Dana White, the person, couldn’t disagree more with one of his UFC fighters ranting on a podcast about what a good guy Hitler was (fact check: Hitler was very bad).
Dana White, the fight promoter, seemed nearly giddy about it all. And make no mistake, White is first and foremost a promoter before he is a decent person.
It’s why he’s continued his relationship with Conor McGregor despite the Irishman’s notoriously long rap sheet, and why he rushed to sign Greg Hardy after the NFL told him to kick rocks after a horrific domestic assault case, and why Colby Covington has managed to stick around so long.
So when Bryce Mitchell started espousing pro-Hitler takes that White called the “dumbest and most ignorant [expletive]” he’s ever heard, no one should’ve expected the UFC boss to actually do anything about it. That has never been his way.
Nope. White is going to do what he’s always done. Hide behind a three-year-old’s understanding of free speech, book Mitchell a fight a soon as possible and watch the money roll in from people he can convince to watch a Nazi-lover get his head bashed in.
That is not hyperbole. It is precisely what happened.
Take a look at White’s comments and see for yourself. After a long prepared statement denouncing Hitler and the atrocities of World War II, the first thing White says it that it’ll be settled in the Octagon.
Warning: NSFW Language
Dana White on Bryce Mitchell's comments:
I've heard a lot of dumb, ignorant shit in my day, but this one's probably the worst. pic.twitter.com/WMfOfEjI5l
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) January 30, 2025
“I’ve heard a lot of dumb, ignorant [expletive] in my day, but this one’s probably the worst. When you talk about Hitler, who’s responsible for the death of 6 million Jews, and he tried to completely eliminate a race of people. World War II was the deadliest war in history: 15 million military deaths, 45 million civilians and 25 million soldiers were killed in World War II. Second of all, Hitler is one of the most disgusting and evil human beings to ever walk the face of the earth, and anyone who even tries to take an opposing position is a moron. That’s the problem with the internet and social media. You provide a platform for a lot of dumb, ignorant people.”
So, will Mitchell face any discipline?
“Well, that’s the beautiful thing about this business: For all of you that hate Bryce Mitchell, you get to hopefully see him get his ass whooped on global television. What do you want me to say about it? You know where I am with free speech.”
For the millionth or so time, that is not what free speech means. While White may be cozy with those who occupy the top levels of the U.S. government, his company can punish any employee for making disgusting comments without violating the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.
Let’s be very clear: White is willfully using this moment to line his pockets even more. He has clearly mastered the mental gymnastics required to do so. If you want to send him a real message about harboring Hitler fanboys in his company, don’t tune in to Mitchell’s next fight. No matter how bad you want to see a Nazi-lover get his face punched in — and, seriously, the pull is strong — stay away.
The only thing that happens if people watch Mitchell’s next fight is that he’s nearly guaranteed to get another real soon, win or lose.
UFC loves its villains, after all, even if Mitchell may now be a hero to a certain subset of despicable humans.
White is almost too transparent with this one. He’s going to use our rage to fuel his bank account. Don’t let him. Don’t acknowledge him. Don’t give him any semblance of a victory here. After all, nothing could insult White as much as bad TV ratings and an empty wallet.
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