Dana White played EA Sports UFC 5 as Ilia Topuria against blogger Adin Ross, who selected Arman Tsarukyan. In the virtual matchup, Topuria was knocked out, forcing White to apologize for the loss. The gaming session appears to have been part of promotional content with the popular streamer. While the details of the session are limited, the post captures a lighthearted moment between the UFC president and online influencer. White's willingness to engage with gaming content demonstrates the promotion's ongoing efforts to reach younger audiences.
UFC president Dana White took a turn on EA Sports UFC 5 recently, picking up the controller as featherweight-turned-lightweight contender Ilia Topuria — only to come away with a virtual loss against streamer Adin Ross, who had selected top-ranked lightweight Arman Tsarukyan. White reportedly apologized after his in-game Topuria was knocked out during the session, which appears to have been filmed as promotional content alongside the popular online influencer.
Topuria, 29, carries a 17-1-0 professional record and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division while holding the number one pound-for-pound ranking. The Spain-based fighter out of Climent Club stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy, adding nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes to his all-around threat level.
Ross chose well on the sticks. Tsarukyan, also 29, is the number one-ranked lightweight at 23-3-0, representing Russia out of American Top Team. He matches Topuria's five-foot-seven frame but holds a three-inch reach advantage at 72 inches. The Armenian-born fighter posts 3.85 significant strikes per minute at a 50 percent clip and averages 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the division's most well-rounded pressers.
Why it matters
- The session puts two of the lightweight division's biggest names — Topuria at number two, Tsarukyan at number one — in the spotlight together, even in a virtual setting.
- White's participation in streamer content underlines the UFC's continued push to grow its audience among younger, digitally native fans.
- The lighthearted format keeps the real-world rivalry between Topuria and Tsarukyan in public conversation ahead of any potential matchup.
