During a recent interview with Spinnin Backfist’s Robbie Fox, White was asked which retired fighter he maintains closest contact with.
His answer, which is sure to surprise many fans, is former UFC and WEC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
👀Dana White reveals Anthony Pettis is the retired fighter he speaks to the most
“Sometimes we talk about fighting, we talk about his business, we talk about gambling.”
🎥 @SpinninBackfist pic.twitter.com/SGwI1yH6CF
— House of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 9, 2026
Dana White maintains close contact with former UFC champion Anthony Pettis
“Me and Anthony Pettis talk a lot,” White said.
The UFC boss didn’t delve too deeply into what he and Pettis talked about, but mentioned business and gambling as recurring topics.
“We’ll talk about fights, we’ll talk about his business, we’ll talk about gambling,” he said. “He’s gambling. Pettis is playing.”
White also revealed that he remains in close contact with another WEC and UFC veteran, Manny Gamburyan.
“Manny Gamburyan hits me a lot, we talk a lot,” he said.
Anthony Pettis had a great run in the UFC.
After a knockout win over Donald Cerrone, he claimed the lightweight title with a submission of Benson Henderson in 2013. He then defended the title with a decision victory over Gilbert Melendez before losing it to Rafael dos Anjos in 2015.
Pettis was hot and cold from there, but picked up a few more impressive wins, including defeats of Charles Oliveira, Jim Miller, Michael Chiesa and Stephen Thompson.
Like White, the former champion now runs his own fight promotion, Anthony Pettis Fighting Championship.
#Dana #White #reveals #retired #UFC #fighter #speaks