Dana White: UFC, Fighting, Khabib, Conor, Tyson, Ali, Rogan, Elon & Zuck | Lex Fridman Podcast
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TRANSCRIPT:
lexfridman.com/dana-white-tra...
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OUTLINE:
0:00 - Introduction
0:57 - Mike Tyson and early days of fighting
11:35 - Jiu jitsu
17:39 - Origin of UFC
31:50 - Joe Rogan
37:56 - Lorenzo Fertitta
40:23 - Great fighters
44:20 - Khabib vs Conor
47:27 - Jon Jones
50:28 - Conor McGregor
55:31 - Trump
1:01:09 - Elon vs Zuck
1:02:30 - Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul
1:05:18 - Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar
1:12:31 - Gambling
1:27:33 - Mortality
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Here are the timestamps. Please check out our sponsors to support this podcast. Transcript: lexfridman.com/dana-white-transcript 0:00 - Introduction & sponsor mentions: - LMNT: drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - Notion: notion.com/lex - AG1: drinkag1.com/lex to get 1 month supply of fish oil - InsideTracker: insidetracker.com/lex to get 20% off 0:57 - Mike Tyson and early days of fighting 11:35 - Jiu jitsu 17:39 - Origin of UFC 31:50 - Joe Rogan 37:56 - Lorenzo Fertitta 40:23 - Great fighters 44:20 - Khabib vs Conor 47:27 - Jon Jones 50:28 - Conor McGregor 55:31 - Trump 1:01:09 - Elon vs Zuck 1:02:30 - Mike Tyson vs Jake Paul 1:05:18 - Forrest Griffin vs Stephan Bonnar 1:12:31 - Gambling 1:27:33 - Mortality
Please interview: Abby Martin, Rabbi Elhanan Beck, George Galloway, Ilan Pappe, Christopher Bollyn, Mohammed El-Kurd (part 2), Dave Smith
I thought Dana said I will never get on podcast again, how the hell did you persuade him to do it again 😅😂😂
You’re my favorite interviewer at the moment. Dana is an advocate for free speech. Nothing but respect!
No antitrust lawsuit questions?
Lex-Kelly Slater surfer still competing on the top world tour at 52beating kids more than half his age almost triple his age, 11 world titles!! --‘11’-- world titles!! Won Big wave surf contests too. Blows Ali away. Kelly is funny and personable and knowledgeable. Everyone is so disrespecting Kelly right now. He’s still on the top tour at 52 winning!!
Been saving the oil for this one
Huh
@@Jay-pd9kc I think he's letting us know he's gonna jack it.
💀🤣
@@johnnypottseedoh ffs! 😂
@johnnypottseed Yeah, he gonna make the bald man cry
Finally, Dana is on a proper podcast.
I love that Biden, unlike Putin and Trump, DOESN’T call Dana White after every UFC event.
@@sthubbins4038who?
When he walked off Howie Mandel 😂. If you can't shake his hand you can't have him as a guest.
@@sthubbins4038Biden also called black people monkeys, also was best friends with a kkk grand dragon ,and the best of it all joe Biden your president stood in the way of abolishing jim crow , but yea he is awesome for not watching ufc
He was so pissed he said I’m not doing another podcast again hahah, Lex is top notch
Didn't want this one to end. Could easily listen for a couple of more hours. Hope there is part 2
That quote at the end man!
So true 👍
I've never heard a Dana interview that wasn't captivating. I can't even imagine the UFC without him. Let's cherish this time, this era, of which he has been at the tip of the spear. 🙏
In thumbnail, dana looks like thanos.
Lmao
Dana is real life thanos
He is.
He does vanish people with one click of his fingers
Ends careers for pissing him off. Savage
“Whatever takes your attention on a Saturday night is my competitor” - Dana White For a UFC fan from the UK where the fights usually take place from 1am - 6am, apparently my sleep is Dana’s competitor 😂😂 He won that match countless times, so fair play 😆
man that sucks! I'm pretty happy with it in Australia! Sunday's 10am early prelims, main card is at 2pm.
