Dana White

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Dana F. White
Dana White headshot.jpg
Born (1969-07-28) July 28, 1969 (age 43)
Manchester, CT, U.S.
Residence Las Vegas, Nevada
Nationality United States American
Occupation President of UFC
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Spouse(s) Anne
Children 3

Dana White (born July 28, 1969) is an American businessman, entrepreneur, and the President of mixed martial arts organization the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Contents

Ultimate Fighting Championship (2002–present)[edit]

While working as a manager, White learned that Semaphore Entertainment Group, the parent company of the UFC, was looking for a buyer for the UFC. White contacted childhood friend Lorenzo Fertitta, an executive at Station Casinos, and a former commissioner of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Within a month, Lorenzo and his older brother Frank bought the UFC, with White installed as its president.[1] White currently owns 9% of Zuffa, LLC, the entity the Fertitta brothers created to own and manage the UFC.[2]

Personal life[edit]

White and his wife have two sons and a daughter.[3]He is an atheist, but has stated that he is "fascinated" by religion.[4] White is a passionate Boston Red Sox fan having grown up in Maine.

In May 2012, White revealed that he had been diagnosed with Ménière's disease.[5] The UFC on Fuel TV 3: "Korean Zombie vs. Poirier" event was to be the first he had missed in 11 years with White staying home as per doctors orders. White is undergoing Orthokine treatment for Ménière's disease which he says has greatly reduced his symptoms from the disease.[6]

Charity[edit]

In December 2010 White donated $50,000 to the Francisco Espinoza foundation. White donated approximately $8,000 to help pay for the brain tumor treatment of two-year-old British girl, Ruby Owen. The young girl's family had described themselves as being "shocked and over the moon". Ruby Owen's uncle, being a UFC fan had contacted White via email and asked if he could help by donating to the Ruby Owen fund raising website. White and Owen have never officially met.[7] In an act of compassion towards a fan, he gave $300 to one man without hesitation who said that he "just received a speeding ticket while racing across town to meet him".[8] Shortly after being named 2009 Nevada Sportsman of The Year, White added $100,000 from his pocket to the $250,000 total raised for the fund raising marathon sponsored by ESPN Radio 1100 for Las Vegas.[9]

Accomplishments[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Wickert, Marc (2004). "Dana White and the future of UFC". Knucklepit.com.  Mirror
  2. ^ McCarthy, Michael (2005-04-10). "Battles yield winning 'Fighter'". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-03-25. 
  3. ^ "UFC boss fights clock Gung-ho White wishes there were more hours in day". ReviewJournal.com. 2009-07-07. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
  4. ^ "Dana White Tells Playboy About His Atheism, Steroid Use and Love for Donald Trump". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2010-05-20. 
  5. ^ Kevin Iole. "Dana White diagnosed with Ménière's disease, misses first live UFC card in more than 11 years". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved 7 July 2012. 
  6. ^ http://www.mmajunkie.com/news/2013/04/ufc-boss-dana-white-credits-alex-rodriguez-orthokine-for-beating-menieres
  7. ^ UFC president makes charity donation | Ruby Owen | Dana White. This is Staffordshire (2010-03-01). Retrieved on 2012-04-23.
  8. ^ Dana White Pays For A Fan’s $300 Speeding Ticket. Fightofthenight.Com (2010-08-01). Retrieved on 2012-04-23.
  9. ^ Wrestling – Dana White Named 2009 Nevada Sportsman Of The Year. 411mania.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-23.
  10. ^ "Dana White honored as "Sportsman of the Year" while $2K awarded to The Caring Place. Dana White has been quoted as saying "June 26, 2010 is the happiest day of my life.". MMAjunkie. 2009-07-27. Retrieved 2009-08-08. 
  11. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2011). "Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, CA): 1–40. ISSN 10839593. 
  12. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 30, 2012). "Jan 30 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: Gigantic year-end awards issue, best and worst in all categories plus UFC on FX 1, death of Savannah Jack, ratings, tons and tons of news". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, CA). ISSN 10839593. 
  13. ^ Meltzer, Dave (January 23, 2013). "The 2012 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Annual Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter (Campbell, California). ISSN 10839593. 
  14. ^ Mrosko, Geno. (2009-03-19) UFCs Dana White accepts Patriot Award for humanitarian efforts to raise money for injured soldiers. MMAmania.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-23.

External links[edit]

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