While making an appearance on retired NFL player Shannon Sharpe's podcast "Club Shay Shay," UFC mogul Dana White gave a piece of his mind on society's lack of free speech leading to people losing their individuality.
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UFC CEO Dana White gives his take on cancel culture via @ClubShayShay 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/EjR3nESbX6
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) June 20, 2024
"Do you ever worry about being canceled, Dana?" Sharpe asked.
"What does that mean, actually? Canceled? Canceled by who?" White candidly replied.
The influential MMA sports figure cited that besides his true fanbase and those who are in his inner circle, he really doesn't care what people think about him.
Then White took a turn in the conversation when he compared cancel culture to being gay in the 1980's.
"Back in the 80s, if you came out and said you were gay, it could destroy your career," White stated. "Imagine living a life where you can't be who you really are, it's gotta be a horrible thing, right? F*** that! I am who I am, if you like or you don't like, I don't give a f***. That's your problem, not mine."
White claims that he applies the principle of freedom in the workplace, as he is known to let his fighters get away with saying an array of controversial things.
"I don't f***ing tell any other human being what to say, what to think," the UFC CEO/President stated in a press conference. "And there's no leashes on any of them... Free speech brother."
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"If you get your feelings hurt that bad you probably shouldn't ask the type of questions when you know the answer you're going to get from Strickland. Let's start there...A leash?...I… pic.twitter.com/02bsuDL3QF
— Chief Nerd (@TheChiefNerd) January 21, 2024
With that being said, White hasn't been pro-free speech when it comes to religion, as he received backlash in the past when criticizing fighters for professing their faith after fights. It is well known that many of the athletes in the UFC are Christian or Muslim, but White made the following statement on recommending they "leave that at home."
UFC Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones is one of many in the sport that had been criticized by the CEO for "thanking God" following a victory.
UFC OWNER, @danawhite thinks you should HIDE and TUCK AWAY your faith in God in your life. Dana,foolish for you to think that you can keep God/Jesus Christ trapped behind 4 walls. Don't hate on fighters who are smart & manly enough to acknowledge Gods influence in their lives. pic.twitter.com/ODHcca5agx
— XRPJello4Me (@EndGameOnTrack) December 11, 2022
"You just won the biggest fight of your career," UFC owner White stated in an interview. "America doesn't want to hear your thoughts on Jesus. Keep that stuff at home. Religion, politics, all that stuff, when you are out there fighting, and you are being interviewed, they want to hear about the fight. It's awesome that you love Jesus. Love Jesus all you want, you just don't have to do it publicly."
