Dana White admits he’s happy the UFC ultimately didn’t sign Fedor Emelianenko: ‘Thank god they said no’

Dana White has reflected on the UFC's failed pursuit of Fedor Emelianenko, revealing that he and former UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta were actually relieved when the legendary Russian heavyweight declined their offer.

Emelianenko, who reigned as PRIDE heavyweight champion, remained the sport's most prominent fighter to never sign with the UFC despite extensive negotiations. White recalled that he and Fertitta traveled to meet with the Russian and his representatives, prepared to offer substantial money to secure a deal. However, when Emelianenko's camp rejected the proposal, White says the two executives looked at each other on the flight home and felt grateful the agreement fell through.

"We offered him so much money," White told The Pivot podcast. "You get in that room, and you're just trying to get the deal done. We didn't fly all the way out here for nothing." White acknowledged that a matchup between Emelianenko and Brock Lesnar—arguably the only major fight the UFC failed to make during that era—would have been historic. Despite his initial desire to orchestrate that dream fight, White insists he harbors no regrets about how events unfolded.

Emelianenko instead competed for Strikeforce and Bellator before retiring following a knockout loss to Ryan Bader in 2023. Despite never entering the Octagon, Emelianenko is widely regarded as the greatest heavyweight in MMA history and remains the sport's most successful fighter to never compete in the UFC. Lesnar, meanwhile, maintained his status as one of the promotion's biggest draws regardless of never facing the Russian legend.