Dana White, the outspoken UFC president, thrives on bold moves, but his decision to host Andrew and Tristan Tate at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena has ignited a firestorm. With the Tate brothers facing human trafficking charges in Romania and a new criminal probe in Florida, was it a smart play to give them cageside seats and a public shoutout? And if not, does it even matter?
Who Are the Tate Brothers? A Quick Recap
Andrew Tate, a former kickboxer turned viral influencer, and his brother Tristan have amassed millions of followers with their unfiltered takes on masculinity and wealth, and the former is one of the most Googled people on the planet. But their fame comes with baggage. In Romania, they’re charged with human trafficking and organized crime—allegations they deny. After a travel ban was lifted in February 2025, they returned to the U.S., only to face a Florida investigation. Yet, White welcomed them warmly, first at Power Slap 12 on March 7, then at UFC 313, grinning as he said, “Welcome to the States, boys.” The images have caused a lot of stir on social media.
Why Dana White Invited the Tate Brothers: The Upside
White’s a master of publicity, and the Tate brothers deliver it in spades. Their polarizing personas align with the UFC’s edgy brand—think McGregor’s trash talk or Jones’ redemption arcs and their appearance at UFC 313 sent social media into overdrive. For a sport always chasing new eyes as it looks to continue its rapid growth, this crossover appeal is a win. White’s Trump ties and anti-PC stance also get a boost—hosting the Tates, vocal MAGA supporters, doubles down on his rebel image. Controversy sells, and White knows it.
The Backlash: Why the Tate Brothers at UFC 313 Sparked Outrage
Not everyone’s cheering. Fans and fighters slammed White’s move, with X posts calling it “tone-deaf” and “disgusting.” One wrote, “Human trafficking charges aren’t a joke—why is Dana hugging these guys?” Even conservative voices like Chris Loesch, husband of Dana Loesch, swore off UFC events. The optics sting: a sport pushing for female fans now tied to men accused of exploiting women. Key word here is ‘accused.’
The timing hurt, too. UFC 313’s main event—Alex Pereira vs. Magomed Ankalaev—ended in a lackluster decision, leaving the Tate drama as the night’s biggest story. Did White trade long-term cred for a cheap headline? Or are people reading too much into this?
At the end of the day, both Andrew and Tristan are free men – ‘innocent until proven guilty’ and all – and Dana White is free to host whoever he wishes as the UFC’s CEO.
Pros and Cons of the Tate Brothers’ UFC Appearance
- Pros: Massive publicity, brand alignment, social media buzz.
- Cons: Fan backlash, ethical questions, risks to UFC’s growth.
If White wanted attention, he got it—the Tate brothers at UFC 313 kept the promotion trending for days – any publicity is good publicity, right? But the UFC doesn’t need this boost; stars like Pereira and Gaethje already pack arenas.
For now, it’s a split decision. The short-term hype might fade, but the long-term damage to fan trust could linger. White’s not apologizing—he never does— and why should he? It’s a free country.
What’s your take? Genius move or PR disaster? Drop your thoughts below!
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