The glitz and chaos of WrestleMania 41 hit full throttle at Allegiant Stadium, but among the chants, title changes, and celebrity sightings, one unexpected moment dominated the show—and not in a good way. UFC CEO Dana White made a surprise appearance on the big screen, prompting a chorus of boos from the 60,000-strong Las Vegas crowd. Most celebrities were greeted with applause and camera flashes, but the UFC head honcho received a cold reception. For a man accustomed to dominating audiences, the awkward hush that followed his forced smile screamed everything.
White, who has become a fixture in political and MMA news, waved to the camera when first shown but was met with jeers loud enough to drown the commentary. The first reaction of boos was definitely not an isolated one; when the UFC boss was shown again later in the night, the boos grew louder. Despite the apparent embarrassment, Dana White remained in the crowd. WWE and UFC are now under the same corporate umbrella, TKO Group Holdings, and White’s appearance was most likely a tribute to this merger. However, fans didn’t buy the symbolism.
Wrestling’s hardcore fan base has never been bashful about rejecting outsiders, particularly those who look to be “all in.” However, Dana White, with his political baggage and corporate swagger, did not simply walk into WWE’s universe; he became a part of their judgment. And the crowd did not hold back. White’s close links to Donald Trump may have intensified the backlash. The head honcho is a renowned Trump ally who often calls the president at UFC events and has spoken at many Republican conventions.
Dana White in attendance at #Wrestlemania tonight pic.twitter.com/eX9KtfqE2A
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 20, 2025
So, it is sure that fans see him as more than simply the face of the UFC; he is a lightning rod. In a wrestling industry that relies on emotional reactions, his appearance may have unintentionally become one of the most talked-about events of night one. However, it is also possible that many of those boos actually came from UFC fans. But why would UFC fans boo the head honcho of the promotion? Well, that’s because the UFC CEO is making them play the waiting game.
Fans call out Dana White for not revealing the IFW card
As boos erupted in Allegiant Stadium during Dana White’s WrestleMania appearance, many felt it was simply the wrestling crowd turning on an outsider. But for seasoned fight fans, the irritation goes deeper than just entering another ring. The UFC CEO’s silence on the UFC 317 International Fight Week PPV has reached a boiling point, and fans are tired of playing detective. With Islam Makhachev rumored to headline and Khamzat Chimaev expected to co-main, the lack of a formal announcement feels like a running joke—and one that has worn out its punchline.
Social media has not held back. “MF doing everything but announcing IFW HE BETTER BE COOKING,” one person wrote, capturing the overall sentiment. Another echoed, “Everything but 317…” The sense of urgency is obvious, yet the head honcho of the biggest MMA promotion in the world appears to be operating on another wavelength. “Doing anything but announcing the card,” one fan complained, while another couldn’t help but poke fun: “He’s too busy doing side quests now.” Dana White appears to be everywhere—except where fans need him to be—from hyping crossover moments at WWE to ducking direct answers.
And then there’s the crossover speculation. With both the major combat sports companies being under the same umbrella, some fans are in full conspiracy mode about there being major crossovers in the making. One such fan joked, “Trying to find someone who can main event 317. Maybe one of those lucha guys. They seem fun.” Another user added, “Gotta scout the competition, Dana,” while one hypothesis really took off: “He is trying to put Topuria vs. Islam [in] WWE.”
What about the boos he received in Vegas? Yes, fans noticed. “Got booed lol,” one person stated, showing no sympathy. Another user commented, “Man, people really hated seeing him there lol.” And then came the awful truth: “Never realized people hated him so much, lmao.” For many, this wasn’t just about WWE; it was about Dana White failing to perform the one thing they asked of him. But what do you think? Will the UFC head honcho be announcing the fight card for the International Fight Week anytime soon? Let us know in the comments.
The post Pressure Mounts on Dana White to Announce Potential Khamzat Chimaev & Islam Makhachev Headliner After WrestleMania 41 appeared first on EssentiallySports.