"Something that I had going on" - Dana White says "nobody needs to know" details of Mark Zuckerberg's Apex appearance
Dana White and the UFC surprised everyone by opting to conduct UFC Fight Night: Dern vs. Yan behind closed doors. Fans and media were not allowed at the UFC Apex, a first since COVID-19 restrictions were uplifted.
However, there was a special guest in attendance. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife were spotted octagon-side during the event's broadcast. Zuckerberg, a mixed martial arts enthusiast, revealed that he was there at the invitation of the UFC president.
Dana White addressed the speculation regarding Zuckerberg's presence at UFC Vegas 61 in an interview on My Mom's Basement with Robbie Fox. He declined to divulge any information and promised to do so when the time was right.
White said:
"That's just nobody's business, you know what I mean? I was having something that I had going on there on Saturday and, you know, nobody needs to know. You guys are on a need-to-know basis with me. When I need you to know, I'll let you know."
The speculation from fans revolved around the event being an opportunity for a collaboration between the UFC and Meta to stage a fight in the metaverse. There was no confirmation of that from either party, though.
Dana White confirms signing Hasbulla and warns Conor McGregor against encountering him
A potential collaboration between Meta and the UFC could potentially be a commercial masterstroke. Along the same lines, president Dana White has secured social media megastar Hasbulla Magomedov's signature.
The popular Russian is loved by many in the mixed martial arts fraternity and is often likened to his compatriot Khabib Nurmagomedov, who he is good friends with.
White confirmed his signing in the same interview with Robbie Fox:
"Yes, we did sign Hasbulla. And what he's going to end up doing, remains to be seen."
The 20-year-old has had multiple run-ins with Conor McGregor on social media, and Dana White jokingly warned the Irishman about crossing paths with him.
"Conor's gonna f*** around and get his a** whooped if he runs into him [Hasbulla] out in the streets."
Newly-signed Hasbulla will be in attendance at UFC 280, with reports suggesting he may even be present in the corner of his longtime friend Islam Makhachev.
Check out White's full interview with Robbie Fox below: