Dana White News
Dana White reacts to Mike Tyson's comeback plans
Tom Taylor - May 15, 2020
UFC President Dana White is begging Mike Tyson to reconsider his plans to return to the boxing ring at 53 years old. Tyson, who is one of the greatest boxers in heavyweight history, recently laid out plans to return to the ring for a handful of exhibition matches. While Tyson has shared some training footage that has left jaws on the floor, White isn’t sold on his comeback plans. In fact, the UFC boss is imploring him to reconsider those plans.
Dana White says he doesn't "give a f*ck" about coronavirus protocol criticism
Adam Martin - May 14, 2020
UFC president Dana White said he doesn’t “give a f*ck” about the criticism of the UFC’s coronavirus protocol from the New York Times. The NYT obtained the coronavirus protocol that was supposed to be upheld by everyone connected to the UFC Jacksonville events, but not everything was. For example, White was supposed to wear a mask at all times and he didn’t. As well, post-fight interviews in the Octagon at UFC 249 were supposed to be conducted at a distance, but UFC commentator Joe Rogan was close to the fighters when he conducted them.
Dana White reacts to Glover Teixeira vs. Anthony Smith beatdown
Tom Taylor - May 14, 2020
UFC President Dana White has shared his thoughts on the violent beatdown Glover Teixeira unleashed on Anthony Smith in Wednesday’s UFC Jacksonville main event. Teixeira brutalized Smith for the majority fight, causing a litany of injuries in the process — including a fractured orbital and multiple broken teeth. In the eyes of many fans, this lopsided fight went on for much longer than it should have, with referee Jason Herzog and Smith’s corner catching flack for their reluctance to stop the fight and spare the former light heavyweight title challenger from additional punishment.
Dana White says UFC will spend around $150,000 on COVID-19 tests
Adam Martin - May 13, 2020
UFC president Dana White says his promotion will spend around $150,000 on COVID-19 tests for the UFC Jacksonville series. White has been adamant for the last two months that the UFC’s show would go on despite the coronavirus pandemic affecting every sports league around the world. After the original UFC 249 card was canceled, White was able to find a home for the Octagon in Jacksonville, Florida, and host the new UFC 249 card there. Following a successful PPV event for the company, two more Fight Night cards will take place in Jacksonville this week.
Dana White wants Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Justin Gaethje on UFC Fight Island
Cole Shelton - May 12, 2020
Dana White is hoping Khabib Nurmagomedov can defend his belt against Justin Gaethje on Fight Island this summer. This past weekend, Gaethje TKO’d Tony Ferguson in the fifth round to win the interim lightweight title. It was a phenomenal performance which has setup the ‘Highlight’ for a title unification bout with Nurmagomedov. That contest will take place on Fight Island, according to Dana White.
Dana White trashes Showtime's Stephen Espinoza over UFC 249 criticism
Harry Kettle - May 11, 2020
UFC president Dana White has lashed out at Stephen Espinoza regarding his comments about the controversial UFC 249 event this past weekend. Espinoza made some noise in the lead-up to UFC 249 when he alleged that fighters on the card had to sign a document that claimed they would lose their purse if they spoke negatively of the UFC’s measures in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dana White reacts to Conor McGregor telling Nate Diaz to "sign the contract"
Tom Taylor - May 11, 2020
UFC President Dana White says there are no plans on the table for a trilogy fight between former two-division champ Conor McGregor and his long-time rival Nate Diaz. McGregor and Diaz are tied 1-1 across two fights, both of which occurred in 2016. Diaz won the first fight, springing the upset with a submission win. McGregor evened the score in the rematch, defeating Diaz by majority decision. Ever since, fans have been dying to see the pair meet in a tie-breaking trilogy fight.
Dana White says Uriah Hall and Ronaldo Souza will be paid following canceled UFC 249 fight
Adam Martin - May 10, 2020
UFC president Dana White says that Uriah Hall and Ronaldo Souza will be paid after their fight at UFC 249 was canceled at the last minute. After Hall and Souza both successfully made weight for the event, the UFC announced late Friday night that Souza had tested positive for COVID-19 and he was immediately pulled from the card. Souza and his two cornermen all tested positive for the coronavirus and the UFC’s testing procedures were able to catch their positive tests before the event took place, though the fact Souza was present at the weigh-ins is controversial.
