Dana White has faced many surprises during UFC events, but one call tops them all. On July 18, 2025, during an interview on the Games With Names podcast, the UFC president shared a shocking story. While managing a Daniel Cormier fight in Texas, he learned his young daughter’s ear was ripped off by the family dog.
A Frantic Emergency Call
The podcast host noticed White’s phone use during fights.
“We always see you on your phone during the fights,” the host said. “What is the craziest call you’ve ever gotten during a fight?”
White quickly recalled the chaotic moment from years ago.
“I think we were in Texas and it was a Cormier fight,” White recalled. “I don’t remember who Cormier was fighting, but my daughter was really young and the dog that we had at the time ripped her ear off. Yeah, during the fight.”
The call came right in the middle of the event, pulling White into a family crisis.
Quick Action to Save His Daughter
The situation was intense.
“As you can imagine, my wife was losing her mind and everybody was freaking out,” he continued. “So I ran over and grabbed Dr. [Jeff] Davidson, who’s the UFC doctor from Vegas, and we started making calls. Got a plastic surgeon.” White acted fast to get medical help.
The injury was gruesome.
“Not only did the dog rip her ear off, but it ripped her ear in half too. My wife had to pick up her ear. They had to go to the freaking hospital and have her ear sewn back on. That is definitely the craziest call.”
His daughter underwent surgery and recovered fully.
Dana White has been UFC president since 2001, when he and the Fertitta brothers bought the promotion for $2 million. He turned the UFC into a global giant, overseeing countless events. Daniel Cormier, a two-division champion, fought in Texas at UFC 192 in October 2015 against Alexander Gustafsson and UFC 200 in July 2016 against Anderson Silva. The call likely happened during one of these events, given the Texas connection.
White has handled many crises, from fight changes to injuries. Dr. Jeff Davidson, a longtime UFC physician, played a key role in this emergency by connecting White to a plastic surgeon. This personal story stands out as White’s most unforgettable moment ringside.
White’s quick response ensured his daughter got immediate care. The panic of his wife and the severity of the injury made the call stand out. While he couldn’t recall the exact fight, the emotional impact was clear. His daughter’s recovery was a relief after a terrifying ordeal.
