UFC CEO Dana White reiterated his long-standing criticism of soccer, once again reaffirming that he is not a fan. White questioned the sport’s difficulty, scoring, and overall entertainment value.
The UFC CEO made it clear that he does not foresee himself ever becoming a fan.
White’s criticism dates back a decade, when he spoke critically about the sport while during a media scrum. His comments recently resurfaced, which sparked debate among fans. Many notable players have attended UFC events in the past, including Sergio Ramos, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Soccer has gained plenty of attention in the United States due to the growing popularity of Major League Soccer following Lionel Messi‘s arrival. The U.S., along with Canada and Mexico, will also host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Dana White Says He Is Not a Soccer Fan
Even though the United States is hosting the FIFA World Cup, it’s safe to say Dana White won’t be watching.
During an appearance on Big Boy TV, White addressed whether he still dislikes soccer. The UFC CEO said that he has strong relationships with some of the players who have attended his events. However, his stance has not changed, and soccer remains a sport in which he has no interest.
“[Soccer] is the least talented sport. I can’t remember how it started or how we got talking about it but I said, ‘There’s a reason three-year-olds play it. When the next is the size of that wall, okay, and the score is 1-1,’ White said. “Listen, I love [Cristiano] Ronaldo. I have a great relationship with him, I love him. No disrespect to any of the guys, but you know, I’m just not a soccer fan.”
In contrast, White praised hockey as a sport with a much higher level of difficulty. The UFC CEO admitted that while he is not a big hockey fan, he respects the sport more than soccer.
“I’m not a big hockey fan. These dudes skate 100 miles an hour on ice, bent over with a crooked stick,” White said. “The goal is as big as the guy standing in front of it and anybody can [expletive] murder you at any time.”
White’s Previous Comments Went Viral
White’s previous comments have gone viral since reemerging on social media.
At the time, the UFC CEO was speaking with reporters and shared his disdain for soccer. He questioned the talent level of players, citing low-scoring games despite the size of the nets.
Even though every country has its own unique soccer identity, fanfare, and culture, White said his opinion would remain the same.
“Run around and kick a ball. Yeah, [Michael] Landsberg said, ‘You wouldn’t say that if you were in Brazil,’ I said, ‘Dude, I say this in every country,” White said. “When you’re playing a game where the net is this big, right? And the score is 3-1. Are you [expletive] me right now? Do you know how untalented you have to be to score three points when the net is this big?”
White ended by saying that hockey is a sport where a 3-1 final score makes sense.
UFC CEO Dana White Reaffirms His Stance on Soccer