Former UFC executive Nakisa Bidarian, now a business partner of Jake Paul, reflects on his complex relationship with UFC CEO Dana White and how their dynamic has evolved into a rivalry due to Paul’s outspoken criticism of White and the UFC.
UFC CEO Dana White may view Nakisa Bidarian as an enemy and competitor now. But not long ago, the two worked hand-in-hand to help turn UFC into a financial behemoth.
Bidarian is a close business partner of Jake Paul’s and co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions. Before that, he was a trusted ally of former UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta.
The Fertitta brothers brought Bidarian on as an executive in charge of strategy and business ventures with the UFC in 2011. By the time he departed UFC in 2016, he was the promotion’s Chief Financial Officer.
Yet due to Paul’s never-ending war of words against White, Bidarian has come into the UFC boss’ crosshairs often over the past few years. In a rare longform interview Wednesday on The MMA Hour, Bidarian reflected on his relationship with White during his UFC days.
“Look, I respect Dana for the impact he’s had on fight sports. Right? And you have to commend his ability to control the narrative at UFC and with the fighters,” Bidarian said.
“I would say Dana and I had an up-and-down relationship, which I don’t think is different from a lot of relationships he had with executives at UFC during that period of time. I’ve always been outspoken in my beliefs and not afraid to present what we think is the right path forward strategically to do things.”
“And you have to remember, I wasn’t hired by Dana White. I didn’t interview with Dana White to come into the UFC.”
“You could argue that he was a proponent of me leaving the UFC, absolutely, for many different reasons. But we had an amicable relationship for most of the time that I was there.”
Perhaps Bidarian’s greatest accomplishment during his UFC days came toward the end of his tenure. He worked as the “lead advisor for UFC and the Fertittas, in addition to JP Morgan and Raine [Group]” on the more than $4 billion sale of the promotion to talent agency Endeavor in 2016.
According to Bidarian, UFC nearly sold two years earlier in 2014; however, financials didn’t hit a number the Fertittas wanted. But by 2016? Different story—the final sale price stood as one of sports history’s most expensive transactions.
After that monumental sale? Bidarian moved on to join Fertitta Capital.
“We got them exactly what they wanted at that time.”
“I went and set up Fertitta Capital after that,” he continued.
The Fertittas committed substantial capital for him and his team to invest in media, entertainment, and sports.
The plan? Bring in third-party capital over time.
But after about two years? A misalignment occurred.
Frank and Lorenzo wanted their capital kept within their family.
Meanwhile, Bidarian aimed for external investors.
That difference led them to part ways.
Their split? Completely amicable.
Shortly after? He met Jake Paul.
And soon enough—Most Valuable Promotions was born.
Seemingly overnight—Bidarian found himself dragged into Paul’s feud with White.
“Dana helped Ben Askren get with Freddie Roach when it was announced Ben would fight Jake Paul,” said Bidarian.
Roach trained Askren; even claimed he’d make Jake “the biggest meme in fight sports history.”
Dana bet a million dollars Jake would lose—Jake won instead.
Fast forward: Tyron Woodley fight—Jake wins again; Dana calls it rigged.
That made me wonder: Why knock down this young man?
Sure he’s poking fun—but misinformation like claiming fights are fixed?
Then came Woodley rematch; accusations flew about steroids use by Jake.
That moment—I told Jake I’d support him more publicly about fighter pay issues.
That’s when Dana attacked me—he knew I’d educated Jake on fighter pay ecosystem.”
Still—Bidarian rarely fires back publicly at White’s accusations.
That decision has been purposeful.
“I’m private; focused on family,” said Bidarian.
Dana can talk all he wants—it doesn’t bother me.”
Paul faces Mike Perry July 20th at Amalie Arena under MVP umbrella airing live on DAZN.
Bidarians entire sitdown can be watched above.