UFC CEO Dana White will reportedly receive a lucrative payout for joining Meta’s Board of Directors under the leadership of Mark Zuckerberg.
Dana White and Mark Zuckerberg are undoubtedly two of the best businessmen in the world for their success at UFC and Meta respectively. After Zuckerberg added White to Meta’s Board of Directors, the UFC headman will reportedly make solid pay for his efforts.
According to Sportico, SEC filings showed White will receive 1,999 stock units (valued at over $1.2 million) from Meta after Zuckerberg hired him. In addition, White received a $50,000 check immediately after his appointment to the Board of Directors.
Zuckerberg, in a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, explained why he made the unconventional decision to add a Meta outsider to the company’s Board of Directors. He alluded to White’s ‘legendary business acumen’ and ‘strong backbone’ as two significant reasons for the hire.
Zuckerberg and White have developed a close friendship in recent years, amidst Zuckerberg’s newfound love for martial arts. He’s attended numerous major events over the last year, including a cageside seat for UFC 300.
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Report: Dana White paid $50,000 immediately after Meta hire
White also attempted to book an MMA fight between Zuckerberg and business magnate Elon Musk before negotiations fell through. Zuckerberg is an avid Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and has competed in several grappling tournaments since he began training.
Despite the Musk fight falling apart, Zuckerberg has expressed profound interest in booking an amateur MMA fight soon. He’s also White’s proposed solution to fixing the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, despite a dramatic U-turn on the Jon Jones vs. Islam Makhachev debate.
White says he’s actively working with Zuckerberg to integrate AI into the UFC’s rankings system and should have an announcement to make on their progress in the coming weeks.
Meta is working with the UFC to enhance its fighter rankings
White is also a close friend and ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, who hosted Zuckerberg and other technology innovators at his inauguration in Washington D.C. Zuckerberg and Meta have recently changed their policies on content moderation and other facets of the company amidst their new collaboration with Trump and other political leaders.
White’s new gig at Meta won’t impact his standing at UFC, and he’s proposed keeping his position as the promotion’s president for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, the Zuckerberg/White partnership is something to keep an eye on as MMA continues to grow in 2025 and beyond.
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