Underrated comment lol thats funny
youtube.com/@MIVILOVER?si=VIepfwtPPwbPUX5c?sub_confirmation=1
yes, it is
I can’t do the late nights anymore 😂 Turn your phone off watch it In The morning ✊
What a great interview! I never knew Dana trained jiu jitsu. Hearing his stories about starting in jiu jitsu was great. Everyone who trains jiu jitsu goes through that car on the chest feeling 😂
This is the best sit down conversation I’ve ever seen. Lex has a way of asking the right questions to the right people w/ zero extra. Dana is seen my millions of people in millions of different ways. The level of authenticity I felt watching this was very inspirational. Will be watching again when I’m feeling run down. Thank you both.
The fawning over a guy with little more life than a corpse comes off as paid engagement. Shilling. He could of asked a question that wasn’t a softball. That would be “the right” questions if he was the big hitter you claim.
@@henrywolf5332 which is what? Why did you “abuse” your wife?
@@Williamjames215 or maybe "why are these guys trading years of their life, and years OFF their life, for $50-60k a year and aren't allowed to get their own sponsors. Yeah, maybe that one.
@@Williamjames215 Sure, or any questions that lead somewhere would be nice. This comment section is strange. Just a bunch of people fawning over Lex, not the interview. Seems inorganic relative to other channels.
I wish this podcast was about 10 to 20 hours longer.
3 days, according to dana....
Always happy to see Joe Rogan and Lex having a talk. So excited to listen!
😂😂😂
That's funny because he actually looks a bit like Rogan
@@mastervibes2296 We can all look like that, just wait til your 50's to start a TRT regiment, shave your head, and boom you're good to go.
When I was a newbie in the mma world, I thought Dana white was Joe Rogan
Lol
brilliant podcast, with great questions! my first Lex listen!
It's so refreshing to see a podcast where the guest talks about things they love opposed to being asked "I gotcha" questions. Dana and Lex are awesome, great job and thank you!
Damn, wish this was one of those 3 hour episodes 😢
Felt like 20 min
He had a budget meeting to attend.
Just be grateful for this good vid
51:22 'Fook it. Let's do it.' 😂
Hearing Dana say himself and Joe Rogan absolutely don't care about money is fucking hilarious. Best part by far. 😂
It’s become such an obsession for them, that response is 100% delusional denile. Or they’ve reached such a wealth point wear they really don’t need to care about money now. But more money makes more obsession ? Idk
Yeah because. Every hip hop artist, con men Zelinsky, Netunyahu pand Demorat 🐀 do it to serve the people
they dont care because they have so much money they dont have to care. kinda makes sense.
@@gmsackman I believe he said he never cared about money. lol
My favorite part was hearing Dana talk about Vision Quest. Unbelievable. I’m a 53 year old Army veteran, and that movie hit so hard back then, my four adult children knows who Chute is. That movie makes you want to be more. It should have won the Oscar that year. I’ve watched every UFC since. Thank you UFC.
Easily one of Dana Whites best interviews. Love the behind the scenes back stories. Dana should really think about putting more of this out. Like in a book or a video documentary. Would be an instant banger.
Loved hearing him talk about how much he loves his life. I've been chasing that feeling for so many years. So glad to hear when others have found it!
You must love yourself first before you are able to love others (her). Your wife is a teacher holding up a mirror for you. She technically has nothing to do with this - she can't win in this scenario since it's always been you. Eat healthy, work out, watch some stand up, smoke some weed, exhaust yourself physically then throw out a prayer and welcome the change. You got this!
They earned it they didn't find it... because they chased purpose, not "feeling of happiness". Your types will almost never understand. Change your mindset.
