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Dana White, UFC’s president and CEO, remembered Pro Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan on Thursday night after his death in Florida.
White appeared on Pakinomist Channel’s “Jesse Watter’s Primetime” and reflected on Hogan’s performance on the Republican National Convention. He said he was in a holding room with Kid Rock waiting to go on stage when Hogan asked to talk to him.
“Hulk Hogan grabbed me and asked me if he could talk to me privately for a moment,” White said. “And he pulled me aside and I will never forget the conversation that we had that night.
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Hulk Hogan rips his shirt before Republican President Nominated Donald Trump speaks on a campaign management at Madison Square Garden 27 October 2024 in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
“He was a good man. He was special. He loved the president, and obviously he loved America.”
White gave the honor to Hogan, Muhammad Ali, Don King and the martial arts and the sports entertainment world in that era to help shape what UFC is today.
“The way UFC is today and the things I’ve done to build it all have a small piece of all these guys and their business,” White added.
The Clearwater police said officials were called to an emergency in cardiac arrest in Hogan’s home. Pro Wrestler was transported to a hospital and died about an hour later. Hogan was 71.
Hogan’s death sent ripples over the sports entertainment world. White was just one of dozens of people paid tribute to the wwe icon all day.
“WWE is sorry to learn the WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is dead,” WWE said in a statement. “One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures Hogan helped WWE gain global recognition in the 1980s.
Trump remembers ‘great friend’ Hulk Hogan as ‘maga all the way’ after the tragic death of the wrestling icon
Dana White speaks before Donald Trump arrives in a rally in front of the 60th presidential inauguration, January 19, 2025 in Washington. (Matt Rourke/AP)
“WWE is expanding his condolance to Hogan’s family, friends and fans.”
A statement was released on Hogan’s Instagram page.
“It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm that we have lost a legend,” the post said. “Our beloved Terry Bollea, known all over the world as Hulk Hogan, died today surrounded by his loved ones.
“At this time of grief, we all ask to respect the privacy of his family and friends. May we all comfort us in the wonderful memories he left for the millions of fans around the world whose lives he touched for more than four decades. He will be missed but never forgotten.”
Hogan was a greater character than life that changed pro wrestling several times; Only when he threw others The Giant on Wrestlemania III, and again when he turned on wrestling fans and adapted to the wrestling of the new World Cup.
Hulk Hogan poses during the MTV Video Music Awards Forum in Radio City Music Hall 30 August 2006 in New York. (AP Photo/Jason Decrow, File)
He was a six-time WWE champion, won Royal Rumble twice and was introduced to the WWE Hall of Fame as an individual in 2005 and as a member of NWO in 2020. He was also a six-time world’s heavy weight champion in WCW and IWGP champion in New Japan Pro-Wrestling once.
