Dan Hardy agrees with the sentiment that UFC President Dana White has mentally distanced himself from MMA. White’s current ventures, including Zuffa Boxing and Power Slap, have led many to believe his enthusiasm for the UFC isn’t what it used to be. This was highlighted recently when White mistakenly mixed up the biographies of UFC 332 main event fighters Natalia Silva and Wang Cong, who are set to compete for the vacant flyweight title this Saturday at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
As a former UFC analyst and commentator, Hardy thinks the UFC’s tremendous growth and widespread appeal have lessened White’s promotional workload. “I’m grateful I experienced the earlier version of Dana because he was a fan first, like everyone else,” Hardy shared on Submission Radio. “He was driven by belief in the product and the financial risk he took with his friends’ backing. It was a tough journey back then. Imagine trying to launch Power Slap simultaneously—it wouldn’t have been possible. The UFC faced real struggles, and that fueled him.
“Now, it almost feels too easy, doesn’t it? Promoting UFC events isn’t as challenging anymore—the tickets often sell out even before the fight card is announced. I’m not sure if he’s lost some hunger because promoting isn’t as demanding now. Maybe that’s why his focus shifted toward Power Slap, boxing, or other ventures. He enjoys challenges, and MMA seems like a mountain he’s already climbed.”
Although White currently has no plans to step down as UFC CEO, Hunter Campbell’s name often comes up as a potential replacement. Still, Hardy suggests a surprising alternative: UFC Hall of Famer Ronda Rousey. “I think the UFC needs fresh promotional energy,” Hardy explained. “Maybe Dana’s time for MMA leadership has passed, and if he moves to boxing, someone else should take over. I’m unsure if Hunter is the right fit, as I haven’t interacted with him much. I’m sensing that Ronda may be positioning herself to become the new ‘face of the UFC’ in the future. We’ll see how that unfolds—I could definitely see Ronda stepping into that role.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Analyst could see Ronda Rousey being Dana White’s successor as ‘UFC face job’.
Fan Take: For fight fans, this news signals a possible major shift in leadership and direction at the UFC, which could bring fresh energy and new promotional strategies to the sport. Ronda Rousey stepping into a front-facing role would not only excite longtime followers but might also attract a broader audience, potentially shaping MMA’s future in groundbreaking ways.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
