Dana White News
Dana White: Usman "terrorizing me" for BMF belt, but it won't be on the line at UFC 251
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
UFC President Dana White says there will only be one title on the line when Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal collide in the UFC 251 main event. Masvidal is set to challenge Usman for the undisputed welterweight title in the headliner of the card, which will emanate from Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. The winner of the bout will leave the island with the welterweight title in their luggage.
Dana White calls Jorge Masvidal "absolutely brilliant" for sliding into UFC 251 main event
Adam Martin - July 7, 2020
UFC president Dana White called welterweight superstar Jorge Masvidal “absolutely brilliant” for sliding into the UFC 251 main event against Kamaru Usman. Usman was supposed to put the UFC welterweight title on the line against No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns, but when Burns tested positive for COVID-19 and fell off the card, Masvidal put his hand up and said he wanted to take the fight. The UFC spent all weekend getting the Usman vs. Masvidal fight done, and once the fighters tested negative for the coronavirus, the promotion officially announced the new main event of UFC 251.
Dana White confirms Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal, shares hype video with fans
Adam Martin - July 5, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the reported bout between UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and top contender Jorge Masvidal is a go. After testing positive for COVID-19, No. 1 contender Gilbert Burns was forced off of UFC 251 late Friday night, leaving Usman temporarily without an opponent. But the UFC was able to work quickly all weekend and in the end, the UFC was able to strike a deal between Usman and Masvidal to headline the UFC 251 card. The bout will take place next Saturday on Fight Island pending negative tests from the fighters and their teams for COVID-19.
VIDEO | Dana White shares first look at UFC Fight Island
Tom Taylor - June 30, 2020
UFC President Dana White has given fight fans their first real look at the UFC’s much discussed Fight Island, located on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. White shared this preview, which showcase the COVID-19 testing facilities and fight venue being built on the island, on Twitter on Tuesday morning. See it below:
Jorge Masvidal claims the UFC - Reebok deal is "gone", wants fighters to have a say in the next partnership
Chris Taylor - June 27, 2020
Jorge Masvidal wants fighters to have a say in the next UFC outfitting partnership now that the Reebok deal is apparently “gone”. Last week, UFC President Dana White suggested the UFC – Reebok deal was nearing its conclusion.
Curtis Blaydes says there are three reasons Dana White doesn't like him, pushes for UFC fighters to unionize
Adam Martin - June 26, 2020
UFC heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes says there are three reasons UFC president Dana White doesn’t like him, and has pushed for UFC fighters to unionize. Blaydes was heavily criticized by White after winning a unanimous decision over Alexander Volkov at UFC on ESPN 11. Although Blaydes got his hand raised, the fight was mostly a wrestling match with Blaydes taking his opponent to the mat, which led to some fans calling it a boring fight and White wasn’t impressed. Not only that, but Blaydes was vocal about fighter pay issues during fight week, and White wasn’t a fan of some of his comments, going so far as to say that Blaydes “looked stupid.”
Dana White previews the sleeper fights on UFC on ESPN 12
Tom Taylor - June 26, 2020
UFC President Dana White has previewed some of the under-the-radar fights on the UFC on ESPN 12 card, which goes down on Saturday night. UFC on ESPN 12 will be headlined by a clash of lightweight contenders, as the No. 3 ranked Dustin Poirier looks to rebound from a failed title bid against Khabib Nurmagomedov by defeating streaking Kiwi contender Dan Hooker. It will be co-headlined by a fun welterweight scrap between Mickey Gall and “Platinum” Mike Perry.
Cornerman's positive COVID-19 test forces late changes to UFC on ESPN 12
Natasha Hooper - June 26, 2020
A positive COVID-19 test has caused a last-minute change to the UFC on ESPN 12 lineup. Ramiz Brahimaj has been forced to withdraw from his promotional debut on this weekend’s fight card after his cornerman tested positive for COVID-19. The welterweight (8-2) has been fighting for LFA, and was ready to make his transition to the UFC against Takashi Sato at UFC on ESPN 12 on Saturday night. However, on Thursday evening, it was announced that Brahimaj was forced to withdraw from the card due to the risk of infection.
