Dana White Reveals What He Told NFL Star Maxx Crosby If He Fought For UFC

Dana White and Maxx Crosby have maintained a friendship for several years, as Crosby continues to be the face of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Jun 13, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; UFC president and chief executive officer Dana White looks on during weigh-ins for the UFC Freedom 250 at The Ellipse. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

UFC CEO Dana White is a straight-shooter, whether loved or hated. White, who has run the UFC since Feb. 2001 and helped transform it into the global behemoth it is today, has seen a plethora of fighters over the years. Some, of course, have made it to the top, while others have not.

There is one athlete White says would have excelled in MMA, and his answer may be a surprise to some, but especially those who follow the NFL: Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby.

Crosby, who has been a star for the Raiders since 2019 when they played their games in Oakland originally, befriended White following the team's move to Las Vegas in recent years. Crosby has been regularly seen at UFC live events alongside White, including an appearance on Dana White: Lookin' For a Fight.

White spoke to the media Tuesday following the first episode of Season 10 of Dana White's Contender Series. Former New York Jets linebacker Anthony Wint was one of four fighters who earned a contract, needing 34 seconds to secure a KO/TKO victory against Matt Adams in the night's main event from the newly-renovated Meta APEX in Las Vegas.

White was impressed enough to draw a direct comparison between Crosby and Adams, both of whom took different paths athletically.

Dana White Reacts To Maxx Crosby

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“When you look at a lot of these guys that play in the NFL, if they… Imagine if Maxx Crosby trained in MMA since he was a kid, he would be a world champion right now,” White said. “And I believe that to my core. And I know a lot of s*** about Maxx Crosby that you guys don’t know.”

White didn't go into specifics further, but it is clear to recognize just how common the transition from football (or professional wrestling) to MMA is. Prime examples include Brock Lesnar and Josh Hokit as two heavyweights who did find success upon their transitions.

What's Next For UFC-NFL Crossovers?

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Of course, Lesnar became the UFC Heavyweight Champion in Nov. 2008. Meanwhile, Hokit has burst onto the scene over the last year as he secured his biggest MMA win thus far in June against Derrick Lewis at the White House.

In a nutshell, not every transition goes according to plan. But for those who transition to become multi-sport athletes, it's easy to see that, sometimes, success does come naturally.

Whether this continues remains to be seen.