@@romanteni there is zero possibility that you have any idea what my "type" is 😆. You've somehow demonized me for being happy for someone who is loving life to the highest degree so much that they hate falling asleep. I'm very accomplished and have earned every bit of that. I don't hate my life and was only inspired to have that level of excitement about my own one day. You don't know my "type" I assure you.
He is struggling to breathe throughout the entire video. Deep breaths
That feeling is nothing more than prolonged thoughts of gratitude for what you already have. There's nothing to find, you can access it at any moment.
Awesome conversation, Lex. Wish this had been 3 hours long.
Wow the last part of that interview puts Dana in a different category for me… Lex too… very inspiring!!
Wonderful excerpt. Where may I find the full length conversation?
Criminally underrated comment
hahaha. this is brilliant.
@@chris-p-rat truly underrated 👌👍
a wild ligo12 was spotted
can you explain? i want to know why it is funny lol
I’ve been going down a ufc rabbit hole and this interview comes out. Love it
Welcome Brother!
Same. Got into it after hearing about Khabib last year and now I'm genuinely considering subscribing to Fight Pass lmao
Have you checked out the channels ‘Larone’ or ‘Joseph Vincent’? Highly suggest it!
That sounded dirtier than I think you meant it ?
@@STOPPEDINCOLORADO I’m saying lol can’t wait to watch 300
As a Vegas local and fight man, Dana is a living Legend. Thank you Lex for hosting this great convo.
This was a great conversation lex
That Mohamad Ali quote was on point. Great interview!
Goat of Goats!
As a boxer he was good not great
A very welcomed and unexpected surprise to see uncle Dana on here! Time to get some snacks! Thanks Lex and thanks Dana!
Agreed
You're f*ing weird and not in a good way.
Nah time to get on the treadmill b
@@chutcentral Time to get on the Peloton!
The problem with the UFC and White is that they prefer to have "stars" than fighters. They are marketers first.
Probably the best interview I’ve ever seen with Dana. Pure authenticity and candidness delivered by such measured handling by Lex
The dude looks like Joe Rogan's dad.
Six minutes in and you're already unconditionally certain this is gonna be a banger of a pod
Rehashing the same old stories you've heard a million times.
Finally a podcaster who has done his homework (research) on the person he is interviewing.
If you don’t already know, Lex is one of the best in this game. He’s invested in genuine and impactful conversations! He isn’t just podcasting for the sake of podcasting.
Yeah good interview here with Joe Rogan.
its just a fan boy
Really? Why didn't he didn't mention the physical abuse to his wife or the fact that his mom hates him partly because he cheated on his wife with his sister in law in his moms house? You could write an entire book about stuff Lex didn't mention. You could watch this interview and almost think Dana was a decent human being. The interview didn't scratch the surface of who this guy really is or what the UFC is really like. It was more like a propaganda piece than an interview.
Really interesting statement (comment)
Thank you for the podcast and advise at the end!
Beautiful pod Lex! Keep up the great work man!
I used to think Forrest wasn't afraid of danger because he fought in a cage - what a joke. He drove a Kia for 200,000+ miles? Dude has a fucking death wish.
I thought kia’s were reliable
Kia’s are pretty reliable 😂
I’m pretty sure it was a scion.
@@Happycamper808 Just type "Kia engines" into KZhead and you'll see a bunch of videos about their engine problems. Kia and Hyundai are trash.
@@user-jk7dy3rq8t They're reliably stolen, so there's that at least.
Let’s see how this whole thing plays out
I want to like this but the typo 😤😤
@@TheRealHerbaSchmurba lmao
@@dana_white55 like given
Abbello!!
You picked a good podcast return to podcasts
Lex pretending he remembers those boxing matches 🤣🤣🤣
I picked up on this too. Didn't have a clue bless him.
This podcast was amazing, a lot of it really connected. 👍
Strickland vs DDP 2 asap, please!
Lex screwed up big time on this one! He forgot to properly credit Dana as a philosopher.