Jorge Masvidal responds to Dana White: "We don't see eye-to-eye on anything”
Cole Shelton - June 24, 2020
Jorge Masvidal has issued a response to Dana White after the UFC president claimed MMA is not a career. With fighters like Masvidal and Jon Jones saying they will sit out due to fighter pay, White recently stated that being in the UFC is not a career. Instead, it is an opportunity and fighters need to take every opportunity they can get.
Dana White says Anthony Johnson 'sort of disappeared' following initial return plans
Fernando Quiles Jr. - June 22, 2020
If you’re looking forward to the return of Anthony Johnson, Dana White’s update isn’t so encouraging. Back in the summer of 2019, it was revealed that “Rumble” planned to make a comeback in the UFC heavyweight division. “Rumble” was shooting for a date in March but we’re now in mid-2020 and Johnson still hasn’t stepped back inside the Octagon.
Video | Dana White releases epic preview for UFC 251 on Fight Island
Natasha Hooper - June 22, 2020
UFC President Dana White has revealed an epic trailer for the eagerly anticipated UFC 251 card on Fight Island. So PUMPED for fight island!!!! #yasisland #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/u7psP0DlV7
Dana White responds to Henry Cejudo's calls for featherweight title shot
Tom Taylor - June 22, 2020
Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo has recently been calling for a featherweight title shot. UFC President Dana White isn’t interested. Cejudo, who previously held the UFC bantamweight and featherweight straps, retired last month after a TKO victory over Dominick Cruz.
Dana White was not overly impressed by Curtis Blaydes' performance against Alexander Volkov
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2020
UFC president Dana White criticized heavyweight contender Curtis Blaydes for his performance during his victory over Alexander Volkov at UFC on ESPN 11. Blaydes was able to win a unanimous decision with scores of 49-46, 48-47 and 48-46 over Volkov as he used his wrestling to take his opponent down at will and control him on the mat. However, Blaydes was not able to get the finish despite having so much top control time on the mat, and not only that but he looked exhausted in the last two rounds. Despite some scares late in the fight, he was still able to get his hand raised.
Dana White confirms Adesanya vs. Costa and Miocic vs. Cormier 3: “The fights we have lined up for summer are just awesome!”
Adam D Martin - June 21, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed Stipe Miocic vs. Daniel Cormier 3 as well as a middleweight title fight between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Costa. The UFC has a number of high-profile fights lined up this summer, including Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns headlining UFC 251 on Fight Island in July, plus a really exciting middleweight fight between rivals Darren Till and Robert Whittaker planned for later this summer. The UFC intends on holding four shows at Fight Island in July before heading back to the UFC Apex in its home base of Las Vegas, Nevada, in August.
Dana White reacts to Max Rohskopf's decision to stop fighting in UFC debut
Chris Taylor - June 20, 2020
UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on Max Rohskopf’s decision to stop fighting at UFC on ESPN 11. The lightweight prospect, Rohskopf (5-1 MMA) was making his Octagon debut against Austin Hubbard on just ten days notice at tonight’s event.
Dana White has a message for UFC athletes: "This is not a career. This is an opportunity."
Chris Taylor - June 20, 2020
UFC President Dana White does not understand why athletes competing for the Ultimate Fighting Championship act as if they have a career job. White spoke on the subject yesterday suggesting that fighters currently competing for the UFC should look at their job an opportunity, but not as a career.
Dana White discusses what Amanda Nunes retiring would mean for featherweight division
Tom Taylor - June 19, 2020
UFC President Dana White doubts the women’s featherweight division would survive if it reigning champion Amanda Nunes retires. Nunes, who also holds the UFC women’s bantamweight belt, is widely regarded as the best female fighter of all time. Shortly after her recent title defense against Felicia Spencer, she divulged that she’s considering retirement.
San Antonio shooting suspect arrested, not affiliated with the UFC
Natasha Hooper - June 19, 2020
Law enforcement has arrested a suspect in relation to a San Antonio shooting on June 12, 2020. The alleged gunman injured eight people, five women and three men between the ages of 23 and 41. He also claimed to be a UFC fighter, but it has been confirmed that he is not, in fact, affiliated with the promotion. According to a report by the San Antonio Police Department, Jenelius Crew, 37, was taken into custody on June 18. Homicide detectives collected evidence through the course of the investigation which lead them to gather more information on the suspect. The police then obtained eight Aggravated Assault/Deadly Weapon arrest warrants for Crew.