At first glance, it seems almost absurd, Dana White and Meta? The UFC’s iron-fisted CEO getting involved with Silicon Valley tech giants? It’s the kind of matchup you would expect in a crossover video game, not real life. So, why would White suddenly find himself in the same circles as the masterminds behind AI and virtual reality? Could this be a strategic move, or is there more beneath the surface?

Veteran MMA analyst Luke Thomas doesn’t buy the official story. “I’m deeply skeptical of the idea that Dana White was brought into Meta because of his contribution to artificial intelligence,” he said on his channel. “This is about something else entirely.” Now, here’s what you are probably recalling. The rumors regarding Mark and UFC being in talks about bringing AI into UFC rankings. Could White’s potential involvement be a way to make that happen?

But wait, doesn’t this all feel a little vague? AI in rankings? Really? Is that enough to justify bringing someone like White into Meta’s fold? Think about it for a second, what if the real reason the UFC boss is even on Meta’s radar isn’t about the tech at all, but about protection?

The sports analyst suggested White’s appointment has more to do with shielding Meta than with innovation. “Follow the money,” he said. And when you look closely, you’ll see that Meta is in trouble and White might just be part of the strategy to help them get out of it. With a net worth of $500 million, the UFC head honcho could act as the perfect shield in a battle. But then again, does that sound like too much of a stretch?

For the unversed, Meta is staring down an antitrust trial in April 2025, one that could break up its monopoly. The accusations? Overpaying for social media giants Instagram and WhatsApp to dominate the social networking game. Could White’s role be a calculated move to protect Zuckerberg’s empire? Don’t you think monopolies, much like dictatorships, thrive on control? They stifle competition, set the rules, and make sure no one can challenge their authority.

When Meta bought Instagram and WhatsApp, it wasn’t just about growing, it was about crushing competition. Now, with the antitrust case looming, could Meta be fortifying its walls? And who better to help than someone like Dana White, a man who knows how to control a narrative and run a tight ship?

Is Dana White the glitzy pawn in a battle he didn’t spark?

Let’s not forget about the political angle. White and Donald Trump are no strangers to one another. They’ve campaigned together, appeared at Republican conventions, and turned UFC events into political spectacles. With Trump set to return to the White House, his influence over the antitrust trial could be huge. Zuckerberg himself has praised White, saying, “I’ve admired him as an entrepreneur and his ability to build such a beloved brand.”

But is this just flattery? Or is it part of a bigger plan? During Trump’s reelection campaign, Meta even donated a whopping $1 million to his inaugural fund, sending a clear signal that they wanted to stay on Trump’s good side. So, is White’s role just a PR move, or could it be something more?

The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Meta in 2020 during President Trump’s first administration, accusing the tech giant of maintaining an illegal monopoly over personal social networking through its acquisitions. With the antitrust trial scheduled this year once again as the Trump administration is back on, it’s clear that Meta is bringing out all the trump cards they have.

The outgoing FTC Chair Lina Khan didn’t hold back in her comments about the possibility of Meta trying to secure a “sweetheart deal” from the incoming administration. “Can they get some type of settlement that’s cheap, that settles for pennies on the dollar and lets them escape from a liability finding in court?” she said. Khan’s words raise an important question, will Meta get off lightly, or will they be held accountable for their dictating deeds?

Bringing White into the mix could indicate an attempt to learn from the best in matters of a similar nature. With the UFC putting an effective end to its antitrust battle with a $375 million settlement, we could be on the verge of watching history repeating itself. Antitrust laws or competition regulations, in totality, have always been a battle between big money and even bigger names. It’s a game where the outcomes can affect entire industries, and the ripple effects of those decisions flow through society.

But how does it all pan out for us, the consumers, the citizens? If Meta gets away with a sweetheart deal, will it result in a digital dictatorship? And if they’re forced to face the consequences, what will that mean for the future of tech innovation? So here’s the big question, what does this all mean for us, the consumers, the citizens?

Is Dana White’s rumored involvement with Meta a calculated move to protect Zuckerberg from the legal storm on the horizon? Or is this just a flashy PR tactic to distract from the real issue? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!