Dana White’s thrilling recollection of his bull riding adventure has captivated the MMA community, bringing to light a lesser-known chapter from the UFC president’s life. In 2015, White decided to test his mettle in a way completely foreign to the octagon – by mounting a professional bucking bull.
“It’s one of the dumbest things I’ve ever done,” White candidly admitted while describing the harrowing experience. The preparation alone proved challenging, as he explained the process of getting strapped onto the powerful animal. What surprised White most was how the bull would slam riders’ legs against the metal bars of the enclosure before the gate even opened.
White noted a key difference between his experience and professional bull riding events: “I noticed at the PBR, they’re all padded. All the bars are padded for that reason. When we did it, the bars weren’t padded.” This observation highlighted the additional danger he faced during his amateur attempt.
The UFC boss emphasized that the sport demands respect, recounting how he witnessed another participant getting knocked unconscious just trying to mount a bull. “Forget riding the bull, just getting on the bull inside that enclosure” presented significant danger, according to White.
The story has prompted mixed reactions from fans. Some find humor in White’s adventurous spirit, while others question whether his diverse interests—from UFC management to poker tournaments to bull riding—indicate he might be spreading himself too thin in the combat sports world.
Critics suggest that perhaps it’s time for White to pass the torch to someone like Hunter Campbell and focus on his other ventures. Meanwhile, loyal supporters maintain the UFC wouldn’t be the same without White’s leadership and personality at the helm.
Some fans have even jokingly compared bull riding to White’s other business venture, Power Slap, debating which qualifies as “the dumbest thing” he’s done professionally. Regardless of opinion, White’s bull riding tale reveals the adrenaline-seeking personality that has helped propel UFC to unprecedented heights under his guidance.
As one observer noted, the story perfectly encapsulates White’s distinctive brand: an unfiltered risk-taker who approaches life with the same f—-ng intensity he brings to the fight business.
