Dana White Reveals He’s No Longer Involved in Fighter Negotiations
In a significant development during a Nevada court hearing, UFC President Dana White disclosed that he is no longer involved in fighter negotiations. This statement was made during testimony related to the ongoing anti-trust lawsuit involving the UFC, which has drawn considerable attention.
Dana White’s Testimony in Anti-Trust Lawsuit
White was called to testify on February 4, 2026, amid allegations concerning the mishandling of communications. The lawsuit, Johnson v. Zuffa, involves claims that UFC executives, including White and Vice President Tracy Long, failed to preserve important documents and messages necessary for the case.
During a two-and-a-half-hour testimony, White portrayed himself as out of touch with fighter negotiations, claiming, “You won’t find one manager on this planet who will tell you I’ve negotiated a deal in I don’t know how long.” He stated that responsibilities for negotiations have shifted to Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell and UFC matchmakers Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby.
Context of the Testimony
This change came after Endeavor’s acquisition of the UFC in 2016 for $4.4 billion. White elaborated, saying, “I did this for over twenty years and I don’t want to do it anymore.” His reluctance to engage in negotiations appears to reflect a broader shift in the UFC’s management strategy since the ownership change.
Issues with Missing Communications
White’s statements also raised questions about missing text messages and other communications associated with his various devices. Both White and Long maintained they had difficulty retrieving these records, with Long noting extensive hold times when attempting to gather messages from Verizon.
- Date of Testimony: February 4, 2026
- Key Individuals: Dana White, Tracy Long, Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard, Sean Shelby
- Business Transition: UFC acquired by Endeavor in 2016 for $4.4 billion
Ongoing Spoliation Hearing
The spoliation hearing is ongoing, with Judge Boulware overseeing the proceedings. Boulware had previously presided over a $375 million anti-trust settlement involving fighters. The court is investigating whether the UFC has deliberately hidden evidence, which could potentially influence the outcome of the lawsuit.
Despite White’s claims of diminished involvement, lawyers for the plaintiffs have illustrated that there were instances of contact between Long and fighters, which were not documented. The hearing’s developments could reshape perceptions of both White’s role and the UFC’s business practices.
