In a high-stakes antitrust lawsuit against the UFC, Dana White took the stand on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, providing a detailed account of his involvement in the case. Under oath, White spent over two and a half hours answering questions from lawyers representing a class of former UFC fighters, with Judge Richard Boulware periodically interjecting with his own inquiries. The focus of the questioning was on potential spoliation, with the plaintiffs alleging that the defendants had not fully disclosed chat documents after years of litigation.
White's testimony revealed a less-than-tech-savvy side, as he admitted to being unsure about specific in-app functions and relying on his assistants for phone upgrades and app installations. He even mentioned his preference for a flip phone, which he plans to return post-lawsuit, if not for the court's requirement to use a smartphone. White also shed light on his day-to-day business practices, denying any substantial negotiations with fighters through messaging apps, despite evidence of communication with Jeremy Stephens via WhatsApp.
The missing iPhone 11 became a central point of interest. White suspected theft by a former employee, a relative of Ari Emanuel, who was fired for stealing company items. He reported the disappearance of a baseball championship ring and company Christmas presents, with security footage confirming the culprit. White denied destroying any correspondence and expressed suspicion that his missing phone was also stolen.
Following White's testimony, Tracy Long, the UFC vice president of athlete compliance and regulatory affairs, was questioned. The questioning centered on her role in contract negotiations, with exchanges between Long and matchmakers regarding fighter contracts referenced. Long denied direct involvement in negotiations but admitted to correspondence with managers and athletes, documenting messages with screenshots for promotional agreements.
The case continues with more testimonies scheduled, including that of Hunter Campbell, Elliott Howard, and Eric Yee, as the legal proceedings unfold, leaving the outcome of the antitrust lawsuit against the UFC uncertain.
