It’s no secret that UFC CEO Dana White has developed strong friendships with several fighters that have competed in the Octagon over the years. However, there is one former fighter in particular that he says he speaks to the most.

During a recent interview with Robbie Fox of Spinnin Backfist, White was asked which retired fighter he keeps in closest contact with.

His answer, which will surely surprise many fans, is former UFC and WEC lightweight champ Anthony Pettis.

👀Dana White reveals that Anthony Pettis is the retired fighter he speaks with the most

“Sometimes we‘ll talk fight, we’ll talk his business, we’ll talk gambling.”

🎥 @SpinninBackfist pic.twitter.com/SGwI1yH6CF

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) January 9, 2026

Dana White keeps in close contact with former UFC champ Anthony Pettis

“Me and Anthony Pettis talk a lot,” White said.

The UFC boss didn’t go into too much detail about what he and Pettis talk about, but named business and gambling as recurring topics.

“We’ll talk fights, we’ll talk his business, we’ll talk gambling,” he said. “He gambles. Pettis plays.”

White also revealed that he keeps in close contact with another WEC and UFC veteran, Manny Gamburyan.

“Manny Gamburyan hits me up a lot, we talk a lot,” he said.

Anthony Pettis had a great run in the UFC.

After a knockout win over Donald Cerrone, he claimed the lightweight belt with a submission of Benson Henderson in 2013. He then defended the belt with a decision win over Gilbert Melendez before losing it to Rafael dos Anjos in 2015.

Pettis was hot and cold from there, but picked up a few more impressive wins, including defeats of Charles Oliveira, Jim Miller, Michael Chiesa, and Stephen Thompson.

Like White, the former champ now runs his own fight promotion, Anthony Pettis Fighting Championship.