The Shocking Truth Behind Dana White’s $3 Million Gambling Loss

In a shocking revelation, UFC President Dana White has shared the astonishing story behind his $3 million gambling loss. In an exclusive interview with MMA Fighting, White recounted the events that led to this staggering sum being lost, a tale that serves as a stark reminder of how fast the losses can rack up.

White’s journey into the world of high-stakes gambling began several years ago when he started frequenting Las Vegas casinos during business trips. At first, it was just a way to unwind and relax after long days of negotiations and deal-making. However, over time, his visits became more frequent, and the stakes grew higher.

Dana White Gambling History

The UFC president Dana White is a legendary gambler who’s made headlines many times throughout the years because of his gambling. One of these headlines in 2022 was about how he made $7m in only one night. That is ultimately what led to the UFC president getting banned from playing in some Las Vegas casinos. 

Dana White has also been lucky in his business endeavours. Back in 2016, White, along with a few business partners sold a MMA promotion to WME for $4 Billion American dollars – of which Dana White claimed 9% of. Yet, the $3m loss has been a tough pill to swallow. 

A Rollercoaster Ride of Emotions

”I’d go in there thinking I’m going to win big, and next thing you know, you’re down a couple thousand dollars.” White recalled. ”And then I’d think, Well, I’ll just play it smart this time. And then I’d lose another thousand. And before you know it, you’re up to $10,000, $20,000… It was like a rollercoaster ride of emotions.”

”It was like I had two personalities,” White said. ”When I was winning, I was invincible. I’d be walking on air, thinking I’m the smartest guy in the room. And when I was losing, I was a mess. I’d be irritable, anxious… It was like I had this split personality.”

The Turning Point

The turning point came when White’s losses reached an unprecedented $3 million. At that point, he realized that his gambling had spiraled out of control.

”It was like hitting rock bottom,” White reflected. ”I looked around at my life, and I thought, ’What am I doing? Is this really what I want?’ The answer was no.”