Birth and Early Life

Dana White was born on July 28, 1969, in Manchester, Connecticut, to Dana White Sr. and June White. Although his full name is Dana Frederick White Jr., he is commonly known as Dana White. He began boxing at age 17 and graduated from Hermon High School in Maine in 1987. White later relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he currently resides.

Early Career and Entry into MMA

In the early 1990s, after moving to Las Vegas, White worked as an aerobics instructor at various gyms. Though he was briefly a boxing manager, his biggest career breakthrough came in 2001, when he facilitated the purchase of UFC by casino executives Lorenzo and Frank Fertitta. White was appointed president shortly thereafter, launching a major transformation of the organization.

White also made appearances in popular media. Notably, he played a small role as “The Goon” on the 2013 episode of FX’s comedy series The League. He has been featured prominently in The Ultimate Fighter, a reality television show produced by UFC that has been credited with dramatically increasing the organization’s popularity.

Personal Life and Beliefs

Dana White married his high school sweetheart, Anne, in 1996. Together, they have three children. Known for valuing his privacy, White keeps his personal and family life relatively out of the spotlight. He identifies as an atheist and is described by those close to him as a family-oriented individual who believes in living life to its fullest.

Health Challenges

In May 2012, White publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with Ménière’s disease, a chronic disorder of the inner ear that causes vertigo and hearing issues. He has undergone ongoing treatment and reports that medication has helped reduce the severity of his symptoms.