UFC CEO Dana White helped in the recent release of Ksenia Karelina from a Russian prison.
Dana White and the UFC enjoyed a new moving weekend in UFC Kansas City, with a goodweight headliner between Ian Machado Garry and Carlos Prates. In a back and forth fight, and despite a late Rally from Prates, Garry walked away with a unanimous decision to bounce back from his first career loss.
Months in 2025, and approaching what is a summer season littered with stars, White and the UFC have a lot of momentum. In an era in which the UFC is in desperate needs of new, new stars, the schedule delivers in a large way.
In addition to his UFC managements, White played a huge role in obtaining the release of a resident of Los Angeles from a Russian prison after more than a year behind bars.
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Dana White used old friendship with the American president to free Russian prisoner
The 33-year-old Ballerina Ksenia Karelina, a Russian American, served a 12-year-old maximum security sentence in Russia after donating $ 50 to a pro-Ukraine charity institution. She was arrested in February 2024 while traveling to Russia to visit her parents.
The white and US President Donald Trump have a long-term friendship, and the UFC headman used their relationship to guarantee the freedom of Karelina.
During the UFC Kansas City Post-Fight Press Conference, White explained his role in organizing Karelina's freedom and return to the United States.
“When we had the fight in Australia in Sydney, I received a phone call from a friend of mine who asked if he could pass my hotel room and talk to me,” said White. “He told me the story and then asked if I would go to the president, because I think they have been working at the old administration for a year, trying to get her free and couldn't get it.
“So they asked if I would talk to Trump and I said” of course. ” So I called [Trump] And he said, “Yes, show me what I can do.” And literally in three weeks he had her out … she facetimed me two days ago, what an incredible, sweet, positive person she is. President Trump and [Russian President Vladimir Putin]Give them both the honor to get her out. “
Karelina and her friend, boxer Chris van Heerden, shared a moving moment when she returned to the United States. You can view images of her return below.
Dana White Hints UFC 317 will be tilted by a huge title fight
White and the UFC are weeks away from their annual International Fight Week card in Las Vegas, and from this letter a main event for UFC 317 has to be announced. A collision of the middleweight title between Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev was originally the target for UFC 317, before the match was postponed due to an alleged du plessis injury.
Du Plessis later rejected rumors about an injury and hinted on an impending announcement of the fight. Chimaev is still the most likely opponent for his next title defense, after the undefeated star Robert Whittaker had ended in October.
In the meantime, White smiled during the press conference after the fight when he was asked for a potential Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria Headliner for UFC 317. Makhachev and his team have stripped of the granting of Topuria to give an immediate title shot after the former Vederweight Champion in weight.
Topuria recently announced that he started a training camp for his UFC decay, making the timing for a UFC 317 more likely. But from this letter nothing has been announced for the lightweight comeback from Topuria, despite a viral leak that points to a confrontation with Charles Oliveira.
The UFC has also announced UFC 318 with a BMF collision between Max Holloway and the subtracting Dustin Poirier in New Orleans in July.