Dana White is an avid gambler and a well-known risk taker, but will a challenge to the tune of $20 million catch his eye?
Not many combat sports fans would’ve had ‘Dana White vs Pillow Fighting’ on their bingo card for 2025 – but nevertheless, here we are.
After the UFC boss insulted this unique sport over the weekend, Bloody Elbow can now exclusively reveal the response of Steve Williams, CEO of the Pillow Fighting Championship.
Dana White receives $20 million challenge after Pillow Fighting insult
After catching glimpses of the PFC on television during his time down under, Dana White would take a swipe at the strange (but surging sport) of Pillow Fighting at the UFC 312 post-fight press conference on Sunday morning.
“I saw f—— pillow fighting on f—— TV tonight here in Australia, I don’t want to ever hear another word from you people about Power Slap, okay? Ever,” lamented the UFC boss.
Well, it didn’t take long for those comments to reach PFC CEO Steve Williams, who reached out to Bloody Elbow to offer a response on behalf of the promotion.
“Dear Dana, every one of your past, present and future UFC fighters started out first as pillow fighters including “you”. Pillow Fighting is all part of growing up. Offense, Defense, Targeting, Scoring, Cardio Regulation. Great Pillow Fighters make Great UFC Champions.
“Don’t hate on PFC, we’re actually one of your training partners. We’ll also be a money-making home for future UFC fighters and former champs who get in the PFC Rings. Since you started this somewhat humorous disrespect, why don’t you give me a chance to finish it.”
Williams would then offer a challenge to the tune of $20 million – simply put, the PFC boss wants White to put his money where his head is.
“I hereby challenge you to put your top 10 fighters to a televised Pillow Fight Championship against my top 10 team. If you win, I present the belt to you and shut down PFC forever. I’ll lose the millions and the 5 years I invested growing the sport to what it is today.
“But if you lose, you present the PFC belt to me and my Champion and invest $20 million in PFC for 10%. Then you’ll help me make the worlds most ancient combat sport and PFC into another worldwide success and also be “Pillow Boss”. A title far more valuable.”
Williams would then add a rather humorous postscript: “P.S. Elon and Zuck and every other real Celebrity will only get in the PFC Ring.”
- MMA HISTORY: Dana White bought billion-dollar UFC rights for only $3million during tumultuous early spell for the promotion
Despite looking rather silly from the outside, the Pillow Fighting Championship does market itself as a professional fighting organization with sanctioned bouts.
There’s also a defined ruleset that athletes must follow, with points scored based on the type and power of pillow strikes landed and deducted for fouls, such as if a fighter stands still for more than 3 seconds.
Pillow Fighting is also one of the rare sports where showmanship is rewarded on the scoreboard, as stated on its website.
“Dodging a series of strikes from opponent, or performing an acrobatic type move such as a summersault or cartwheel that ends with a strike that awards you a point, or getting airborne with both feet off the ground and ends with a strike to opponent that awards you a point.”
The promotion currently has three events on its 2025 calendar; the Arnold Sports Festival on February 28, Charleston RiverDogs Fight Night on April 19, and a return to Mr. Olympia in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 20.
One way or another, someone’s going to sleep.