‘I Completely Blocked It Out’: DWCS Fighter Reveals Why Dana White’s Support Didn’t Sink In
Sal Everett explains why Dana White’s support didn’t affect him as the former UFC employee earned a contract on DWCS.
Sal Everett had a lot on his plate as he approached Dana White's Contender Series. Not only was he vying for a coveted UFC contract, but he was also up against an undefeated fighter- all while performing in front of UFC CEO Dana White, who just so happens to be his former boss.
Despite all that, Everett claims he was able to tune out the pressure of having Dana White openly rooting for him.
“I completely blocked it out,” Everett said, describing White as a "straight hustler". “I think that helps with working for him and over the years of just getting comfortable being around him.”
Everett's Unique Relationship With Dana White
Everett's relationship with White goes well beyond that of a typical DWCS prospect. He first came into the UFC scene through a security role before eventually transitioning to being White's personal runner, getting to know the UFC CEO closely on a personal level while also chasing his own MMA dreams.
The close connection allowed Everett to distinguish between the boss and friend he knew and the promoter who was there to watch him fight.
“I think that helps with working for him and over the years of just getting comfortable being around him. Just understanding him as a person and he’s human, and yeah, Dana’s no different from any of us,” Everett explained.
White openly admitted before the fight that he was rooting for Everett, making the matchup all the more intriguing. The 29-year-old stepped into the ring boasting a perfect 4-0 professional record, with each of his victories coming by stoppage.
From UFC Employee to UFC Fighter
Everett's unusual UFC journey in the UFC hit a high note on Tuesday night In a showdown against fellow undefeated welterweight Ozzy Martin, he delivered a stunning first-round knockout at 1:57, bringing his record to 5-0 and securing a coveted UFC contract.
White was visibly excited about the outcome, showering Everett with praise for his character before officially welcoming him to the UFC family.
“Everybody at the UFC loves you. You’re a great kid,” White said. “This could not happen to a better person.”
Everett has now made the leap from protecting UFC personnel to becoming one of them. Yet, despite White's personal investment in his story, the new UFC fighter emphasizes that treating the UFC president like anyone else helped him maintain his focus when the biggest opportunity of his career came knocking.
