Is Dana White right? Why fight sports is — and has to be — about more than just 'holy s***' moments

UFC CEO Dana White has been publicly emphasizing the importance of 'holy s***' moments as a key value proposition for both the UFC and his Power Slap brand, arguing these viral, shocking moments drive interest in combat sports. Columnist Ben Fowlkes, writing for Yahoo Sports on August 5, 2026, pushes back on this philosophy, questioning whether fight sports should be reduced to social media clip culture. The piece challenges whether White's content-driven, spectacle-first approach truly serves the long-term interests of the sport.