In a gripping turn of events during an ongoing antitrust lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White took the stand on February 4, 2026, providing testimony that lasted over two and a half hours in Nevada Federal District Court. This case has garnered significant attention, especially as it centers around allegations of incomplete document production by the defendants, which includes White himself and fellow UFC executive Tracy Long. The plaintiffs, representing former UFC fighters, are arguing that essential chat documents were not fully disclosed, creating a tense atmosphere in the courtroom.
As the proceedings unfolded, Judge Richard Boulware interjected with his own questions, seeking clarification amidst the detailed inquiries from the plaintiff’s legal team. The focus of the questioning was primarily on the potential spoliation of evidence, which pertains to the improper handling or destruction of relevant documents or communications.
During his testimony, White presented himself as someone who is not particularly adept with technology. He expressed uncertainty about specific functions within messaging applications and revealed that he typically relies on his assistants for managing phone upgrades and app installations. Remarkably, if it weren’t for a prior court mandate requiring him to use a smartphone, he would still prefer the simplicity of a flip phone—a device he plans to revert to after the lawsuit concludes.
The courtroom dynamics intensified when plaintiff attorney Michael Dell'Angelo probed White about his communication practices with fighters. Notably, there was mention of a conversation with fighter Jeremy Stephens via WhatsApp, as evidenced by an exhibit presented in court. However, White consistently maintained that he does not conduct significant business through these messaging apps and claimed that his direct involvement in negotiating fighter contracts has diminished over the years. Instead, he now defers these responsibilities to colleagues like Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard, and Sean Shelby, redirecting fighters to them when inquiries arise. "You won’t find one manager on this planet who will tell you I've negotiated a deal in I don't know how long," White stated emphatically, indicating a shift in his role since Campbell joined the matchmaking team around 2017.
The narrative took a curious turn when White acknowledged that he had been using multiple cell phones since the litigation hold began. He mentioned that he usually hands over his old devices to UFC's chief business officer, Hunter Campbell, for safekeeping. However, he confessed to the court that one of his iPhones—an iPhone 11—has mysteriously gone missing. White speculated that the disappearance may be linked to a former employee, whom he referred to as "a runner", who was dismissed for theft. This employee happened to be related to Ari Emanuel, further complicating matters. White recalled a series of odd occurrences, including the loss of a baseball championship ring and company Christmas gifts, which raised his suspicion about potential theft within the organization.
Following White’s testimony, Tracy Long, the UFC vice president of athlete compliance and regulation, faced her own round of questioning. Much like White, she was asked about her role in negotiating contracts with athletes. Discussions referenced frustrations regarding champion Ilia Topuria and his management over delayed paperwork, along with clarifications made with Mick Maynard concerning a fighter's return to kickboxing. While Long denied being directly involved in negotiations, she admitted to maintaining correspondence with both managers and athletes, as she is responsible for drafting promotional agreements. Long reassured the court that she kept thorough documentation of her communications through screenshots and physical copies.
When questioned about missing text messages, Long firmly denied deleting any and mentioned her attempts to recover lost messages through Verizon, albeit with little success due to long hold times.
The courtroom drama is far from over, as further testimonies are scheduled for tomorrow. Hunter Campbell, along with UFC staff members Elliott Howard and Eric Yee, are set to take the stand next. Additionally, Judge Boulware hinted that UFC attorney Colby Williams might also need to testify, considering the statements from White and Long regarding their adherence to protocols for the litigation hold and document preservation. The proceedings will resume at 9 a.m. local time, and updates will be provided as the situation develops.
