by Terry Lidral
Cover photo by Susan Hanrahan
PBR Bucking Bull Twisted Steel has an attitude to be reckoned with. Owned by UFC Ceo Dana White, this bull’s bold arrogant personality fits right into the UFC image.
Twisted Steel has had his own Youtube channel where fans could check in on their favorite bull 24/7.
“The first time I saw that bull I was drawn to his eyes,” said Dennis Davis, the stock contractor who cares for and hauls White’s bull to PBR events. “There are black rings that circle his eyes. He’s got a white speckled hide so those dark eyes jump right out at you. And he’s got a real ominous stare.”
That stare is a prominent part of Twisted Steel’s character. He’s a bull who is ever vigilant of his surroundings.
“This bull always has his eyes on you. He’s very confident and aware and he watches people like a hawk,” Davis said of the bull who does not care to form a bond with people. “He’s not a friendly bucking bull. You can’t pet him or hang out with him in his pen. He’s very territorial.”
Twisted Steel is known for his orneriness and anyone coming into his space is fair game. At an event in bull housing, Davis was being observed by a news crew as he put the bull in the exercise pen.
Because of the observers, Davis decided to walk through the pen instead of taking his usual safe roundabout route. Twisted Steel didn’t like Davis in HIS territory. So, he started throwing up dirt and making threats, eventually forcing Davis to run for safety and climb the fence with the news cameras rolling.
Davis first met Twisted Steel in 2023 when Dana White decided he wanted to own a bucking bull that could make the PBR Unleash the Beast bull roster. After an extensive search, Davis felt that he had found the right bull for White’s PBR ambitions.
“Heath Scruggs of Scruggs Ranch sent a video of Twisted Steel and I liked what I saw. I showed the video to Dana. Dana fell in love with the bull and said, ‘Let’s get him,’” Davis told about how Twisted Steel came into the care of Dennis Davis Bucking Bulls. “The bull at 6 years old had had 11 successful outs including the PBR so I felt confident he would have a place on the PBR UTB tour.”
Check out Twisted Steel’s PBR stats here: https://azdev.pbr.com/athletes/bulls/profile/16216675/danawhitestwistedsteel
Davis was right about Twisted Steel’s ability to be successful in the PBR UTB tour. In 2023, the bull had 18 outs, with 11 of those on the UTB. He was ridden only once and put up an average bull score of 42.98. And 2024 has been even better. His 8 outs have been in the PBR UTB series with only 1 ride and an average bull score of 43.24.
Twisted Steel was a late starter in the bucking bull game. He had a short stint at the futurity level but it wasn’t anything exciting. He came on late and proved himself as a rider bull.
On a multiple day road trip, Twisted Steel doesn’t like to stop over for the night. Being away from home and not being at a performance venue puts him in a bad mood.
“It’s not easy to get Twisted Steel settled for the night when we stop on the road on the way to an event. He can come unglued,” Davis told us. “He’ll run at me and dig in the dirt. He reminds me of a little kid.”
Once he’s at the event, Twisted Steel is ready to go. He’s a smart bull and he understands how to play the game.
“Twisted Steel is a bull that loves his job,” Davis said of the bull who has become a favorite of PBR fans. “He gets real amped up when we go to an event. He’s apt to lose 100 pounds on the road because he’s so high energy in the competition environment. Just like me,” Davis added with a laugh. “I don’t know if he feeds off my excitement or if I get it from him.”
“He knows the cowboys’ game and he’s going to try them,” said Davis. “He’ll hit the front of the chute and come off all fours, bringing the cowboy with him. But cowboys can get out on him and he doesn’t draw rerides.”
“When a rider bucks off, Twisted Steel will have a look, take a victory lap and then go on out. He’s a very regal bull. There’s a satisfied arrogance about him as he struts around the arena with his tail curled and his head held up high,” Davis went on to say.
Twisted Steel gets along well with other bulls. He’s not bothered by their presence.
“This bull has no problem with other bulls. He doesn’t react to new bulls. In the pens, he’s very confident and aware. He’ll chew his cud and watch the other bulls go by. But he’s always kept by himself, at home and away, to prevent the potential injuries that can happen when bulls are put together,” explained Davis.
At home, Twisted Steel rules the ranch. He’s cool and collected until someone gets too close and then he gives notice.
“Twisted Steel is always alert. He’ll be standing around being laid back until someone gets close. Then he’ll snort and give you an alert warning. He lets you know that it is HIS place and that he is The Man,” Davis said with a laugh. “We keep him in a bigger trap and he comes and goes as he wants to. He loves to dig and he loves mud. He’ll dig with his horns and they’ll get covered in mud and look like baseball bats. I always have to clean him up before we go to an event.”
Twisted Steel is a celebrity, not only in the PBR UTB arena, but at the UFC headquarters as well. Dana White created a special day for his employees to meet the PBR superstar. On Take Your Bull to Work Day, Twisted Steel arrived at the UFC headquarter offices to a special welcome.
“Twisted Steel loved being a celebrity,” said Davis of the bull’s reaction to being introduced to a whole group of new people. “He very calmly walked off the trailer into the PBR pens that had been set up just for him. He was so nonchalant and he enjoyed being the center of attention.”
Because Twisted Steel was scheduled to match up with Cowboy Cerrone at the PBR UTB Finals, White had set up a weigh-in for the 2 competitors complete with scales.
“Twisted Steel puffed his chest out and stepped right up onto the scales. He was showing off to the crowd. It was a special occasion and he knew it,” Davis told of the remarkable experience.
Although the match with Cowboy Cerrone was postponed due to an injury to the fighter’s bicep, it is planned to set a new date for the celebrity match-up.
As for Twisted Steel, he’s on his way to the 2024 PBR UTB Finals where he’ll rule his surroundings and test cowboys in the chute just like he always does.
Check out more great PBR stars here: https://buckingstocktalk.com/topics/talkin-bulls/
Author: Terry Lidral
Terry Lidral is a western writer/journalist who lives in Idaho. She is the publisher and editor of the online magazine Bucking Stock Talk and the online magazine Western Living Journal. Her publishing credits include Storyteller for Real American Cowboy Magazine, writing feature articles for Humps N Horns Magazine as well as a wide variety of national and international web sites, historical magazines and news publications. She is known for her "up close and personal" profiles of celebrities and industry moguls such as NPR's Tom Bodett; PBR's Wiley Petersen and D.H. Page, PRCA's Sammy Andrews, Cindy Rosser and Julio Moreno to name a few. She has been applauded for her way of making a personal connection between her readers and her subjects. She indulges in her love of rodeo by serving as an associate board member for the Caldwell Night Rodeo. She is also an accomplished trainer and handler in dog agility. Her shelties Amelie and Milo are titled in NADAC, USDAA and AKC.
