Dana White believes the Ultimate Fighting Championship emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic stronger because the promotion refused to stop evolving.
The UFC CEO reflected on the organization’s response when the sporting world came to a standstill in the spring of 2020. While many organizations were forced to suspend operations, White said the UFC’s priority was finding a way to continue staging events despite widespread shutdowns and travel restrictions.
The UFC CEO recalls creating Fight Island after pandemic shutdowns threatened events
During his recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, White said that the promotion had three priorities as they entered the pandemic. They wanted to keep every employee on payroll, fulfill their contractual obligations to fighters and continue delivering events for their broadcast partner, ESPN.
“I talked to the governor and told him I could put on fights,” White recalled, reflecting on the obstacles they faced. “I just needed production guys. We could social distance, wear masks, do all the things they required. And he told me I couldn’t do it.”
White said the UFC then began exploring alternatives.
“I was like, ‘Well, you know what? I’ll go to a deserted island somewhere, set up an Octagon, and do it,’” White said. “That’s how Fight Island was created, and our sport grew 77% during COVID.”
The UFC ultimately established its Fight Island bubble on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, allowing the promotion to continue holding international events while much of the sports world remained dormant. This kept the UFC afloat and even led to a surge in popularity.
By April 2021, the UFC was once again welcoming fans to events in the United States, and three months later returned to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 264, headlined by a trilogy bout between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor. Looking back, White said the challenges of the pandemic reinforced the culture he has tried to build within the organization.
“That’s why when it’s time to run into the fire, my team runs with me,” he added. “You find out who everybody is when hard times hit.”