And Philanthropist
@@Nobody-bq7pl Howie forgot that one...kzhead.info/sun/l6iipNeXmJ-qZmw/bejne.htmlsi=8ZjwuhymtV2y1Dta
Fullonrapist
Best comment award
@@calmsimon It's an inside joke to get too much traction though haha
Loved this podcast , thank you Lex!❤
Such an excellent discussion. Thank you!
One of the best flowing interviews I’ve ever listened to involving one of my favorite people and personal inspirations on the planet. Dana White as a person and business guy is what I try to be every day in my own company . Thank you for this
Hopefully you pay your employees a living wage 🤞
@@embracedmadnessThey earn enough
Isn't it crazy how Joe Rogan has managed to be the INDUSTRY AUTHORITY in SEVERAL VASTLY DIFFERENT MAJOR INDUSTRIES?? Comedy? MMA? NEWS? PODCASTS? It's nuts. All he does is talk about them. He's a once in a lifetime anomaly.
TV too
Have you seen his stand up?
@@ProudNewDad2023really liked it till i listened go his podcast 😊
comedy?😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
If he doesn’t make it into our history books, then you know this sht is stoopid twisted
We use to watch vision quest during wrestling season, heaters maxed, entire team sweating it out on the mats, preparing for war
Sounds like a fun time, the sack topping must have been amazing,.
We used to watch it also. Great movie to get you focused for a match👍👍👍
I'm Scottish from a small town in East fife and remember the stephan bonner vs forest Griffin fight happening live. My dads mate phoned him and told him to put it on and the next day everyone was telling the tale at high school. Cool moment now looking back
Not missing with the guests recently. Love the podcasts Lex. Much love!
Lex, thank you so much for your work!!! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽
This episode just hits different in a positive way.
I've long been a Lex fan and now I'm huge Dana fan as well. That was a fantastic interview, one of my favorites ever, and I almost skipped it. Thank you!
1:30 Dana's ode to Muhammad Ali is Beautiful. Ali was magic!
He refused to serve his country during the liberation of vietnam, so...not cool
@@hydoffdhagaweyne1037are you being serious? That was an illegal war
@@hydoffdhagaweyne1037 How the fuck do you hold this opinion in 2024? before the war started sure, but now? wtf?
@@kayn6858 It was a peace keeping mission, the US was preventing the commuies from ruining South East Asia.
@@canoninmunaone Only the heroes in the US armed forces whom have served country regardless of the context, will be the ones who will be mentioned in the pantheon of victories heroes, not some athlete who abandoned his nation during it's darkest hour. God Bless 🇺🇲
What a freaking duo. I could listen to these guys chat forever.
One of, if not the best podcast episode I’ve listened to and I’ve listened to a lot. Much respect to Dana after this 🙌🏼
You do a good job with interviews by letting people speak and let audience have a glimpse of who they are and where they come from :-). Nicely done :-).
I get disagreeing with Dana...Disliking Dana... But cant see how you cannot respect the guy. He's a rare CEO that you can count on to give it to you straight and call it as he sees it.
Dana lies on a regular basis, disparages his own fighters, underpays them, and intimidates reporters. He definitely also has good qualities and has done great for the UFC, but no, he does not "give it to you straight", he's as political as any of the others.
Straight talker for sure
@@zazaza1000yeah yeah yeah He who has not sinned throw the first stone. Dana is a promoter. He will tell you what he feels will get u excited about the UFC. About the pay no one forced the fighters to sign the contract. Also if you are so pained about Fighter's pay send them ur personal money to show them you care. Dana is as real as the gate. During the pandemic how many CEO laid off their workers Dana didn't lay off any of his worker but hey you wouldn't speak on that. The Dana hate is REAL.
