Dana White’s Growing Ties with Marco Rubio and Potential Political Moves
Dana White, the influential UFC president who backed Donald Trump’s successful 2024 campaign, has developed a close relationship with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This friendship suggests there might be future political aspirations as 2028 approaches.
This shift in White’s focus comes after the UFC announced an unusual partnership with the State Department focused on “sports diplomacy.” White and Rubio formalized this collaboration with a memorandum last month. Under this agreement, UFC fighters and coaches will act as “sports ambassadors,” connecting with youth across the globe via the State Department’s Sports Envoy Program.
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White described Rubio as a “great guy” and appreciates how he handles himself. He even mentioned meeting Rubio’s children and noted, “So, never say never.” When pressed about the possibility of Rubio being a formal nominee to succeed Trump, White did clarify, “I didn’t say I would.” He also expressed admiration for Vice President J.D. Vance, another rumored candidate for the presidency in 2028.
UFC and State Department Collaboration
While White didn’t fully endorse Rubio, the partnership with the State Department highlights his favorable view of him. This collaboration marks the first of its kind for the UFC. The NFL had previously entered into a similar agreement earlier this year, making it the only other major sports organization with such a formal partnership.
UFC’s Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating it would enable both organizations to “work together to build bridges through community engagement.” He added, “UFC is a truly global organization with athletes from 75 countries, so I’m excited to start this initiative with Secretary Rubio later this year.”
On the other hand, Rubio praised the UFC for its global growth and values that transcend the sport: “The UFC has become a global phenomenon by embracing principles like excellence, discipline, opportunity, and meritocracy.” He expressed pride in initiating this partnership with the UFC to further expand the sport of MMA.
