UFC legend Chael Sonnen believes Dana White would be a disruptor in Washington DC if he decided to run for political office.
Chael Sonnen isn't buying what Dana White is selling regarding the UFC kingpin's recent comments about his interest in a future in American politics.
White hosted US President-elect Donald Trump at UFC 309 in New York City last Saturday. A ceremonial walkout for Trump and his Republican Party entourage received a thunderous ovation from fans at the event.
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Trump, an avid UFC fan, shared many moments with fighters competing at UFC 309. UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones used his post-fight celebration to nod to Trump at the cage.
White and Trump are old friends, stemming from Trump's early support for the UFC during the promotion's previous battle for relevance. Trump hosted several UFC events at his resorts after White stepped in and bought the promotion, including UFC 31 headlined by Randy Couture vs. Pedro Rizzo.
Despite being a centerpiece of Trump's campaign for the 2024 U.S. presidential election, White shut down the idea of a future political run during a podcast interview. But Sonnen believes conversations between the Republican Party and White are inevitable in an effort to change minds.
Chael Sonnen: Dana White would win the US presidential election if he ran for office
In a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Sonnen predicted that White will one day change his mind about a possible political career.
“Like [Donald Trump Jr.] doesn't want to run, someone in the party will talk to closed doors, I promise you, is Dana White,” Sonnen claimed. “And while Dana White might laugh at this… someone will talk to him, and it could be very interesting.
“I assure you if they did that now it would be completely off the table. However, Dana [White] said in 2016 that if Trump asked him to be his chief of staff, he would leave the UFC and become chief of staff,” Sonnen continued on White. “Dana has never said anything in the history of learning to speak, that's all against the UFC… 'If the President were to call on me, I would serve', and I'm just sharing with you that there will come a day when Dana changes her mind [on politics]and Dana White would win. He would win the presidency.”
Sonnen teased his political future as he plans to eventually run for governor in his home state of Oregon. He ran for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives in 2010 as a Republican. As of this writing, White has not yet responded to Sonnen's endorsement.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dana White is showing no signs of retiring from the UFC's top spot despite speculation
White introduced Donald Trump earlier this year at the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee. Earlier this month, Trump was elected the 47th US president-elect in a landslide victory over Democratic candidate Kamala Harris.
White, along with Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta, bought the UFC in 2001 for $2 million. According to BetMGM, the UFC's net worth is over $12 billion as of October 2024.
The UFC has become a global juggernaut under White's leadership. After largely rebuilding the UFC from the ground up in the early 2000s, the organization is the global leader in mixed martial arts competitions.
In recent years, some fans and pundits have speculated that White could potentially walk away from his position as UFC president in 2026 once his current deal expires. But White has called off his exit from the promotion soon and is also looking to dip his toes into the boxing world.
Sonnen believes White could emulate Trump's political fortitude if he decides to run for political office. Only time will tell if Sonnen's prediction will come to fruition as White continues to develop as the UFC's primary leader.
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