UFC President Dana White has drawn criticism for remarks describing Australia as a "small country," a statement that has baffled fans and ignited social media debate. The comments were made in the aftermath of UFC 329, a major event that featured Conor McGregor's comeback fight.
During a press conference, White was asked about the contribution of talent from Hawaii to the UFC. He praised Australia as a fertile ground for successful fighters, despite its perceived size. "When we first went over to Australia, you think about how small it is, and nobody over there could do mixed martial arts," White stated. "Now it's like a hotbed of top 10 world champions and hall of fame fighters."
White appeared to draw a comparison between Australia and Hawaii in terms of size, a comparison that prompted disbelief. Hawaii has a land area of approximately 6,423 square miles and a population of under 1.5 million. In contrast, Australia's total area is nearly three million square miles, with a population of approximately 27.8 million.
Fans quickly took to social media platforms to voice their astonishment. One user pointed out on X, "It's 465 times larger than Hawaii." Another added that Australia's population is "20 times bigger than Hawaii" and its area is "270 times bigger."
White's assessment overlooked Australia's significant contribution to UFC talent. The country has produced numerous world champions across various divisions, including Robert Whittaker, Alexander Volkanovski, and Jack Della Maddalena. Hawaii has also been a source of talent, with B.J. Penn and Max Holloway being notable titleholders from the region.