UFC CEO Dana White is making it clear that everyone is welcome inside the Octagon, regardless of their sexual orientation. Still, they can’t expect the promotion to include Pride Night celebrations like other sporting leagues.
In a candid interview, White explained why the UFC has deliberately stayed away from identity-themed events, saying the organization prefers to treat everyone equally without turning inclusion into a public campaign.
Dana White explains that the UFC will not introduce Pride Night events under its current programming strategy
During an interview with Outkick’s Tomi Lahren, White said, “I don’t give a s—. I don’t care what you are or who you are or what you do. We don’t talk about that or any of that stuff. I’m just not into it.”
About the presence of alternate sexual orientations within the fighting fraternity, he added, “I’m staring at my roster of top 15 fighters. I’m assuming we have some gay fighters. I don’t know how many are open. I know that we have some gay female fighters.”
White’s remarks come just days after UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit sparked outrage with a derogatory comment about former First Lady Michelle Obama, where he called her a “man”. This prompted the UFC CEO to call the statement “disgusting” while still defending the fighter’s right to free speech.
As reported by TMZ, White reacted to the incident, saying, “You think I’m happy about what Josh Hokit said? I’m trying to unify the country, and he goes out and says something absolutely stupid [about Michelle Obama] like he did that night.”
While White says the UFC welcomes everyone regardless of sexual orientation, he made it clear that Pride Night is not part of the promotion’s plans. For the UFC CEO, inclusion means treating every fighter and fan the same rather than spotlighting any particular group.
DO YOU AGREE WITH WHITE’S VIEWS?
