a promoter and a negotiator, balancing fighters’ interests with the overarching goals of the organization. While many fighters credit White for helping them achieve stardom, others have found themselves at odds with his management style.
Despite these tensions, his influence in the world of combat sports remains unmatched, solidifying his legacy as a transformative figure in the industry. Former UFC fighter Mike Perry, who worked closely with White during his tenure with the promotion, recently reflected on their relationship in an interview. Let’s see what the verbose fighter had to say!
Mike Perry spills the beans on his relationship with Dana White
Dana White’s relationship with Mike Perry has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by ups and downs. Perry, known for his wild personality and unfiltered remarks, has never been shy about speaking his mind—even when it came to White. While their dynamic has seen its fair share of tension, White has often acknowledged Perry’s talent and marketability, recognizing him as an electrifying fighter who always delivers excitement.
However, their relationship hasn’t been without its rough patches, including a time when Perry directed personal remarks at the head honcho in frustration. In 2021, Perry made the bold decision to leave the UFC and join the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. Following his departure, he openly criticized White, calling him a “rich a–hole” and accusing him of not caring enough about the fighters. Recently, though, Perry’s stance toward White has noticeably softened.
While speaking on Jake Shields’ Fight Back Podcast, Perry clarified his current perspective, “It’s not bad—I don’t really have one [feud] with Dana. I think a couple of times I may have let him down in some fights that he was either rooting for me or he thought I would do better. I don’t have a bad relationship with Dana White. I wish I could mend it. I wish I had something positive or business-like. I don’t have anything negative to say. I respect Dana so much like everybody else does.”
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Perry has shown a more understanding side toward White. During a time when the UFC CEO was widely criticized for a major public misstep, ‘Platinum’ took an unexpected stance, defending him against the backlash. Despite their rocky history, Perry’s recent comments suggest a lingering respect for White, hinting at the possibility of mending their relationship in the future.
‘Platinum’ sympathized with the UFC head honcho amidst a public debacle
On New Year’s Eve 2023, TMZ released a video capturing a troubling incident involving Dana White and his wife at a club. What started as a festive celebration took a dramatic turn when the couple got into a physical altercation. The footage showed White’s wife slapping him, followed by White responding in kind, an exchange that quickly drew widespread backlash and public controversy.
Mike Perry, never one to shy away from voicing his opinions, weighed in on the situation. He expressed clear disapproval of White’s actions, stating, “He definitely had no excuses.” However, Perry also offered a nuanced perspective on the circumstances, adding, “How long has that guy been in the public eye? For so many years, and for something like this to happen … maybe he grabbed her wrist, she struck him, he struck back, alcohol involved, New Year’s [Eve], tough times. Man, people go through that.”
Despite their often-tense relationship, White never entirely turned his back on Perry, recognizing that the fighter’s unpredictability and raw personality were part of what made him a standout in the sport. What’s your take on the relationship between Dana White and Mike Perry? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post Fallen Out of Dana White’s Graces, Mike Perry Comes Clean on Failing to ‘Mend’ Relations With UFC CEO appeared first on EssentiallySports.