UFC President Dana White played a UFC video game against blogger Adin Ross, with White selecting Ilia Topuria and Ross choosing Arman Tsarukyan. The virtual match ended with Topuria being knocked out, forcing White to apologize after the loss. The gaming session appears to have been part of promotional content or entertainment featuring the UFC president. The outcome saw Tsarukyan's virtual character defeating Topuria's in the simulation. Details are limited, but the event generated social media attention and demonstrated White's willingness to engage in promotional activities.
UFC President Dana White found himself on the losing end of a virtual octagon on April 9, 2026, when blogger and internet personality Adin Ross defeated him in a UFC video game session that drew considerable attention on social media.
White selected Ilia Topuria for his in-game fighter, while Ross countered with Arman Tsarukyan. The virtual bout did not go White's way — Topuria's character was knocked out, and the UFC president was left apologizing for the result.
Topuria, known as "El Matador," is one of the most prominent fighters in the sport right now. The 29-year-old Spanish fighter carries a professional record of 17-1-0 and currently sits at number two in the lightweight division while holding the number one pound-for-pound ranking. Standing five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach, he lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy in real competition.
Tsarukyan, the fighter Ross chose to play as, holds the top spot in the lightweight rankings and brings an even more decorated record of 23-3-0. The 29-year-old Russian, who trains out of American Top Team, shares Topuria's height but owns a notably longer reach at 72 inches — 183 centimeters. His real-world output includes 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy and a strong grappling game, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan holds the number one lightweight ranking to Topuria's number two, making their real-world rivalry one of the division's most anticipated storylines
- The gaming session puts both fighters in the public spotlight ahead of any potential matchup between them
- White's willingness to participate in streamer content reflects the UFC's ongoing push into digital and youth-oriented media spaces
