FULLSEND Podcast | Dana White | Podcast Summary | The Pod Slice


This is the artificial intelligence voice of Kyle Forgeard narrating this pod slice summary of the FULLSEND Podcast.

The section began with hosts Kyle and Steve discussing their experiences with the Prize Pick app, where users bet on individual sports players’ performance rather than teams. When the conversation shifted to the hosts catching up, there was a humorous exchange about their communication habits, where Steve admitted he only checks up on Kyle if he sees him get into trouble online.

The narrative developed as they reflected on their recent trip to New York for a UFC event. Kyle reminisced about meeting President Trump and Tucker Carlson, and took some light-hearted jabs at Steve for bringing a date, OT Megan, implying possible romantic involvement, which Steve denied.

The hosts welcomed UFC president Dana White into the conversation, commenting on his unusual friendship with Steve, which involved motivating Steve to lose weight by offering money for each weight goal hit. This led to an in-depth discussion about weight loss, discipline, motivation, and mental fortitude.

Dana also shared his recent experience with an 86-hour water fast under the guidance of a Boston-based doctor. Reportedly, this kind of fasting helps the body shed bad cells and regenerate new ones, potentially decreasing risks of diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Dana expressed that beyond the physical benefits, the fast also was a test of will and a unique experience for him. In conclusion, many of the UFC staff is trying this method of fasting and Dana intends to continue doing it twice a year.

As the conversation moved forward, Dana shed light on his weight maintenance after his 86-hour water fast, mentioning that he managed to keep his weight at 192 pounds. Heillustrated the impact of his diet by narrating an incident in New York when he indulged in some pasta, resulting in a return of his snoring issue for the night, a symptom he had previously resolved.

The focus of the conversation then shifted towards Dana’s transformative health journey. Steve and Kyle commended Dana’s perseverance in building a healthier lifestyle, noting that he is a role model for their audience demographic who aspire to be healthy and fit. The hosts highlighted how Dana’s newfound energy and improved productivity not only benefit him personally but also inspire their business ventures.

Dana discussed his dedication to maintaining his new lifestyle, revealing that he has a cold plunge in his New York hotel room and convinces hotels he frequents to install them. He confessed that he’s constantly being approached by others who are inspired by him or looking to connect with his doctor, Gary Brea. He reflected on his previous health issues, sharing that he used to keep these issues to himself.

The conversation then turned to Dana’s frank views regarding vaccines and mask-wearing in light of the ongoing pandemic. Dana gave his insights into the motivations behind celebrities endorsing vaccines, sharing that he personally wouldn’t endorse something he didn’t believe in, regardless of the financial incentive.

Dana then discussed his experience of walking out at a UFC event with President Trump, Kid Rock, and Tucker Carlson. He described the electric atmosphere at the Madison Square Garden event, attributing the energy to the UFC’s enthusiastic fanbase.

The conversation later shifted to Dana’s business affiliations. He explained his alignment with Bud Light, stating that he only does deals with brands he resonates with and specified that his alignment is stronger with Anheuser-Busch than any other beer company. Dana highlighted Anheuser-Busch’s American employment, their financial support to U.S. farmers, and their employment of veterans, emphasizing how his ethos aligns with these practices. Dana recommended Bud light as a quality product, inviting the hosts to join him on an upcoming tour at Anheuser-Busch. When asked how he navigates the transition of a sponsorship deal, Dana disclosed the negotiation process, explaining that they are upfront and respectful in their communication with their existing sponsors before shifting alliances.

In this episode, Kyle Forgeard delves deeper into Dana White’s behind-the-scenes process of organizing UFC events and managing sponsor relationships and participant requests. Dana explained how securing the first beer sponsor for UFC, Mickey’s Big Mouth, was a significant milestone and later, securing Budweiser was even a bigger achievement.

Dana gives us a glimpse into the intricate process of coordinating seating arrangements for prestigious UFC events. For instance, when Kyle decided to attend an event last minute, a few guests had to be moved to accommodate him—a testament to Dana’s personal involvement in ensuring all-important persons are well taken care of during the events.

The talk then shifted to celebrities frequently attending UFC fights. Dana confessed to being surprised about developing a friendship with Jared Leto. Notwithstanding his fame, Jared is a meticulous observer of UFC events and interacts regularly with Dana.

Dana addressed questions related to influencers and celebrities becoming part of the UFC. He strongly emphasized that UFC only features those who prove their mettle as fighters, and Openness to entertain non-fighter personalities doesn’t have a space in his organisation.

The subject of Dylan Danis, the MMA fighter, entering UFC was entertained. Dana expressed his concern about the repercussions that often seem to follow Dylan and resisted the idea.

The hosts then brought up prime pay-per-view cards and the claimed success of these events. Dana expressed skepticism about the claimed viewership numbers considering the financial implications. He clearly stated his unwillingness to believe these inflated figures without proper proof.

Toward the end, Dana was quite unsparing in his criticism of subpar boxing shows headlined by influencers or celebrities. He described the production quality and the fights themselves as substandard while dismissing lofty claims about their success. Dana strongly believes that true success in combat sports comes from showcasing real talent and not just star power.

As their conversation continues, Dana shares his thoughts on the influence of social media on consumer behavior and the somewhat negative impact it’s having on the sport of boxing. Social media celebrities, without any significant boxing skills, are gaining attention, overshadowing talented fighters within the boxing world. While these influencers generate considerable interest, Dana feels it’s temporary and not beneficial for the sport in the long run.

When asked if there could ever be another Connor Floyd type fight in UFC’s history, Dana doesn’t rule out the possibility, articulating that great matches often materialize unexpectedly. He recounts how the rise of exciting performers like Hamza Chimaev brings an element of surprise and enjoyment to the world of UFC.