Dana White reacts to Justin Gaethje defeating Tony Ferguson at UFC 249
Chris Taylor - May 9, 2020
Dana White was on hand to witness tonight’s epic UFC 249 main event title fight between lightweight standouts Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje. Ferguson and Gaethje squared off for the promotions interim lightweight title in tonight’s pay-per-view event headliner in Jacksonville, Florida.
Conor McGregor "doesn’t like the idea of fighting without a crowd" according to Dana White
Cole Shelton - May 8, 2020
Conor McGregor doesn’t appear to be too interested in fighting without a crowd. McGregor has been adamant of having three fights in 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic that may not happen. Although the Irishman has hinted at a summertime return, according to UFC president, Dana White, the former champ-champ doesn’t like the idea of competing without a crowd but would understand if that’s what he had to do.
Dana White guarantees excitement in Ferguson vs. Gaethje fight
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020
UFC President Dana White is guaranteeing excitement when Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje step into the cage together in the UFC 249 main event. Speaking on ESPN’s Get Up! this morning, White claimed that, while he’s generally reluctant to ever promise excitement from a particular matchup, he’s absolutely confident he can do so with respect to Ferguson vs. Gaethje.
Dana White: "I take responsibility" for Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrawing from UFC 249
Tom Taylor - May 8, 2020
Dana White has taken responsibility—at least in part—for Khabib Nurmagomedov withdrawing from UFC 249. Nurmagomedov, the undisputed UFC lightweight champ, was originally expected to defend his title against Tony Ferguson on April 18. Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov ultimately wound up getting stuck in his native Russia due to travel restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. The UFC then called upon Justin Gaethje to step in against Ferguson in an interim title fight, which will go down in a rescheduled UFC 249 card on May 9.
Dana White: Jon Jones will not be punished by UFC after recent arrest
Tom Taylor - May 7, 2020
According to UFC President Dana White, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will not receive any form of punishment from the UFC after being arrested in Albuquerque, New Mexico earlier this year. Jon Jones was arrested in late March and charged with aggravated DWI, negligent use of a firearm, and possession of an open container. Despite the fact this was not his first run-in with the law, the light heavyweight champion was able to avoid jail time.
Dana White: Stipe Miocic could "possibly" be stripped if he doesn't defend title
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
UFC President Dana White says it’s possible UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic will be stripped of his title if he doesn’t defend it in a timely manner. Miocic has long been linked to a tie-breaking trilogy fight with fellow heavyweight legend Daniel Cormier. That being said, Miocic moonlights as a firefighter, and is focused on his duties as a first-responder during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. He doesn’t intend to rematch Cormier until the pandemic is under control and he’s able to undertake a complete training camp.
Dana White confirms return of The Ultimate Fighter, names possibilities for TUF coaches
Adam Martin - May 6, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the return of The Ultimate Fighter is in the works and named a number of potential coaching pairs for the next TUF. White recently dropped a bombshell during a Reddit AMA when he said the UFC was working on the potential return of TUF. Many figured the show would be dead due to the emergence of the Contender Series, and so it was surprising when White said that TUF would be returning “soon.”
Report: "No real talks" underway for Conor McGregor fight
Tom Taylor - May 6, 2020
It sounds like we can pump the brakes on talk of an imminent Conor McGregor comeback. UFC president Dana White recently claimed that McGregor is ready to return to the Octagon.
Dana White disputes Stipe Miocic’s claim that “fighting will be there forever”
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2020
Dana White doesn’t agree with Stipe Miocic that fighting will last forever after the heavyweight champion says he won’t fight during the pandemic. Daniel Cormier has been clamoring for the trilogy to happen against Miocic for weeks now. Yet, Miocic, who’s also a part-time firefighter, says he’s focused on helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic. But, for White, he’d rather see the heavyweight champ fight and do so often.
Dana White promises safety will be a priority at UFC 249: "I don't wanna die"
Tom Taylor - May 5, 2020
The UFC will return to our screens with UFC 249 this Saturday, and UFC President Dana White promises safety is going to be a priority. White was asked about the precautions he’s taking for this event in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic during an interview with Sports Illustrated.