The wooing at UFC press conferences is getting worse and it’s Dana White’s fault.

Note that he complains about the declining quality of journalism, but never when that poor quality of journalism means “journalists”, i.e. members of the media doing PR for the UFC, granting him attention and praise.

These people were present in embarrassing numbers at both the UFC 308 pre-fight press conference, where more questions were directed at Dana than any fighter, and at the party. post-fight where the boss speaks directly to the media and usually talks about important news and correspondence.

A member of the Spanish media told Dana White how amazing he was, then asked about UFC Spain, only to have two more of his fellow pre-fight pressers ask the same question about UFC Spain.

Then, after the fights, a caller asked the company CEO the most blatant question possible – because it wasn’t even a question.

The quote reads: “I don’t have a question, but I just really want to appreciate what you’ve done for the sport. And I want you to know that even after 100 or 150 years, your name will still be there. So, my request is to never stop what you are doing, keep making this work the greatest it can be and never retire.”

Someone at the press conference with Dana White:

I don’t have a question, but I just really want to appreciate what you’ve done to the sport. And I want you to know that even after 100 or 150 years, your name will still be there. So my request is to never stop what you are doing. Keep… pic.twitter.com/wnWGCB1q4P

– Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) October 26, 2024

This is pure flattery, a simple waste of time at a press conference to flatter a powerful man.

And why? Why is this man here? Because the UFC invited him here, just like they continued to invite mostly PR people rather than real journalists who would question their business practices, or whatever Dana White doesn’t feel like answering .

He castigates any journalist who asks probing questions

Why, then, does White degrade the admittedly powerless sports media to this extent?

He has everything to gain from hurting experienced journalists who remain outside his sphere of influence, by increasingly using the media space for outside media and content creators who will help him do PR for him return the favor of being invited.