Dana White has sparked intense debate after admitting he wanted a UFC fighter to lose last year. Fans immediately began searching for clues behind the shocking confession. The timing added fuel as the UFC prepares for its first event of the year. Anticipation already surrounds the promotion’s return to Las Vegas.
This Saturday, the UFC stages UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The event features an interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. The matchup headlines a card that opens the promotion’s 2025 schedule. The organization views the night as a major commercial moment.
White has appeared across media platforms to promote the event. He has also pushed his first Zuffa Boxing show, which takes place Friday. These appearances followed criticism claiming he stepped back from UFC promotional duties. His latest remarks quickly overshadowed those discussions.
White Breaks From His Usual Neutral Stance
Dana White usually presents himself as neutral when discussing UFC matchups. He often avoids favoring fighters publicly. That approach defined much of his leadership style over the years. However, past events reveal notable exceptions.
White famously clashed with Tito Ortiz during Ortiz’s UFC tenure. Their feud dominated headlines and shaped an era of the promotion. The rivalry even led to talks of a fight between them. That bout never happened.
Years later, White admitted enjoying Ortiz’s knockout loss to Chuck Liddell. He openly linked that reaction to personal dislike. That honesty surprised many fans at the time. Now, White has acknowledged a similar feeling more recently.
A Candid Answer Raises Eyebrows
During an interview with Real 92.3, a host asked White a direct question. The host asked when White last wanted a UFC fighter to lose. White responded without hesitation. He described the question as a good one.
White said the moment likely came in the middle of last year. He explained the UFC employs nearly 1,000 fighters. He admitted mutual dislike sometimes exists within that group. The answer left room for wide interpretation.
Fans Flood Social Media With Theories
White’s comments immediately ignited speculation across social media. Fans rushed to identify the unnamed fighter. Several theories quickly gained traction online.
One fan suggested a bout involving Khamzat Chimaev and Dricus Du Plessis. Another pointed to Magomed Ankalaev’s loss against Alex Pereira. They claimed the outcome aligned with White’s interests.
Other fans focused on the UFC’s promotional direction. One theory suggested White wanted Merab Dvalishvili to lose. That fan argued the promotion aimed to elevate Sean O’Malley. The idea spread rapidly.
Several fans blamed Bryce Mitchell. They cited his controversial behavior and outspoken views. Mitchell fought twice last year, competing in April and July. He suffered a brutal loss to Jean Silva before rebounding against Said Nurmagomedov.
White later issued a public statement addressing Mitchell’s podcast comments. Those remarks sparked backlash beyond the MMA community. “It was no doubt Bryce Mitchell,” one fan claimed. Another critic argued boxing does not need that influence.
