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    Lex Fridman Podcast

    #421 – Dana White: UFC, Fighting, Khabib, Conor, Tyson, Ali, Rogan, Elon & Zuck

    Mon Mar 25 2024
    FightingUFCBoxingMuhammad AliJiu-JitsuNo-Gi Jiu-JitsuBusinessJoe RoganPromoting FightersGreatness in SportsPoliticsTech EntrepreneursGamblingTransformative MoviesHuman Nature

    Description

    This episode covers a wide range of topics related to fighting, including Dana White's passion for the sport, Muhammad Ali's impact, the evolution of boxing and martial arts, the transition to no-gi jiu-jitsu, the origins and challenges of UFC, building a strong team in business, the rise of UFC with Joe Rogan's support, promoting fighters and creating excitement, greatness in sports and facing tough opponents, the intersection of fighting and politics, tech entrepreneurs in the octagon, memorable fights and their impact on the sport, gambling experiences and transformative movies, embracing challenges and overcoming negativity, and the universal appeal of fighting as an inherent human nature.

    Insights

    Dana White endorses Element for electrolytes

    Dana White emphasizes the importance of electrolytes for fasting, low-carb diets, and long-distance cardio, endorsing Element as a delicious source.

    Notion is praised as a helpful note-taking tool

    Dana White praises Notion as a helpful note-taking and collaboration tool with AI features that aid in idea organization.

    AG1 is recommended for a refreshing taste

    Dana White shares his positive experience with AG1, highlighting its refreshing taste and suggesting trying it cold or warm for a slushy-like experience.

    Inside Tracker endorsed for tracking biological data

    Inside Tracker is endorsed by Dana White for tracking biological data to make lifestyle changes based on machine learning algorithms.

    Muhammad Ali's impact on boxing and courage

    Muhammad Ali is considered not only the greatest boxer of all time but also a remarkable human being for his impact and courage.

    The frustration of negative remarks after fights

    The host analyzes the impact of commentary on fighters who put in immense effort to compete, highlighting the frustration of listening to negative remarks after fights.

    Transition from gi to no-gi jiu-jitsu

    Transition from gi to no-gi jiu-jitsu has become popular, offering a more practical approach for MMA fighting.

    No-gi fighting is seen as more practical

    No-gi fighting is seen as more practical for MMA and street scenarios compared to gi fighting.

    The origins and challenges of UFC

    The origins of the UFC involved meeting John Lewis and discovering the positive stories behind fighters like Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes. The early days of building the UFC were challenging, with Dana White facing battles in a corrupt and dangerous environment within the fighting industry.

    Building a strong team and overcoming challenges in business

    Building a strong team and having a clear vision are crucial for success in business. Early days of the business involved dealing with shady individuals and challenging situations. Learning to be a leader and handle challenges was a gradual process as the team grew.

    Chapters

    1. Dana White's Passion for Fighting and Endorsements
    2. Muhammad Ali's Impact and Boxing Influences
    3. Interviews, Jiu-Jitsu, and Transition to No-Gi
    4. Origins of UFC and Challenges Faced by Dana White
    5. Building a Strong Team and Overcoming Challenges in Business
    6. Starting a Business, Passion, and the Sphere Event
    7. Joe Rogan, Dana White, and the Success of UFC
    8. Building Up Fighters and Legendary Moments in UFC
    9. Greatness in Sports, Facing Tough Opponents, and Conor McGregor
    10. Fighting, Politics, and Tech Entrepreneurs
    11. Tech Entrepreneurs in the Octagon and Impactful Fights
    12. Forrest Griffin, Gambling, and Transformative Movies
    13. Gambling, Embracing Challenges, and Overcoming Negativity
    14. Transformative Power of Movies and Universal Appeal of Fighting
    15. Fighting as an Inherent Human Nature
    Summary
    Transcript

    Dana White's Passion for Fighting and Endorsements

    00:00 - 07:16

    • Dana White, the president of UFC, discusses his passion for fighting and the impact of legends like Muhammad Ali on him.
    • White emphasizes the importance of electrolytes for fasting, low-carb diets, and long-distance cardio, endorsing Element as a delicious source.
    • He praises Notion as a helpful note-taking and collaboration tool with AI features that aid in idea organization.
    • White shares his positive experience with AG1, highlighting its refreshing taste and suggesting trying it cold or warm for a slushy-like experience.
    • Inside Tracker is endorsed by White for tracking biological data to make lifestyle changes based on machine learning algorithms.

