Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White revealed on a podcast Monday that he threatened to resign from the company to protect host Joe Rogan from being fired.
White appeared on Rex Fridman’s podcast and spoke about his friendship with Rogan and how the two have worked together over the years to build the UFC brand. Fridman brought up a phone conversation between White and Rogan from sometime last year, saying he was trying to get Rogan out because the UFC was “cancelled” over issues. (Related article: Katt Williams links transgenderism to occult rituals, Hollywood propaganda, leaves Rogan speechless)
White expressed his loyalty to Logan and others he has worked with over the years, emphasizing that he was never the type of person to “push” others. The UFC CEO said his loyalty will always remain as long as he is in his position.
“I really value loyalty,” Fridman said. “And I remember there was a moment a little while ago, maybe a year ago, where I was sitting with Joe and he was on the phone with you. Joe canceled for some reason, They didn’t want him to commentate on the games. You offered to resign over this over the phone. It brought me to tears. That’s so – you’re a good person. You. But you know what? That was powerful.”
“Anyone who’s been with me, anyone who’s been with me, knows that when you’re with me, you’re with me,” White responded. “It’s a two-way street. No, it’s not a one-way street. I’m not a person who flips out. It’s like going through the coronavirus pandemic… Some people have been with me for 20 years. Are you going to fire them? This motherfucker will continue to burn before I do that to my people.”
“That will never happen. Nothing like that will ever happen while I’m here,” White continued. “I can’t say what’s going to happen when I leave. But the people who have been with me and been with me when I’ve been here know exactly what’s going on. And Joe I know what’s going on, and again, it’s a two-way street. Joe Rogan is very loyal to me and I’m very loyal to Joe Rogan.”
In 2022, Rogan received backlash online after he reappeared in an old video of his podcast, The Joe Rogan Experience, repeatedly saying the n-word. The video was released after Mr Rogan had already been criticized for his stance on coronavirus, with some claiming he was spreading misinformation.
Although the backlash eventually subsided, companies with ties to Rogan, including the UFC, began to feel pressure to address the issue.
