How UFCs Dana White went from two-time college dropout to the White House lawn: Dangerous gambler
Dana White is a gambling man.In his home city of Las Vegas, the UFC book is known to bet as much as $400,000 per hand at the baccarat tables.
His wagering and drinking were once so prolific that he lost $3 million over the course of a single night and did not realize it — until his casino host told him the next day.Nevertheless, according to Vegas host Steve Cyr, “Dana is a dangerous gambler because he’ll play three hands for $300,000 each, win and go home with $900,000.He’ll hit and run.
He won’t play for hours, and he doesn’t give a s–t about comps.He’s got his own jets and will pay for his own dinner.
Plus, he has the bankroll” to withstand losses and bet huge.White’s last gamble? Sixty-million dollars to put on UFC Freedom 250, a mixed martial arts extravaganza that brought fights to the White House Lawn.The eight-figure sum provided President Trump with the ultimate 80th birthday party, some 200,000 people watching live and what White characterized as “monstrous” numbers for streaming views.As for what White himself might have gotten out of the whole thing, biographer Michael Thomsen, author of “Cage Kings,” told The Post, “I’m sure it was a high-water mark for Dana.
He’s always been big on visualizing; he’s a big Tony Robbins fan and that is one of Tony’s main tenants.He could have easily visualized [the White house event].
It’s one of those weird little things that become possible when you have your nose down and you go step by step.On a professional level, I think it is very meaningful and life-affirming for him, to go where no one else has gone.”According to Sports Illustrated, White has ascended to a point that few of us will ever go to: The magazine reported in 2025 that he had a net worth of some $500 million.
“My gut inclination would be that it is probably more than that.Before the UFC sale to Endeavor [for $4 billion, in 2016, of which White is said to have received some $360 million], he received at ...