Illegal streaming sites seriously threaten live sports networks, particularly combat sports like the UFC, which rely heavily on pay-per-view income. Dana White, the UFC CEO, has long been a vocal critic of illegal streaming. In a surprising turn of events, White recently came under fire for indulging in the conduct he had long condemned.
BKFC Spain recently hosted a fight between two popular combat sports media personalities. The man behind Conor McGregor‘s website, The Mac Life, Oscar Willis, took on combat sports commentator Ben Davis in a fight. In a recent presser, White was asked about the fight. It turns out that the UFC boss streamed the fight illegally.
I moved my schedule around that morning so that I can watch it and then they moved the fight. So, it screwed my whole thing up. I won’t tell you how I watched it but I watched it.
Dana White via Contender Series post-fight press conference
While White didn’t specify the platform, one of the UFC administrators on YouTube typed ‘Streameast.’ The same website recently had an online spat with White for illegal UFC PPV streaming. White believes that federal prison is the only way to deal with unlawful streaming. In response, the official Streameast X account challenged the UFC boss to do something about it.
Dana White is asked if he saw the Ben Davis/Oscar Willis fight. pic.twitter.com/ZiSGoSsjTU
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 16, 2024
Streameast explained their engagement in unauthorized streaming by citing the astronomical cost of pay-per-view events. According to the streaming service, the high cost limits access for the general population. Millionaire Dana White‘s decision to illegally broadcast the bout may not be motivated by cost. However, he did, which piqued the interest of many.
Fans react to Dana White using illegal streaming to watch BKFC fight
Like UFC, boxing has also faced the detrimental impact of illegal streaming websites. While Dana White believes in fighting these streamers head-on, popular Saudi Delegate Turki Alalshikh holds a different opinion. He has also talked about reducing the pay-per-view prices to $20 to promote legal streaming.
Internet piracy has long existed and will continue to do so in the future. While the dispute continues, fans are primarily focused on roasting White for illegal streaming.
“I won’t tell you how I watched it, but I watched it”
JAIL.
— Josh Levitan (@CTUJosh) October 16, 2024
He’s allowed to if he wants but it’d be nice if he outright admitted it
— Streameast News Network (@StreameastNews) October 16, 2024
Dana watched my fight on Stream East 😭 https://t.co/OMhg32A7OC
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) October 16, 2024
Ill never feel guilty ever again
— MAGA MMA (@xRumourz) October 16, 2024
This just in guy that cried about people streaming fights, streams fights.
— Jay (@JayJitsu8) October 16, 2024
Dana White admits he illegally streamed BKFC. SEND HIM TO FEDERAL FUCKING PRISON https://t.co/QKLv0cZ1GB
— MMA Joey (@MMAJOEYC) October 16, 2024
The hypocrisy of wanting to end piracy but he does the same thing
— RuBik (@rubik1917) October 16, 2024
Dana gotta go to federal prison
— BIGSTYLES11 (@ISTYLES11111) October 16, 2024
If he knows how useful they are he should change the ppv model, make it a fairly priced yearly subscription
— Adm (@admeverywhere) October 16, 2024
As expected, many fans ridiculed White for using illegal streaming to watch fights and made jokes about putting him in Jail. Many made sure to call out the CEO for his hypocrisy for ranting about illegal streamers in the past. Streameast officials also commented and showed their satisfaction with White agreeing to illegal streaming.
