Whether you love or dislike him, Dana White is one of the most influential figures in MMA. However, his eventual departure is inevitable. That day may be closer than expected, as Dana White has accepted a new job with Meta. The question now is: Who will succeed him as UFC CEO?
Dana White Joins Meta Board of Directors, Partners with Mark Zuckerberg to Shape the Future of AI and Social Media
Dana White has officially joined the Meta board of directors, partnering with MMA enthusiast Mark Zuckerberg. Meta operates Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Oculus.
The announcement came just hours ago, with White sharing in a press release that he “never had an interest in joining a board” until the offer from Meta.
“I’m a huge believer in social media and AI’s future… I’m excited to join this incredible team and learn from within. I love building brands, and I look forward to helping elevate Meta.”
Previously, Dana White sought Zuckerberg’s help to implement AI for UFC rankings, with Zuckerberg being a long-time MMA fan.
Zuckerberg praised White’s influence, noting, “With AI, wearables, and social media’s future, our board will help us reach our goals.” He then commended Dana White for building the UFC into “one of the fastest-growing and most popular sports brands globally,” admiring his entrepreneurial success.
Daniel Cormier Predicts Hunter Campbell as the Next UFC CEO
As Dana White’s eventual departure from UFC looms, Daniel Cormier believes the promotion is ready for Hunter Campbell to step in as CEO. In a recent interview, Cormier praised Campbell’s invaluable role behind the scenes saying;
“When was the last time you heard an executive’s name mentioned as much as his?”
According to Cormier, Campbell’s ability to build relationships with fighters and managers has led to successful negotiations that once seemed impossible. Cormier recalled his own experience with Campbell, saying;
“He called with two sentences: ‘We’re going to do this for DC,’ and we were done, no negatives.”
Over the years, Campbell has streamlined contract negotiations, earning the respect of fighters and managers alike. This was noted:
“Listen to the amount of fighters that tip their cap to Dana White and to Hunter Campbell.”
Though Campbell’s work often happens behind the scenes, Cormier believes anyone who’s been to a UFC event knows who he is. When asked if Campbell is being groomed to take over Dana White’s position, Cormier’s response was clear: “Absolutely, that’s exactly what he feels like.”
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
