The UFC chief visited Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, discussing a potential martial arts AI lab and revealing the sport is already developing AI-driven rankings and scouting.
ABU DHABI: UFC CEO Dana White, during a visit to the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), unveiled ambitious plans to integrate artificial intelligence into combat sports, from AI-assisted judging and fighter rankings to real-time fan education.
The session, part of the university’s Global Thinkers Series, shifted from a discussion to a potential collaboration when students proposed creating the world’s first AI research lab dedicated to martial arts. White immediately saw the synergy with the upcoming UFC Performance Institute in Abu Dhabi, suggesting a powerful partnership between the league’s athlete data and the university’s research capabilities.
“Abu Dhabi is Always First”
When asked what sets the UAE capital apart, White was unequivocal in his praise. “I haven’t heard of anything like this in the United States — you guys are ahead of the curve again,” he stated. “Whether it’s AI, sports, or even how you handled COVID, Abu Dhabi doesn’t wait for others; it is always first. That’s why I love coming here.”
From AI Judging to Talent Scouting
White revealed the UFC is actively developing AI to address long-standing issues in the sport. “I’ve hated the rankings for years,” he admitted, announcing that AI-driven rankings are now in development to work alongside human ones. He also confirmed that AI-assisted judging is a real possibility, which could help prevent controversial decisions that impact fighters’ careers and legacies.
Beyond judging, White’s team already uses AI for global talent scouting, a tool that recently identified 15 prospects in seconds. This blend of data and human expertise, he noted, is the future.
The Unbeatable Human Element
Despite the embrace of technology, White drew a clear line at AI’s limitations. “AI can’t measure heart or grit,” he emphasized. “You can’t program determination—that’s what makes fighting unpredictable.” This human element, he suggested, will always remain at the core of the sport, even as AI transforms everything around it.
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