Dana White is the patriarch of the Mixed Martial Arts world, having rescued UFC when it was on the verge of bankruptcy, ultimately making it the world's favorite promotion for combat sports. Vince McMahon, born into a wrestling family, transformed the face of professional wrestling, by changing it from a local, regional business to something that enjoyed by millions across the globe.
One may believe that the similarities end there for good. You’ll be surprised to find that they have a lot more in common than is obvious at first glance. Here’s an interesting, fun and informative take on 5 similarities between Vincent Kennedy McMahon and Dana White.
#5 Estranged relationship with their mothers
In her unauthorized biography ‘Dana White-King of MMA’, Dana White’s mother June described her son as ‘egotistical, self-centered, arrogant and cruel’ and someone who went from being a ‘true friend, good son and truly nice person’ to being a ‘vindictive tyrant who lacks any feelings for how he treats others’, ever since he attained success with UFC and became the top name in the thrilling world of mixed martial arts.
This hatred stemmed from how he treated his 93-year-old grandmother, who was living in a trailer while he was off making millions of dollars. The same grandmother who used to drive him to school and make dinner for Dana.
Vince McMahon's experience with his mother was even worse. In an interview with Playboy, he confessed- ‘I was abused as a child... and let’s just say it wasn’t from the male’. Playboy asked if this is the reason he’s estranged from his mother.
Without mentioning the exact specifics, McMahon confessed that this was a pretty close assessment. It's a well-known fact that Vince McMahon is a complete insomniac who does not sleep at night. He’s admitted to ‘Interview’, that a primary reason for this is that he remembers what his mother and his stepfather used to do to him.
#4 Junior
Let’s move to a happier topic. Most wrestling fans are aware that Vincent K. McMahon is actually Vince McMahon Jr., son of the legendary wrestling promoter- Vincent James McMahon. Sadly he only met his father at the age of twelve, as his parents had been estranged when he was a child, and his father has taken custody of Rod, Vince’s brother.
Before that, he was raised as Vinnie Lupton. Mr. Lupton? Does not have quite the same ring to it as McMahon.
What’s not very well known is the fact that Dana White is also Dana White Jr. He was born in Manchester, Connecticut to Dana White Sr. but was raised by his mother June White instead. They may be ‘senior’ in their respective fields, but both McMahon and White were born ‘junior’.
#3 Met their wives at a very young age
Did you know that Vince McMahon first met his wife, Linda when she was 13 as both their mothers used to work in the same building? That too, they met in Church. In fact, Vince; abused in his own home, began to spend more and more time with Linda McMahon, and became close to her family, where he felt a feeling of normalcy.
They dated through high school and immediately after she graduated, Vince asked Linda to marry him. They have been married ever since, and are still going strong right now.
While Linda McMahon is very much in the public eye as a member of Donald Trump’s cabinet, on the other hand, Anne White shies away from the limelight. What do they have in common? She met Dana when he was only a child, in the eighth grade!
Yes, they are among the richest couples in the world at present, living in privacy at their home in Las Vegas, Nevada. However, they've been together forever long before they got married in the year 2006.
#2- Both have overcome severe healthy conditions
It’s absolutely amazing how both Dana White and Vince McMahon have battled severe conditions, and yet risen to the apex of their chosen fields. Dana White was diagnosed with Meniere's disease in 2012, a severe form of vertigo (’vertigo on steroids, according to the man).
After a failed surgery, he underwent stem cell surgery for this inner ear disease in Germany and has apparently, never felt any better. He claims that he is 100% cured right now.
Vince McMahon has always been severely dyslexic, and this affected him very greatly in his younger days. With age and self-conditioning, McMahon managed to overcome this disorder and became one of the most respected businessmen in the world shortly thereafter.
Today, both these men are stronger than ever before.
#1 Understanding of crossover audience
We saw how Ronda Rousey's appearance at Wrestlemania had the whole world talking about the same. We also saw how CM Punk managed to sell a lot of tickets for the UFC, because of his appeal in WWE. Of course, ‘the Beast’ Brock Lesnar has made both men a lot of money indeed.
Both men realize that there is a vast crossover audience for both sports entertainment and MMA. Neither refrains from using the other’s talent to capture eyeballs. Much like the Monday Night Wars, we’re sure we’ll see many more names from either company shift camps in days to come.
