Remember when Francis Ngannou made his PFL debut last year after leaving the UFC, owing to pay-related issues with Dana White? Well, that was the perfect opportunity for Ben Askren to pick a bone with the UFC CEO as well. ‘Funky’ empathized with ‘The Predator’ because he related to Ngannou getting slandered by White and pushing the narrative that he wanted to duck Jon Jones. Something similar had taken place with Askren.

“Dana spent years lying, saying I didn’t want to fight the best, I didn’t want challenges, I was running away, and that couldn’t have been further from the truth,” Askren told Daniel Cormier last year. However, the former Olympian kept up his good work, dominated Bellator and ONE before eventually landing a contract with the UFC in 2019 and that’s when White shifted the narrative. Suddenly, the UFC boss started lauding Askren’s willingness to fight the best. However, the veteran’s stint with the promotion was short, as after three fights, he chose to retire but even retirement has not been kind to the man.

Earlier this month, the combat community got to know that Askren was fighting a staph infection that spiraled into severe pneumonia and, eventually, lung failure. People came together to pray for him; From Dillon Danis to Chael Sonnen, fighters and fans flooded social media with prayers and messages of support. Ben Askren’s family later launched a fundraiser to help cover the costs of a lung transplant and other medical expenses, a link Dana White shared on his Instagram story.

However, White’s action of sharing the link and asking people to donate for Askren’s treatment didn’t sit well with fans. And it had nothing to do with the UFC boss and the former fighter’s strained relationship. No.

It had more to do with fighter pay and the long-standing criticism White has endured about not taking care of his athletes. In fact, in 2022, Jake Paul called him, “The most selfish, capitalistic motherf–kers that I’ve ever seen.” While White ignored the backlash then, choosing to focus on expanding the UFC’s global footprint and valuation, it seems the issue was revived after he asked fight fans to help Askren.

Many fans on Reddit pointed to Dana White’s reported $500 million net worth, blasting him for asking the public to chip in despite heading a multibillion-dollar organization. From lavish yacht parties to luxury getaways, fans didn’t hold back, calling it tone-deaf and insensitive that he wasn’t footing the bill himself.

Dana White grilled for seeking donations for ‘seriously ill’ Ben Askren

Earlier this year, a significant and somewhat somber moment arrived for Dana White & Co. when a federal judge in Las Vegas officially approved a long-standing class-action lawsuit. The case involved fighters who competed in the UFC between 2010 and 2017, led by Cung Le, Nate Quarry, and several others, and accused the promotion of sabotaging their careers with restrictive contracts while also blocking the growth of rival organizations.

But the fans weren’t forgiving then, and they aren’t forgiving now. After the CEO shared a fundraiser for Ben Askren, who is in critical condition and needs a lung transplant, the backlash was immediate. One user commented, “Damn. Man uses his own personal social media platform with over 10 million followers to help promote a fundraiser for a seriously ill dude.” Another added, “Ben Askren needs a lung, not a payday.”

Meanwhile, Dana White continues to enjoy his luxurious lifestyle—something fans have been quick to call out. One sarcastic fan wrote, “You expect Dana to spend 10% of what he spends a night in Vegas on Ben?” Another called White’s actions “disgusting,” writing, “Asking people who struggle day to day to give their money when you have so much you couldn’t spend it in a hundred lifetimes is disgusting.”

The criticism extended beyond the UFC. Many fans turned their attention to the American healthcare system itself, with one blunt comment reading: “Good old American healthcare system.” Adding even more pressure, last month, ex-UFC fighter Phil Davis filed another lawsuit against Dana White & Co. in the Nevada District Court.

Davis accused the UFC of continuing to engage in unfair market practices that limit fighters’ opportunities and suppress competition. In light of all this, fans are calling for meaningful change. One wrote, “The UFC doesn’t care about their fighters. Chuck Liddell was a company man and look at him now,” and urged the formation of a fighters’ union to combat future injustices. So what’s your take on Dana White’s actions? Drop your thoughts below.