    Muhammad Ali's Impact and Boxing Influences

    06:47 - 14:42

    • Muhammad Ali is considered not only the greatest boxer of all time but also a remarkable human being for his impact and courage.
    • The host fell in love with boxing after watching Hagler vs. Leonard fight in 1987 and was influenced by the production style of USA's Tuesday night fights.
    • The host incorporated aspects he loved about boxing into UFC while avoiding things he disliked, such as certain commentators like Larry Merchant.
    • Reflecting on past boxing commentary, the host criticizes HBO's production and recalls incidents like Larry Merchant arguing with Floyd Mayweather during an interview.
    • The host analyzes the impact of commentary on fighters who put in immense effort to compete, highlighting the frustration of listening to negative remarks after fights.

    Interviews, Jiu-Jitsu, and Transition to No-Gi

    14:15 - 21:07

    • Interviews with fighters during boxing matches can be frustrating due to lack of experience in the interviewers.
    • Experiences in boxing and martial arts have evolved significantly over the past few decades.
    • The introduction to jiu-jitsu can be a humbling and eye-opening experience, leading to addiction to the sport.
    • Training with high-level practitioners like Frank Shamrock can be extremely humbling and mind-blowing.
    • Transition from gi to no-gi jiu-jitsu has become popular, offering a more practical approach for MMA fighting.

    Origins of UFC and Challenges Faced by Dana White

    20:46 - 27:16

    • No-gi fighting is seen as more practical for MMA and street scenarios compared to gi fighting.
    • Jiu Jitsu is praised for its effectiveness regardless of size or strength, making it a good martial art choice for women and children.
    • The origins of the UFC involved meeting John Lewis and discovering the positive stories behind fighters like Chuck Liddell and Matt Hughes.
    • The early days of building the UFC were challenging, with Dana White facing battles in a corrupt and dangerous environment within the fighting industry.

    Building a Strong Team and Overcoming Challenges in Business

    26:54 - 33:13

    • Early days of the business involved dealing with shady individuals and challenging situations
    • Learning to be a leader and handle challenges was a gradual process as the team grew
    • Success in fighting promotions is attributed to passion, consistency, and hard work
    • Building a strong team and having a clear vision are crucial for success in business

    Starting a Business, Passion, and the Sphere Event

    32:47 - 39:46

    • In the early days of starting a business, one must pay attention to every detail and be fully committed without breaks or holidays.
    • The speaker emphasizes the importance of being passionate about what you do rather than focusing solely on money.
    • The upcoming event 'the sphere' poses various challenges in terms of production, programming, and historical significance.
    • Joe Rogan's passion for UFC and his willingness to provide commentary for free played a significant role in the rise of UFC.

    Joe Rogan, Dana White, and the Success of UFC

    39:20 - 47:16

    • Joe Rogan is highly passionate about fighting and has had a significant impact on the sport, being able to explain technical aspects to audiences effectively.
    • Dana White values loyalty and emphasizes that he stands by those who have been with him for years, like Joe Rogan.
    • Dana White and Lorenzo Fertita's successful partnership in the UFC is attributed to their complementary personalities and skills.
    • The UFC's success story involves strategic timing, financial investments, and its global impact on the sport of fighting.

    Building Up Fighters and Legendary Moments in UFC

    46:46 - 54:23

    • The speaker's role is to promote fighters and create excitement around their matches.
    • Being the underdog can lead to legendary moments and fights in the long term.
    • The UFC focuses on telling stories and building up fighters for great matchups.
    • Fighters notice a significant impact when they move from other organizations to the UFC.
    • John Jones is considered one of the greatest fighters of all time due to his dominance and unbeaten record.

