UFC CEO Dana White is known for his bold, brash demeanor and straightforward approach. In a rare showing of vulnerability, White became visibly emotional while recounting an act of charity that saved a young girl’s life years ago. The UFC boss shared the heartwarming story on a recent podcast appearance.
White explained he stumbled upon an online plea for help while mindlessly browsing the internet one weekend. A man had posted about his daughter, then just a baby, urgently needing $50,000 for life-saving heart surgery in Thailand. The poster essentially demanded that Dana White, known for high-stakes gambling, cough up the funds immediately. Surprisingly, the candid approach resonated with White.
The guy was like, ‘Dana White, you need to f*cking put this money up right now and donate it to her. You f*cking bet this much playing blackjack,’ … This dude is f*cking absolutely right. He’s not wrong. I’m supposed to do this. It was f*cking weird. So I end up reaching out [to] find out if it’s real. It’s real. And I send the $50,000 over.
Dana White via In Search of Excellence Podcast
The UFC CEO‘s generosity allowed the high-risk operation to proceed successfully. Years later, the thankful family memorialized White’s act of kindness. Massive photos depicting him as a “guardian angel” grace the walls of their Thai gym and the girl’s bedroom. White revealed that he even paid for her schooling and other medical bills.
The tough-as-nails executive, who built the UFC into a billion-dollar empire clearly has a softer side. White’s poignant recollection served as a welcomed palette cleanser. This tender moment highlighted White’s complex persona, an intriguing blend of crude bluster and disarming benevolence.
Dana White and his other charitable endeavors
The UFC CEO has demonstrated his penchant for philanthropy through several other charitable acts. Dana White always shows his classy side when people least expect him to. He donated $1 million to Hawaii wildfire relief efforts. The sports entertainment mogul has earned a reputation as someone who gives back.
Dana White’s other contributions to charity (via Sports Illustrated)Additionally, the UFC boss has backed individual fighters’ charitable foundations over the years. Most notably, he matched former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s $100,000 donation to Dustin Poirier‘s ‘The Good Fight organization’ after their 2019 title bout. Another of his charitable tales includes donations to bone cancer survivor Cody O’Conor’s charity. This charity aims to help families of children with cancer.
White has also supported causes closer to home. White pledged a staggering $1 million to provide aid for victims’ families and survivors. This was following the tragic 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. White’s magnanimous deeds clearly demonstrate a desire to utilize his vast resources in beneficial ways. The self-made mogul hasn’t forgotten his working-class roots.
