Who showed up when Dana White walked into Gekkō? On Friday, April 7, 2023, the UFC president pulled up to the Japanese-inspired steakhouse in Miami's Brickell neighborhood alongside a guest list mixing fight sports, politics, and entertainment.
The dinner drew Georges St-Pierre, the retired UFC Hall of Famer and former multi-division champion. Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby was in the room. Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, comedian Kyle Forgeard, restaurateur Dave Grutman, and a handful of music and sports executives rounded out the table, per worldredeye.com.
Quick take
- Dana White, president of the UFC, dined at Gekkō in Miami on Friday, April 7, 2023.
- Georges St-Pierre, a retired UFC Hall of Famer, was among the guests.
- Miami Mayor Francis Suarez attended.
- Las Vegas Raiders pass rusher Maxx Crosby was in attendance.
- Comedian Kyle Forgeard and Dave Grutman hosted or co-hosted the evening.
What kind of crowd was this?
Think less "random Friday dinner" and more "Miami power mixer." White runs the world's largest MMA promotion. St-Pierre remains one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history. Crosby is a young NFL star who has publicly discussed training in combat sports. Suarez leads a city positioning itself as a hub for tech and nightlife. Put them at a single table, and you get a photo that news desks want to run.
Grutman operates Gekkō, which has become a regular stop for celebrities passing through South Florida. Forgeard, part of the Nelk Boys crew, brought a social-media-heavy edge. SiriusXM's Scott Greenstein and the Shahidi brothers added music-industry flavor. It reads like a checklist of who-is-who in 2023 Miami.
Our analysis
Why does this dinner register beyond a celebrity item? A few reasons worth chewing on.
Gekkō's power-restaurant status.** The venue has built a reputation as a place where decisions get made and relationships get cemented over tableside presentations. Pulling White plus a sitting mayor keeps that credibility intact. For nightlife enthusiasts, this signals the venue sits in serious company—not just another Brickell restaurant with good lighting.
The UFC connection.** St-Pierre retired from active competition years ago, yet he remains close to the company's president. That suggests White is cultivating relationships with legacy fighters while the promotion chases larger media rights deals. Whether St-Pierre takes on a formal ambassador role—or simply stays in White's orbit for future projects—bears watching.
Crosby's presence signals a trend.** NFL players crossing into combat sports training has become increasingly common. Miami has quietly hosted this crossover for years, and Crosby's appearance at a UFC-heavy dinner reinforces the overlap. The question for fight fans: does this translate to actual crossover events, or does it stay in the training-room realm?
Suarez's brand of nightlife diplomacy.** The mayor has made showing up at high-profile venues part of his public persona. Whether this is genuine hospitality or calculated positioning, it tells you which rooms currently draw decision-makers—not just crowds chasing bottle service.
Planning a Miami night out?
If you want a shot at the same orbit, book Gekkō for a late dinner on a Friday or Saturday. Dress accordingly, confirm your reservation, and be prepared for a scene. If the restaurant is full, nearby Komodo and Papi Steak—Grutman-adjacent venues—are reliable fallbacks. For the club route afterward, LIV attracts overlapping crowds of athletes and entertainers.
Bottom line
Watch this space. UFC executives have become regulars in South Florida, and Gekkō dinners have a habit of producing photo-ops that hint at bigger things. If you're heading to Miami soon, expect the venue to stay packed—and keep an eye on whatever St-Pierre posts next. The retired champion rarely appears without a reason.
Key takeaways
- Gekkō has established itself as a celebrity magnet in Brickell, drawing athletes, executives, and politicians.
- White's continued Miami presence signals the city matters on his non-Las Vegas calendar.
- For nightlife hunters, Gekkō plus LIV or Komodo offers a solid Friday-night combination.
- Crosby's attendance reinforces the growing overlap between NFL training culture and MMA.
Frequently asked questions
When did Dana White dine at Gekkō?
The dinner took place on the evening of Friday, April 7, 2023, according to worldredeye.com.
Who else was at the dinner?
Georges St-Pierre, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, Maxx Crosby, Kyle Forgeard, Dave Grutman, and several music and sports executives were reportedly in attendance.
Is Gekkō a club or a restaurant?
Gekkō is a Japanese-inspired steakhouse in Miami's Brickell neighborhood, operated by Dave Grutman, known for its celebrity crowd and late-night scene.
Why would UFC's president be in Miami?
White frequently travels for business and personal events, and Miami has become a regular stop for high-profile entertainment and sports figures.
Is Maxx Crosby connected to MMA?
Crosby is an NFL defensive end for the Las Vegas Raiders who has publicly trained in combat sports, which aligns with the fight-sports atmosphere of the evening.
Source: worldredeye.com