@@Gratefulfellow this is so stupid. Like I said, Dana is good at some things, and a complete idiot at others. You also have no idea who you're speaking to here, which is hilarious 😂
Finally someone who isn't a Zuffa zombie. Dana is a horrendous"promoter". UFC intentionally keeps down fighter pay to 18% or less. It's sad that Lex didn't have the guts to question this or the anti-trust lawsuit that was just settled out of court before the trial was about to begin. No power or abuses of power held to account these days. Just fake a$$ kissers parading as journalists@@zazaza1000
Total Quality from start to finish!
Dana not stepping out of Lex's pod. There's levels. Loved the interview! Great content!
I remember watching the Forrest Griffin and Stephen Bonnar fight live on TV when I was 14.
Stephen Bornalli?
@@frederickhofmann843 Why? What does destiny have to do with this XD
That was a bloody fight. An amazing fight. RIP Bonnar.
Marcelo Garcia said that nogi is like training in the gi when your grips are tired. And that gi is like when the nogi match starts and you're both totally dry
One of the best interviews I’ve heard in a long time. Could listen to more stories from Dana.
Can't wait for Part 2. This was great
one of the best interviews ever Lex ... love love loved it .... keep up the fantastic work
26:25 coming back to 5th time to this seconds just to digest. What an inspiration from Dana. Thank you for putting up this podcast, Lex!
Thankful for Dana doing regular podcasts
Listening to Dana talk about the scale and the beginnings of the UFC is so fun. "Building a good team". I can't believe they stuck with it. Well done.
53:51 Dana is a philosopher without realising it 💯
so @howiemandell was right
I know what he means about muting the audio. I mute the audio for CFB.. unless it's Gus and Joel haha! I don't need ESPN to tell me what I just saw. I used to love the skycam
good episode again. thanks Lex! love your work!
The only lex episode i watched completely
Lol same. I love Dana
This was a great interview. Always exceeding and entertaining Lex, thank you!
Thanks for educating me on UFC and professional organizer and learning of past UFC champions and evolution..learning of Dana's positive energy!! Nice stuff coming from Budapest!!!
awesome podcast! thank you, Lex!
Merchant was great especially with that line at Mayweather.
Love the spirit of this interview, bare knuckled impression of one's experiences and inner truths. Thank you Dana and Lex for an outstanding no BS expression from one's heart!
Amen
This interview and episode drop timing is perfect. And this is coming from someone with little experience, knowledge,and/or interest in the UFC but now I AM INTERESTED. In learning more about what and where the UFC comes from. This is the right person to see it through, his eyes, danas POV is making it easy for me to get it, the allure. Really interesting how hearing it from him made me want to know more. Good stuff. Hats off to Lex and the work hes doing and sharing for FREE on KZhead.
you should maybe not only look at this sport from the eyes of dana. he is a liar and a promotor. he struck his wife in public just like a year ago. he has probably helped alot of fighters (DC & Chael predominantly) but make no doubt about it. if you get to know how the sausage is made when it comes to the UFC and Dana in perticular... yeah. not the eyes you should ONLY see it through.
Dana White is an incredibly greedy POS who underpays the workers who sacrifice their health for his benefit and our entertainment. The UFC has created a monopsony through exploitive contracts. Go read John Nash on substack who has reported on this if you want to research the UFC
@@technodromen yeah you're right I agree. I meant more like the UFC culture and company as a whole im interested in learning about. The whole thing is fascinating, the community the talent the money the business the people! I think Dana is kinda funny and life through his eyes does have a unique pov as he is immersed in that community and the role it plays in his daily life. His experience and insights are valid to me at least. I hear you tho!
Thank you both great interview
Awesome, have been waiting for this one, thanks guys
I liked when Dana said: winning means also losing. It's part of the game in sports or business. I agree that real successful people understand this concept. There will always be ups and downs in anything you go for. Also, thank you for recommending Vision Quest! 😊
I watched the Stephen and Forest fight with my friends elderly grandmother… this little old country granny had never watch one single UFC fight and I’m sitting right beside her and we were both screaming at the tv!!!! Granny was the best!! I still feel so blessed for that moment with her and kinda shameful that it was an absolute bloodbath in her beautiful little living room!!😅😅😅
Awesome! I have great memories of watching tennis with my Grandmother. I know it's different, but always fun seeing the elderly into sport.
