Ever since Dana White took over the promotion at just 31 years old, alongside the Fertitta brothers, we’ve seen big things happen. Fast forward to July 28, and it’s a full-circle moment: the UFC president celebrates his 56th birthday. Time flies, right? Since White stepped into the role, the UFC hasn’t looked back. Like a jet tearing through the skies, the organization has developed into a billion-dollar MMA powerhouse.
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Across more than three decades, Dana White has earned titles like Winner, Boss, Visionary, and even Builder. Under his leadership, the UFC became a juggernaut, miles ahead of rival promotions. Even in the face of heavy criticism, White’s presence has continued to shine. As he marks another year, a hilarious throwback is making the rounds again, thanks to Joe Rogan. The moment dates back to last year on The Sage Steele Show, when former ESPN anchor Sage Steele accidentally confused White with Rogan, simply because they’re both bald.
In the unforgettable moment, Steele asked, “What’s Joe Rogan’s dream?”—leaving Dana White visibly shocked. Turning to the camera, he responded, “She just called me f—— Joe Rogan. You thought I was f—— Joe Rogan? I was bald before Joe was ever bald!” Explaining the incident, Steele had said, “Because they work together with UFC and because when the show began at the beginning, Dana came in drinking a drink and I said, ‘What is that?’ He’s like, ‘It’s Joe Rogan’s drink.’ Like, that happened an hour and 20 minutes into my podcast.”
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Though it was an honest mistake, fans—especially from earlier generations—have long joked about how similar the two look. White, always one to lean into the humor, reposted a birthday-themed social media post that featured his own picture but with the message: “HAPPY 56TH BIRTHDAY JOE ROGAN.”
He even tagged Joe Rogan in the post on his Instagram story. In yet another tribute, Dana White reshared a story from artist Kara K Fine, who posted a rare childhood photo of him—no more than 10 years old. The caption read: “A big Happy Dana White brings back Joe Rogan humiliation while posting a rare childhood picture on his 56th birthday.”
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November 1, 2019 – New York, New York, USA: DANA WHITE and BMF belt during UFC 244 Weigh-in. UFC 244: Weigh-in – ZUMAs277 20191101_sha_s277_524 Copyright: xJasonxSilvax
But Dana White’s influence now stretches far beyond just UFC promotion. He’s been thriving in other major ventures too. Take Power Slap, for instance—a brand reportedly valued at over $500 million. And with the launch of TKO’s boxing promotion expected next year, White’s empire only continues to expand.
Naturally, these growing responsibilities have impacted his regular presence at UFC events. In recent times, figures like Hunter Campbell or David Shaw have frequently stepped in to represent the company at high-profile shows, taking the spotlight whenever Dana White isn’t in attendance.
Joe Rogan links his UFC retirement plans to Dana White’s future exit
Long before Dana White took over the UFC, Joe Rogan had already contributed to its early days as a backstage interviewer. After a short run, Rogan left the promotion to chase other opportunities, including hosting Fear Factor. Around the same time, the Fertitta brothers bought the UFC, and White stepped in to lead the company’s revival. During the transition from New York to Las Vegas, White was sorting through old VCR tapes when he came across one that caught his attention.
On it, Joe Rogan was passionately defending the UFC during a talk show appearance, at a time when critics widely dismissed the sport as “human cockfighting.” The moment stuck with White. Moved by Rogan’s insight and genuine love for MMA, Dana White reached out to bring him back into the fold. The podcaster agreed. In fact, during those early years, he worked 12–13 UFC events entirely for free, just to sit cage-side and enjoy the action. That gesture laid the foundation for a deep, lasting friendship between the two.
The 2021 controversy truly tested their bond. As backlash mounted over Joe Rogan’s past use of the “N-word,” the TKO board reportedly pushed to fire him. But Dana White didn’t hesitate—he backed Rogan without question and even threatened to resign if the board went through with removing him. These days, both men are engaged in their own ventures, but their loyalty remains intact.
In fact, when the topic of retirement came up, Joe Rogan didn’t mince words. While speaking with Ilia Topuria, Rogan said: “I don’t think about retiring,” Rogan claimed. “If Dana White quits I might quit. . . . It’s actually in my contract, if he leaves I leave. So, in my contract, if he leaves I don’t have to stay. I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t for him! He’s my friend.”
At this point, their bond feels less like a working relationship and more like a brotherhood. Be honest—have you ever found yourself completely mixing up Joe Rogan and Dana White? Share your memories below.
Written by
Edited by
Siddharth Shirwadkar