Dana White played a UFC video game as Ilia Topuria against blogger Adin Ross, who selected Arman Tsarukyan as his fighter. During the virtual matchup, Topuria was knocked out in the game, forcing White to apologize after the loss. The gaming session appears to have been part of promotional content or entertainment. The playful nature of the event generated social media attention. No real fight implications were suggested by the gaming session.
UFC President Dana White found himself on the wrong end of a virtual knockout on April 9, 2026, after losing a session of the UFC video game while controlling lightweight contender Ilia Topuria against internet personality Adin Ross.
White took the controls with Topuria — the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world and the number two ranked lightweight, carrying a 17-1-0 professional record — while Ross selected Arman Tsarukyan to oppose him. In the game, Topuria was knocked out, prompting White to offer an apology following the defeat. The session appeared to be part of promotional or entertainment content rather than any formal competitive event.
Topuria, 29, fights out of Spain under the Climent Club banner and stands five-foot-seven with a 69-inch reach. The orthodox striker lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute at 48 percent accuracy in real competition, numbers that clearly did not translate to White's in-game performance.
Tsarukyan, the fighter Ross chose, is currently the top-ranked lightweight contender at 23-3-0. The 29-year-old Russian trains with American Top Team and is known for a high-volume grappling approach, averaging 3.26 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.85 significant strikes per minute at 50 percent accuracy. His 72-inch reach also gives him a three-inch advantage over Topuria in real life.
Why it matters
- Topuria and Tsarukyan are the top two lightweights in the division, giving even a lighthearted gaming moment added context for fans tracking the 155-pound title picture.
- The clip generated social media attention, keeping both fighters in the public conversation ahead of any potential future matchup.
- White's willingness to engage with content creators like Adin Ross reflects the UFC's continued push into entertainment and streaming audiences.
