Dana White tipped to leave UFC CEO role in move that would shock the MMA world
Dana White has been sensationally tipped to leave his CEO role with the UFC in a move that would shock the MMA world.
White was president of the UFC after acquiring the MMA promotion with brothers Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta.
Following the company's merger with WWE to form TKO Group, White was made CEO of the UFC.
He's been with the UFC since 2001 and under his stewardship, it has grown into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that is universally recognised around the globe.
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But UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes the 55-year-old would leave his role with the UFC if President-elect Donald Trump asked him to be his Chief of Staff in the White House.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani show, Sonnen, who fought Anderson Silva and Jon Jones during his storied MMA career, said: "Dana did say, and this was in 2016, that if Trump asked him to be Chief of Staff he would leave the UFC and go be Chief of Staff.
"Dana has never said anything in the history of him learning how to speak that is anything against the UFC and he said 'I would leave the UFC to be his Chief of Staff'."
"I respect the president so much I would do this for Biden... I would do it if a President called on me. I would serve."
A Chief of Staff is not a legally required, but all Presidents since Harry S. Truman have appointed one.
The Chief of Staff is the most senior political appointee in the White House and the role is recognised as one of great power and influence.
What has Dana White said about Donald Trump winning the US Presidential election?
Trump was in attendance for last weekend's UFC 309 in New York City, New York, as he watched Jones defend his UFC heavyweight championship against Stipe Miocic.
After the event, White was asked if Trump being President is a positive for the UFC as a business.
"I think it’s positive for the world to be honest with you," he said via MMA Fighting. "No matter what side of the fence you sit on politically, you cannot deny there’s almost like this weight that’s been lifted off the country right now and this sigh of relief.
"Things are already getting better. He’s not even in there yet.
"Like I said earlier, I can feel the difference. When I go into places like New York that’s normally crazy blue and people are running up to me and thanking me and saying... and New York has a completely different vibe this time than the last time or several times that I’ve been here - it feels like New York again. It does."
Topics: Dana White, UFC
Nasir Jabbar