    Greatness in Sports, Facing Tough Opponents, and Conor McGregor

    54:01 - 1:00:49

    • Losing can be a catalyst for greatness in sports.
    • Longevity and the ability to adapt are important factors in determining greatness in sports.
    • John Jones' dominance in MMA is highlighted, especially through his fights with Gustafson and DC.
    • Conor McGregor is praised for his willingness to take on challenges and his impact on the UFC's global reach.
    • The importance of facing tough opponents to solidify one's legacy as a fighter is emphasized.

    Fighting, Politics, and Tech Entrepreneurs

    1:00:25 - 1:07:39

    • The importance of who you fight in UFC is emphasized over having a perfect record.
    • Powerful figures like Trump, Putin, and Elon Musk are avid fans of fighting.
    • Dana White shares a close friendship with Donald Trump, who supported him throughout his career.
    • Trump's resilience and ability to handle public scrutiny are highlighted by Dana White.
    • Politics is described as dirtier than the fighting game, according to Dana White.
    • Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg considered facing off in a fight, showcasing their willingness to engage physically.

    Tech Entrepreneurs in the Octagon and Impactful Fights

    1:07:14 - 1:14:09

    • Two wealthy tech entrepreneurs were seriously considering fighting each other in the octagon, showing a unique crossover between business and physical combat.
    • Mike Tyson's willingness to fight Jake Paul raises questions about fighters' motivations, with some driven by money and fame while others strive for greatness.
    • The memorable fight between Forrest Griffin and Stefan Bonner on the Ultimate Fighter had a significant impact on the show's success, leading to both fighters receiving contracts despite challenges with the network.

    Forrest Griffin, Gambling, and Transformative Movies

    1:13:40 - 1:21:07

    • The fight between Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar in The Ultimate Fighter was intense and both fighters were determined to win
    • Forrest Griffin drove the Kia he won in the fight for over 200,000 miles, but missed out on a commercial opportunity with Kia
    • In deep rounds of fights, exhaustion sets in and fighters push through self-doubt to continue battling
    • Winning battles against oneself is a significant aspect of UFC fights, showcasing unique and special human beings involved in the sport
    • Dana White shares his experiences of winning big amounts while gambling but also recalls a night where he lost $3 million due to excessive drinking

    Gambling, Embracing Challenges, and Overcoming Negativity

    1:20:38 - 1:27:29

    • The speaker shares personal experiences of gambling in Vegas and learning from losses.
    • They emphasize the importance of managing gambling psychologically and not letting losses affect them deeply.
    • The speaker views life as a series of battles and embraces challenges, including in business and sports.
    • They express love for chaos, problem-solving, building brands, setting goals, and being a fan of live music and sports.
    • Despite facing challenges, the speaker expresses gratitude for their life in Las Vegas and enjoys problem-solving and overcoming negativity.

    Transformative Power of Movies and Universal Appeal of Fighting

    1:26:59 - 1:33:18

    • The speaker expresses pride and satisfaction in the success of a project they've been involved in for 13 months.
    • They discuss their affinity for negativity and how it fuels them.
    • The speaker shares their favorite movies that have impacted their life, including 'Forrest Gump' and 'Vision Quest'.
    • They elaborate on the profound messages and lessons they took from 'Vision Quest', emphasizing themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and human connection.
    • The conversation delves into the transformative power of movies like 'Vision Quest' in inspiring personal growth and pursuing greatness against all odds.

    Fighting as an Inherent Human Nature

    1:32:48 - 1:35:46

    • The speaker reflects on the value of time and living life to the fullest without fear of death.
    • Observations from watching fights reveal that fighting is inherent in human nature, transcending cultural differences.
    • The speaker emphasizes the universal appeal of fighting and shares an anecdote about a fight breaking out in Mexico.
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