Dana White, the outspoken UFC president, has ignited a firestorm of criticism after suggesting that men should keep their mental health struggles private. In a recent interview with TIME, White advised against discussing such issues publicly, urging people to instead “handle it behind closed doors” and avoid showing “that weakness to anybody.”
The comments, which quickly spread across social media, drew sharp rebukes from fans, mental health advocates, and even some within the MMA community. Many argued that White’s stance reinforces dangerous stereotypes that prevent men from seeking help.
‘Unapologetically masculine’
White didn’t stop there. He also dismissed the concept of toxic masculinity, calling himself “unapologetically masculine” and questioning who gets to define what’s too masculine. His remarks struck a particularly raw nerve given the high rates of suicide among men—roughly 100 men per day in the U.S. take their own lives.
“Talking about it publicly, I just feel like it opens the door to make young men think that it’s OK to just f**king go, ‘Oh, I’m having mental [health issues],’” White said, mimicking a whiny tone. “Handle it behind closed doors. Don’t show that weakness to anybody.”
Backlash on social media
Fans on X were quick to push back. One user contrasted White’s advice with that of his own rising star, noting that “one of his biggest up-and-coming talents says the exact opposite.” The user added, “Looking ‘weak’ is an insane way to put it. It takes tremendous strength to talk about these issues, mostly because people like Dana say you shouldn’t.”
Another commenter called the remarks “more damaging than ANY political opinion Dana White has,” arguing that such stigma “causes people to see killing themselves as a legit option.” A third wrote, “This idea of ‘bottle it up, being a man’ is why so many men drown themselves in alcohol, sex, work, and sometimes eat the business end of a gun.”
Some fans dismissed White’s credibility altogether, pointing to his own personal history and questioning his right to offer life advice. However, a smaller group defended him, suggesting he merely meant that people should seek professional help privately rather than airing struggles on social media.
No backtracking expected
White, known for his unflinching style and close ties to former President Donald Trump, has never been one to apologize for controversial statements. The UFC boss has weathered plenty of storms before, including strained relations with former fighters like Tito Ortiz, and shows no sign of softening his stance on this issue.
For now, the debate rages on—whether White’s comments are a call for discretion or a harmful reinforcement of outdated masculinity. What’s clear is that the conversation about mental health in sports, and in society at large, is far from over.
