Dana White on McGregor’s Future, Defeating $40-Million Debt, & How he BEATS the Casino
Jun 5, 2024
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UFC President Dana White shares his journey from $40M debt to UFC success. Highlights include early UFC struggles, securing TV deals, the impact of The Ultimate Fighter, managing fighters, innovative business strategies, and setting up challenging fights in the UFC. Discussions on high-stakes gambling, relationships in comedy, and the evolution of MMA training.
UFC's financial struggles transformed into success through innovative strategies and determination.
UFC promotes competitive matchups unlike boxing, encouraging fighters to showcase their skills fearlessly.
Fighters in UFC are motivated by bonuses for outstanding performances, creating a culture of exceptional effort in matches.
UFC introduces unconventional events like live shows honoring Mexican heritage, breaking norms in combat sports.
Dana White's entrepreneurial passion drives success in niche sports like MMA and power slap, making them popular and profitable.
Deep dives
Building a Business
UFC's journey involved overcoming financial challenges, with a pivotal moment where the company was upside down $40 million before a remarkable turnaround.
Creating Exciting Fights
UFC focuses on fostering exciting and competitive matchups, unlike boxing, where fighters may avoid tough fights to protect their record, promoting a thrilling competition environment.
Reward System
UFC's reward system incentivizes fighters to perform exceptionally, offering bonuses for standout performances, shaping a culture where fighters go all out in matches to showcase their skills.
Unique Business Tactics
By introducing unique business strategies like live shows from the Sphere honoring Mexican heritage, UFC distinguishes itself by pushing boundaries and captivating an audience by defying conventional norms in combat sports.
Bringing Niche Sports to Success
Dana White discusses his passion for building successful businesses in niche sports, highlighting the satisfaction he finds in making seemingly unconventional sports like MMA and power slap popular and lucrative.
The Thrill of Gambling
Dana White expresses his enthusiasm for gambling, comparing the excitement of a successful night at the casino to entering a high-stakes battle. He elaborates on the exhilarating experience of competing against the biggest casino companies and the motivation he derives from challenging them.
Managing Wins and Losses
White details his approach to managing wins and losses in gambling, including setting limits for his daily wins and losses. He reveals his strategy of leaving after winning a million dollars and his readiness to risk losing up to six million in a day.
Insight into Baccarat and Casino Strategy
White explains the nuances of Baccarat, highlighting its favorable odds compared to other casino games like Blackjack. He touches on the discrepancy in betting limits between Baccarat and Blackjack, showcasing his understanding of casino games and strategic play.
Navigating High Stakes and Shady Casino Deals
The podcast episode delves into the high-stakes world of gambling, highlighting experiences with million-dollar bets and interactions with high rollers at casinos. It discusses the dangers of certain casinos engaging in shady practices to deceive gamblers, emphasizing the importance of being cautious and aware of such tactics to protect oneself.
Challenges and Pressure of Stand-Up Comedy
The episode also explores the intense pressure and challenges of stand-up comedy, following a nerve-wracking experience where the speaker tried his hand at delivering jokes in front of a live audience of professional comedians. The speaker shares insights into the unique stress and immense preparation required in comedic performances, showcasing the demanding nature of the art form and the courage needed to step on stage.
YERRR we got UFC's own Dana White in the building to break it all down for us: how the UFC came to be, his biggest gambling wins and losses, who the greatest EVER is, and much much more. INDULGE 00:00 Intro 00:58 Whitey Bulger was after Dana? 3:16 Pure focus on work, fug your wedding + bumping into Fertittas 5:57 Dana running gyms with Roger Mayweather + 1st impressions of Floyd Mayweather 8:00 Roger Mayweather fighting heavyweight + real fight world is crazy 9:46 Why is Dana drawn to fight sports? 10:23 Dana would have resigned from UFC bcos of Rogan + Rogan’s loyalty 14:52 Dana managing boxers 17:17 Learning jiu jitsu, different storylines + seeing true potential of UFC 19:58 Approaching UFC to buy it for $2m + down $40m in the hole 24:29 Lionsgate owned all the IP, they didn’t believe at all + DVD helped a little 26:29 Dana’s mentality during all of this + hearing offers to sell UFC 28:19 TV was the savior, Spike TV initially hated it + putting up all the money 30:04 Power Slap makes MONEY 33:51 Dana’s motivator, UFC felt too violent + sparring is the killer 36:42 The Ultimate Fighter changed everything + that Final was insane 41:17 Starting to climb out the hole + Saudi saved boxing 45:22 UFC incentives the right performances + The Sphere show incoming + WE LOVE MEXICO 55:21 Deciding the right fights + media doesn’t know what they’re talking about 58:36 Mike Tyson should never have been fighting Jake Paul 1:01:58 What’s the criteria for good UFC fights? Styles makes fight 1:05:04 Learning how to tell compelling stories + incredible personalities are a bonus 1:09:10 What is Conor McGregor doing? Elite mental warfare 1:11:40 Jon Jones is the greatest fighter ever + P4P makes no sense 1:17:25 Intervening to protect fighters + you have no idea about their mentalities 1:20:51 UFC surpassing boxing, impact of Jiu Jitsu + Rogan’s commentary 1:24:06 The internet truly changed it all + we’re gonna see massive consolidation 1:30:45 Breaking into markets, Power Slap’s massive in India + finding talent 1:35:57 MMA is its own discipline + gyms all over the world 1:37:14 Dana manage his portfolio + Building niche sports 1:38:45 Dana’s biggest business failure + regret in not investing in… 1:42:10 How to pitch Dana on business + Dana loves negativity 1:45:24 Caesar’s the place, The Chinese LOVES gambling + Dana LOVES taking their money 1:53:27 The most Dana has won and lost + Baccarat’s odds are the best out there 1:58:17 Dirty tricks casinos use, LV treats you right + when you’re banned, means something out… 2:03:14 Charles Barkley loves gambling, bad luck people + superstitions 2:09:46 What makes Dana so successful? 2:11:46 Howie Mandel walkout was planned 2:13:56 The worst thing Dana ever tried… 2:16:10 The Brady Roast recap, no more stand-up EVER + Kim K was a G
