At Least UFC’s Boss Finds It Funny…
You got the sh*t handed to you; you got Dana White privilege…
A term coined by UFC legend Tony Fergurson during a pre-fight press conference in 2021 remains prevalent amongst UFC rumors today.
Have you ever heard of “Dana White Privilege?”
Tony Ferguson to Michael Chandler: “You got Dana White privilege.” What a line. #UFC262pic.twitter.com/HRpwDo1J9C
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) May 13, 2021
“Dana White Privilege” Meaning
Describes fighters who receive significant opportunities from the organization when there is a perception that they don’t deserve it.
Example: “You got the sh*t handed to you; you got Dana White privilege.”
White ecstatically laughed when the term was birthed, but it’s stuck with media members and fighters ever since, including the current welterweight king, Leon Edwards.
Leon Edwards feels Colby Covington being awarded a title shot would be a product of “Dana White privilege” 😬 #TheMMAHour
“I definitely have a say and he ain’t getting the title shot next fight.”
▶️ https://t.co/JcrgzatfWO pic.twitter.com/YUd1MGEceP
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) March 20, 2023
The real question is, how real is “Dana White privilege,” and is it even a thing?
Dissecting “Dana White Privilege”
I personally struggle to handle the arguments between my sons about who’s riding shotgun in the car, so I can’t imagine how challenging it is to operate the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion.
We must consider the multiple factors that go into making huge fights, and the sport of boxing is a great example, as we rarely get to witness the top-ranked combatants go head-to-head without a plethora of questionable title defenses beforehand. If anything, the UFC’s mainstream success was built on the opposite of “Dana White privilege” because the fighter rankings have legitimized up-and-coming talent and gifted championship opportunities to those who’ve been deserving.
Could it be argued that Dana has neglected recent results and fighter trajectory on certain occasions? Sure! But overall, fighters that earn the company’s respect are rewarded, whether inside or outside of the cage, much like any thriving industry that manages hundreds of employees.
Dana White upset with Dana White privilege article.#UFC274 pic.twitter.com/kblyXl9Jki
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 8, 2022
Analogy time. If Brenda flips 100 average-tasting burgers per shift at Mcdonald’s for five years, she could potentially receive one star on her name badge. Kevin has flipped 50 great-tasting burgers per shift at McDonald’s for ten years, but the customers love his social skills, and he consistently respects and appreciates the company he works for and is now the prime candidate to become a kitchen manager. Do you see where I’m going with this? The story isn’t always as black and white as the numbers portray, which is why I struggle to use the label “Dana White privilege.”
Furthermore, attempt to find another business on the planet where you can sh*t talk the boss without losing your job – I’ll wait. We’ll revert back to Ferguson for this, as he’s received a UFC 279 main event and UFC 291 main card slot since labeling Michael Chandler with “Dana White privilege,” and he’s riding a 6-fight losing streak.
So, should Ferguson look in the mirror if “Dana White privilege” is a thing? No, I think it’s called respect and paying your dues. Dana continues to put Ferguson in high-profile matches because of what he’s achieved as a mixed martial artist and what he’s done for the company.
Dana White will always receive hate and backlash in UFC news, but will those same reporters be tuning into his events? You damn skippy, they will. Why? Because he’s undoubtedly…
unequivocally… the best fight promoter of this, the last, and generations to come.
You don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone, and trust me when Dana sails off into the sunset, the critics will have a lot more to complain about.
Dana White Privilege pic.twitter.com/cLPuDH5DEd
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 16, 2021
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