Dana White on Trump, men and UFC at the White House | NPR's Newsmakers

The UFC’s evolution from a stigmatized sport to a multi-billion dollar enterprise serves as the backdrop for examining the intersection of combat sports, politics, and personal resilience. Dana White, president of the UFC, highlights the organization’s growth and the upcoming White House event as a celebration of American diversity, featuring fighters from various immigrant backgrounds. Combat sports carry inherent risks, yet rigorous medical protocols and the personal agency of athletes remain central to the sport's operational philosophy. Beyond the ring, the discussion touches on White’s long-standing friendship with Donald Trump, characterizing the former president as a resilient figure. White frames his own political stance as that of a 1980s-era centrist, expressing frustration with the polarized nature of modern political discourse while maintaining that his professional focus remains on the stories and backgrounds of his fighters.