Dana White discussed logistical challenges for the upcoming UFC event at the White House, specifically highlighting a serious insect problem. After attending a dinner in the Rose Garden, White observed swarms of gnats and called his production chief to address the issue. He expressed his general dislike for outdoor events due to these complications. White is concerned that when the event lights are turned on, fighters will have to deal with insects flying into their mouths and eyes during their bouts. The UFC president mentioned considering fans to blow away the insects, but remains uncertain about the solution.
Dana White has voiced concerns about a significant logistical hurdle facing the UFC's planned outdoor event at the White House, specifically an insect infestation that could directly affect fighters inside the octagon.
After attending a dinner in the Rose Garden, White noticed large swarms of gnats and immediately contacted his production chief to begin addressing the problem. The UFC president acknowledged that outdoor events come with complications he generally dislikes, and this situation appears to be reinforcing that view.
White's primary concern is practical: once the event lights are switched on, the brightness will attract insects in large numbers, potentially leaving fighters contending with gnats flying into their mouths and eyes mid-bout. For athletes competing at the highest level, even minor distractions can have real consequences during exchanges.
Why it matters
- Fighter performance could be directly impacted if insects swarm the octagon during bouts
- Production and event staff face an unusual environmental challenge with no straightforward fix
- The outdoor White House setting presents logistical complications beyond those of a standard arena event
White floated the idea of deploying fans around the venue to physically blow insects away from the fighting area, though he stopped short of committing to that as a firm solution. The problem remains unresolved, and the UFC's production team is apparently working to find an answer before the event takes place.
