UFC president Dana White has never shied away from making controversial statements. One of his most provocative takes has resurfaced just days before his ally, President Donald Trump, welcomes the world to the United States for the World Cup. Trump has strongly associated himself with the global sporting spectacle, which kicks off in two weeks. However, White is unlikely to attend. In fact, the UFC boss has previously railed against the sport's existence.
With the World Cup approaching, White's 2018 comments to the Calgary Sun, in which he branded soccer as the 'least talented sport' on Earth, have resurfaced. 'Soccer? Whole 'nother ballgame. Can't stand soccer, I think it's the least talented sport on Earth,' White told the outlet. 'There's a reason three-year-olds can play soccer, okay? You run around and kick a ball.' He added, 'When you're playing a game where the net is this big [gestures] and the score is 3-1? Are you kidding me? Do you know how untalented you have to be to score three points when the net is this big?'
A clip of White's remarks has circulated widely on social media. Fans of the world's most popular sport have criticized his assessment. One user on X wrote, 'What an idiot. Soccer players are by far the best all-round athletes of all sports.' Another joked, 'Does he know three-year-olds fight as well, or is he just an extremely stupid person who lacks self-awareness at an alarming level?' A further comment read, 'Dude invented a sport where you slap each other. F*** you, pal.' One user noted, 'Wait until he finds out running is a sport, and fishing, and that ANYONE can fight. It's not always being able to do something that's hard; it's about being able to do something better than everyone, even if it's something everyone can do.' Another critic stated, 'Wow, extremely bad take. I would rather my girls learn teamwork, accountability, and working with strengths and weaknesses than whatever he is promoting does for society.'
White will attempt to overshadow the World Cup by hosting a UFC event outdoors at the White House the same week the tournament begins. Trump and White have a long-standing relationship; the politician opened his Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City for the first UFC event. White recently discussed his friendship with Trump and why he continues to support him. When Trump began his first serious presidential run in 2016, he asked White to speak at the Republican National Convention. Despite pleas from his inner circle to decline the offer, White took the stage. 'Everybody said, 'Don't do it. Don't do it,' White told Time Magazine. 'It was about more than 'You don't want to get into politics.' The bigger one was 'He's never gonna win.' And I was like, 'Well, whether he wins or not, the guy's been a good friend to me.''