Turning the conversation about future tournaments, Dana expresses his enthusiasm about returning to Toronto, a city he holds much affection for due to the energetic audience and the memorable fights that took place there.

Then, the dialogue shifts to the topic of sports betting. Despite sharing an anecdote of winning a million dollars in one hand at a blackjack game, Dana advises against sports betting, attributing his stance to a series of bad experiences. He finds the unpredictability and stress of sports betting not worth the potential gains, even though he acknowledges the thrill certain audacious bets can bring.

Towards the end of their discussion, Dana emphasizes his love for his hometown, Las Vegas, and his excitement about future events there, including the hosting of the Super Bowl. To him, the city and its glitzy, high-energy ambiance are a perfect match for his personality and resolve to create engaging events.

Dana’s excitement for Las Vegas hosting the Super Bowl is palpable, and he predicts it to be the biggest weekend Las Vegas has ever seen. While being a sport lover, Dana reveals he didn’t follow the NFL closely this year, yet still harbors affection for Raiders’ Max Crosby, lauding his dynamic talent, mindset, and captivating personality.

The conversation then switches gears to focus on the future construction in Las Vegas – The Sphere, which Dana admits to being extraordinarily thrilled about. The prospect of transforming it into the greatest live sporting event venue seems like both a challenge and a passion project for him.

The podcast hosts probe Dana about his famous declaration concerning the younger generation, leading to a detailed dissection of his viewpoint. He criticizes the younger generation’s lack of respect for important institutions such as the police, the military, and the country at large. Dana fervently argues for the recognition of American identity above all else and emphasizes the urgency to safeguard the country’s freedom.

The discussion then diverts to a critique of political situations, specifically highlighting mishaps in California’s governance and how it has led to an exodus of residents moving to states like Florida, Texas, or Nevada. Dana praises Florida Governor Dan Santis’s effective leadership through the pandemic, attributing Florida’s recent surge of influx to him.

The hosts delve into a surprise revelation about Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg’s potential showdown in the octagon. Although the idea didn’t materialize, Dana confirmed the negotiations were “very real,” with numerous discussions occurring between the parties. Despite the fight’s dissolution, this peek into these high-profile tech moguls’ interest in UFC creates a fascinating talking point.

In this continuation, the hosts shed light on the equally convoluted but intriguing personalities of Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg – two tech giants known for their unique propensities and quirks. In Dana’s view, these eccentricities imbue them with an enticing aura that engaged him during the negotiations for an octagon showdown that never saw fruition.

In this vein, the podcast navigates towards UFC and prospective super fights, revealing that while fan-favorite Conor McGregor is always a significant player, he is not in the cards for the super fight they are currently discussing. However, the hosts and Dana do affirm that McGregor’s return to the ring next year is a certainty.

The conversation then diverts to analyzing notable fighters like Chandler, Jones and Islam, touching upon their strategies, fight records and general personas. Dana commends Chandler’s formidable history, highlighting his past exciting fights in Bellator and describing him as a “cool” and “nice” guy. Given the idle stances of some fighters, Dana discusses how they seem ready to wait for the right time and the right fight.

As the podcast progresses, it delves into Dana’s work-life balance, revealing how beyond managing UFC, he is also running show productions like ‘Ridiculousness’ on MTV and ‘Nitro Circus’. Despite the enormous workload, he insists that he is a “sick” guy who is always ready to take up more projects.

The following segments unravel a curious tale about ‘Men’, an entertaining but self-sabotaging personality who despite achieving success manages to alienate himself and ruin relationships, much to Dana’s bafflement. Despite all the chaos, Dana extends his fascination and interest in the individual, leading to a deeper discussion on mental health and personal issues.

Towards the end, Dana’s interest in the world of social media and influencers is broached and the hosts bring up the trend of in-real-life streaming and how creators like Steve utilise it to bring fascinating content to their audience. This results in a recollection of their perilous but exciting adventure in Brazil’s favellas, rounding off the conversation on a high note.

Following the complex discussions, the conversation takes an unexpected turn, leading to amusing conversations about personalities like ‘Men 2.0’. The hosts humorously compare Men’s inability to manage anxiety with Dana’s relentless schedule and travel, creating a stark contrast between the two. They dive deep into Dana’s exploits in Abu Dhabi, describing it as one of the greatest and safest places on earth, a must-visit for everyone.

Swinging back to content generation and adaptation in digital-age, they discuss the evolution of new content preferences among the audience. They use the instance of Aiden Ross and the popular trend of live streaming, where creators like Aiden engage with live audiences interactively. Dana labels him ‘fascinating’, praising his fearlessness when it comes to taking risks – a trait that Dana himself was recently psychoanalyzed to possess.

Dana’s experiences with Aiden Ross, particularly their gambling escapades, are highlighted, echoing Dana’s observations about Aiden’s fearlessness with risk. They praise Aiden’s audacity for playing high stakes at such a young age, contributing to his appeal.

The conversation wraps up with Dana extending his open invitation to the hosts for any future requirements, endearingly referring to himself as ‘Uncle Nek’. An enticing proposal of $155,000 captures everyone’s attention before they steer the conversation towards a possible meet-up at Red Rock later that night.

The hosts take a moment to thank their audience and give a shout-out to establishments that support their brand ‘Happy Dad.’ They emphasize on the continued availability of ‘Happy Dad’ in multiple venues and encourage businesses to tag their brand on Instagram for shout outs in future episodes of the FULLSEND podcast. While there’s no indication of the next episode’s content, it alludes to more engaging conversations on the horizon for their loyal listeners.