Awesome 👌
Beautiful story
Lex gives the best interviews, and this one is no exception. Can't wait for tge Sphere event!
Perfect quote to wrap it up. Great pod as usual
An all star UFC line up podcast would be incredible with Dana!
Im excited to see if he talks about the Howie thing. Lex is a different breed of human that I imagine Dana respects, so im glad he got him to change his previous statement and come on. Dana has a lot of good insights to offer.
Well done Lex and Dana ! Thanks for the motivation
Vision Quest sounds amazing! I'm gonna have to check this movie out.
Such a great pod. Two amazing and badass dudes! Let’s go!
“Without the vision, there’s nothing.” So true! Visionaries specialize in passion and never give up. 👊
"If a man does not know to which port he sails, no wind is favorable." -Seneca the Younger
@@KVonnegut 💤
What a show! This was so good. Fascinating stuff. Thank you.
This was a great podcast episode! Well done.
Dana mentioning Norm was the best thing on this one
norm mcdonald? timestamp?
timestamp?
1:17:08
Loved the transition into Dana saying he's "not a fan of people fighting at our age" about Mike Tyson in his 50s, about 6 seconds after talking about how he tried to make a fight involving Elon Musk in his 50s...
Dudes a whole hypocrite 😂
they aren't fighters? big difference and you're one of the 99% he's talking about that knows nothing about fighting
@@fubey8x you're making a fool out of yourself lol
Well Zuck and Musk would probably not go for punching and mostly do jujutsu and grappling. The problem when fighting at that age is punches to the head.
@@treali "probably" is not a good arguement lol. You have a situation where you have a guy who is in shape, not even 40 and has actually spent some time training MMA and competing in athletic events, Against a guy in his 50s, completely untrained and who looks like he couldn't do 5 pushups. Both fights are freak shows and that's why it's hypocritical to act like one is safe and the other isn't. For every argument you could make about how it's more dangerous for Mike as Jake is trained, you could just as easily make the reverse argument that at least Mike is in shape and has endless experience along with an elite understanding of boxing defense, whilst Zuck could potentially just throw a big overhand with Elon not having a clue how to defend himself. Some of the worst knockouts come when 2 novices fight but one has at least a slight understanding of what he's doing whilst the other has no clue how to protect himself TLDR - not even saying zuck/Elon is worse, but dana acting like one is bad whilst pushing the other, is silly
Amazing interview quality
This was so good thank you!
Just finished giving the Teddy Atlas pod a relisten. Great stuff. Looking forward to what's in-store here! Thanks! All the best!
LEX- We need “one” with Chatri Sityodtong now. Awesome job thank you 🙏
@UC8hUaqzC_qCUmxHDgcF-niw movies like vision quest move so many people broadly speaking because regardless if one trains , life itself is a fight… “fighting is the best thing a man can have in his soul…” R.G. Thank you for this amazing interview. I was already a Dana fan after seeing a clip of him defending free speech for his fighters from the legacy media. After this interview my respect for him only grew after learning about his loyalty and how he was willing to throw it all away for Rogan his friend. Powerful stuff. Thank you Lex. 🙏
youtube.com/@MIVILOVER?si=VIepfwtPPwbPUX5c?sub_confirmation=1
please make this happen.
Thanks for the podcast lex!
Had to pause at 1:07 to watch that fight Forest Griffin V Stephan Bonnar. Wow. What a fight
Thank you ❤
Loved Tuesday night fights!Who remembers Jimmy Thunder?
With the "Champ" Sean O'Grady!
This may be the only podcast ill ever listen to more than once. Great job. Thank you.
Fantastic interview RESPECT!🎉🎉🎉❤
What a great talk ! Thanks Lex!