In a case that highlights how perspectives can evolve over time, UFC President Dana White has transformed from one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s most vocal critics to a BJJ promoter.
“Jiu-Jitsu’s pretty darn boring too. It’s not like you’re sitting at a jiu-jitsu match going ‘Yeah! This is the greatest time ever!’ High-fiving each other and stuff.”
The UFC boss didn’t stop there, comparing BJJ unfavorably to wrestling:
“I’d go to some of these jiu-jitsu matches, and you sit there like this, you know? Maybe it’s a little more exciting at this one. I don’t know. Let me look at the one over there. I don’t know if that one ain’t any better. That one sucks, too. You know what I mean? It’s the same. That’s the way wrestling is, too. You know, but some people love it.”
Fast forward to 2024, and White’s stance has undergone a complete reversal. The 55-year-old now enthusiastically recommends BJJ, particularly for children.
“Put your kids into jiu-jitsu. Jiu-jitsu will change your kids’ lives and give them a level of confidence.”
White recently stated on a podcast. He now believes that while traditional sports like soccer and basketball are beneficial, BJJ provides unique skills that last a lifetime.
“They’ll have that jiu-jitsu in their back pocket till the day they die.”
White has become particularly vocal about BJJ’s benefits for young girls, emphasizing how the art empowers smaller individuals against larger opponents.
“A little girl, I could bring in a 16-year-old girl, that’ll wrap you up into pretzels.”
he said, highlighting how BJJ’s technique-based approach neutralizes size advantages.
What makes this evolution even more interesting is that White himself didn’t discover BJJ until age 28, describing the experience as life-changing and comparing it to taking the “red pill” in The Matrix.
“It’s like you wanna take the red pill and find out what life is really all about.”
he said of his first BJJ class.
White’s change of heart isn’t just talk—it’s been backed by action. The UFC has launched UFC BJJ, a new submission grappling promotion. This venture hasn’t been without controversy, with many in the grappling community noting similarities between UFC BJJ’s format and Craig Jones’ invitational events, including potential patent issues regarding the arena design.
Critics have pointed out the irony in White’s newfound appreciation for a sport he once dismissed as unwatchable. Some have even compared this reversal to other infamous contradictions in UFC history. Notably White once refered to Cris Cyborg as Wanderlei Silva in a dress – he would later go on to sign her.
Regardless of the controversy, White’s journey from BJJ critic to champion demonstrates how dramatically opinions can change with exposure to CJI and experience. The man who once couldn’t imagine anyone high-fiving at a jiu-jitsu match now believes everyone should experience the “mind-blowing” nature of the gentle art.
“At least go in and take a class and just check it out and feel it. It’ll blow your mind.”
White now advises adults who haven’t tried BJJ. It seems the UFC President has gone from yawning at jiu-jitsu to being one of its most influential ambassadors—a transformation few could have predicted back in 2011.
