Dana White explains why UFC doesn't host Pride Nights

UFC CEO Dana White told Fox News this week that his promotion has no plans to hold Pride Nights, saying the organization prefers to avoid overt messaging of any kind.

White's comments came after several San Francisco Giants players drew criticism for their response to a recent MLB Pride Night event. One player declined to wear a Pride-themed hat while three others wrote a Bible verse on theirs.

White addresses UFC roster and LGBTQ representation

When asked why the UFC steers clear of Pride Nights, White said the question should be flipped. "I'm staring at my roster of top 15 fighters, I'm assuming we have some gay fighters," he told Fox News, per MMA Fighting. "I don't know how many of them are openly. I know that we have gay female fighters. I don't give a s*** what you are or who you are or what you do, we don't talk about that or any of that stuff."

The UFC has sold Pride-themed merchandise in the past, including a T-shirt and shorts bearing the tagline "We Are All Fighters" in rainbow colors. But the promotion rarely stages themed events apart from its annual Noche UFC cards celebrating Latin American culture and the recent show at the White House.

White also addressed how he handles fighters who make controversial statements, citing recent comments by Josh Hokit that drew backlash. "I'm a believer of free speech, too. I let everybody be themselves, do their thing," he said. "There's a lot of things that some of my guys say that I don't love." White added that the UFC regularly supports charities without publicizing the donations, preferring to operate without what he called performative gestures.

Original reporting:

• mmafighting.com — Dana White shares stance on UFC and Pride Nights: ‘I’m assuming we have some gay fighters’ | MMA Fighting