UFC president Dana White tested positive for COVID-19 this week and is currently in isolation in his Las Vegas home, he said on “The Jim Rome Podcast” on Wednesday.
White, 52, said he and his immediate family tested positive after spending the Thanksgiving holiday together in Maine. White resides in Las Vegas, but was born in the Northeast and frequently visits his estate in Maine.
White confirmed on the podcast that he is vaccinated, and said he consulted his close friend and UFC commentator Joe Rogan for advice after his diagnosis. The UFC president said he is already feeling better and wants to attend a UFC Fight Night event on Saturday in Las Vegas if he is able to test negative.
“You’re supposed to stay home and stay away from other people for 10 days,” White said on the podcast. “That’s what I’m doing. If I test negative, then I will absolutely, positively be there. I’ll keep testing every two days until I’m negative and then I’m going to get back to work ASAP.”
In terms of scheduling competition, White was one of the most aggressive commissioners in sports during the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC partnered with the government of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates to keep live events going on Fight Island during the pandemic in 2020, as well as hosting events at its Apex facility in Las Vegas.
White said he called Rogan immediately after his positive test and has taken a monocular antibody treatment, NAD drip, vitamin drip and dose of ivermectin. White said he feels like “a million bucks” and is working out multiple times per day. He said he temporarily lost his sense of smell.
The UFC has three live events scheduled for the rest of 2021. In addition to this weekend’s UFC Fight Night event at the Apex, the company has a UFC 269 pay-per-view on its books for Dec. 11 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as well as a final UFC Fight Night on Dec. 18 at the Apex.