Dana White claims fans who illegally streamed UFC fights have been 'f***ing smashed'

Dana White says fans who've been illegally streaming fights have been 'f**king smashed'.

The UFC boss has long been trying to stop people from pirating events, even warning them on social media about the repercussions.

And speaking to GQ about the blight on his organisation, White said he has been making sure thieves are brought to justice.

The 53-year-old said people thought he was joking when he claimed he had caught a major illegal streaming operation.

But they're not laughing now.

Replying to a fan question about pirating, White told the publication: "I care about [the pay-per-views] dummy.

"That's how everybody makes their money. You're b****ing about fighters not making enough money - they get a piece of the pay-per-view revenue.

"People who steal it are stealing it from us and them.

Reuters/Alamy

"And what happens to people who steal? You get f***ing smashed and you go to jail that is what happens to you, and I make sure that we get you.

"Everybody was f***ing laughing when I was talking about this but we caught a lot of people.

"People weren't laughing when they got caught, and I had a lot of people begging me not to prosecute them, but stealing is stealing."

In January last year, White took to social media to threaten thieves who planned on streaming Conor McGregor's return to UFC 257.

Commenting on a post to White's Instagram account, one user said: "Can't wait to pirate the f**k out of this thanks Dana I'm excited."

Not taking it lying down, though, White quickly hit back, warning: "And I can't wait to catch u!!! Gotta a surprise for u motherf**kers this year."

Reuters/Alamy

Aside from illegal streaming, White has become embroiled in an argument with Jake Paul over the issue of fighters' pay.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer has called on White to increase their purse, but addressing the topic in the interview, the millionaire said it's a no go.

"Fighters always want to make more money," he said.

"Boxing has absolutely been destroyed because of money and all the things that go on. [A change in fighter pay is] never gonna happen while I'm here, believe me.

"These guys get paid what they're supposed to get paid. They eat what they kill. They get a percentage of the pay-per-view buys and the money is spread out amongst all the fighters."