Dana White Quietly Signs New Five-Year Extension With UFC Parent Company TKO

Nearly 25 Years Running the UFC

Dana White, 56, is approaching the quarter-century mark as the most influential executive in mixed martial arts. After orchestrating the UFC’s purchase in 2001 alongside childhood friends Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, White became the promotion’s president and oversaw its transformation from a struggling niche property into a global combat-sports powerhouse.

He held the title of president until April 2023, when the UFC’s longtime ownership structure shifted following the merger of UFC and WWE into TKO Holdings. White’s position was then reclassified as UFC CEO, though his authority and day-to-day control over matchmaking, promotion, and business strategy remained unchanged.

A Stabilizing Move During a Transformative Era

Dana White’s extension comes during a period of rapid expansion for the UFC:

• The promotion is preparing its historic White House event in 2026.

• UFC’s deal with ESPN is set to expire after the 2025 calendar year, meaning major broadcast negotiations are on the horizon.

• The company is aggressively expanding internationally, including recent events announced in Mexico, Sydney, London, and other major global markets.

Keeping White in place provides TKO with continuity as it navigates new media landscapes, revenue models, and regulatory challenges.

A Legacy Still in Motion

Despite repeated speculation throughout the years about his exit including during the UFC’s sale to Endeavor in 2016 and again during the TKO merger White has repeatedly emphasized his passion for the job and his belief that the UFC still has room to grow.

His new deal ensures he will continue to shape the sport’s future well into the next decade.