Years Before $4.2 Billion UFC Sale, Dana White Was Forced to Leave Boston by Crime Bosses Over a $2,500 Failure

Published 08/02/2022, 11:15 AM EDT

Dana White is a name that has played a major role in the establishment of the UFC as a global brand. Through sheer passion and hard work, White has created a livelihood for fighters and other people associated with MMA. While many people recognize the UFC President for his success, White has battled a lot of struggles to reach where he is.

White was a proud native of Boston. However, the UFC president had to flee Boston even before the UFC was created. Originally, White used to run a local boxing program in Boston. That is when White got into a tussle with James Bulger.

Article continues below this ad

Bulger was an Irish-American crime boss. In South Boston, Bulger ran the Winter Hill Gang. At the peak of his notorious activities, Bulger was the second most wanted man on the list of the FBI. It was clear Bulger wasn’t someone to be messed with. While White was running his boxing program, he got a visit from Kevin Weeks, who was a right-hand man of Bulger.

While nothing significant happened in that meeting, The UFC President later received a call asking him for money. Because of this, the UFC President had to flee Boston.

Dana White reveals why he had to flee Boston

White received a call that asked him to pay money. At that time, the UFC President did not have any money, but the gang was not willing to listen to White. Eventually, he had to flee Boston.

Speaking of the incident, White said, “I was sitting in my apartment and I got a phone call. They basically told me, ‘we want the money.’ I told them I didn’t have the money, it was $2,500.

Article continues below this ad

“That was like $25,000 to me in those days! They said, ‘get it from your girlfriend or get it from somebody.’ I had until tomorrow, which was a Sunday, I thought nothing good was going to happen! So literally, that day, I bought a plane ticket and came back to Vegas.”

Dana White Gives a Tour of His Ultra Luxurious Home on Fight Island

Even though White found himself in trouble, he rose above it all and focused on the sport of mixed martial arts. Through his purchase of the UFC, White created history and built one of the most successful brands globally. He, later on, sold the UFC for $4,2 billion but was reinstated as the president of the company.

Article continues below this ad

What do you think of this incident? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Watch This Story: UFC 277 Best: Moreno Equals Ronda Rousey Record, Julianna Pena Plastic Surgery, Joe Rogan Protest & More

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Varun Anand Bhat is an MMA writer at EssentiallySports. Not only does he train in MMA but he is also a certified judge, which gives him valuable insight while writing content. The fight between Conor Mcgregor & Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 was responsible for making him interested in the sport of MMA.

Edited by:

Paras Pande

Years Before $4.2 Billion UFC Sale, Dana White Was Forced to Leave Boston by Crime Bosses Over a $2,500 Failure

Dana White reveals why he had to flee Boston

Trending

Michael Chandler Handed Sad Update on Conor McGregor Fight at UFC 303 – “He’s Not Going to Get Pay-Per-View Points”

“A MF Grabs Me” – Shaquille O’Neal Almost Came to Blows With UFC Star During Camp in Hawaii, NBA Legend Reveals Untold Stor

Violently Threatening Conor McGregor Takes a Bad Turn for 50 Cent as UFC World Condemns Rapper After Beef Resurfaces

“Bubble Gut From High HGH Abuse” – Joe Rogan’s Dire Health Concern Flares Up as Fans Worry About UFC Commentator

Dana White’s Approval Backfires on Diego Lopes, Purse Withheld Along With Arman Tsarukyan at UFC 300