Dana White News
Dana White waiting to see what Amanda Nunes wants to do before deciding fate of women's featherweight division
Drake Riggs - November 15, 2021
Dana White and the UFC introduced the 145-pound women’s featherweight division in February 2017 and there has been little to no build since. The promotion began the process of bringing in featherweights by signing the weight class’ all-time best, Cris “Cyborg” Justino. However, the future UFC titleholder would compete at 140-pound catchweight contests prior to the division’s official creation in an attempt to get her down to the 135-pound bantamweight class.
Max Holloway trolls Conor McGregor following his UFC Vegas 42 win over Yair Rodriguez
Christopher Taylor - November 13, 2021
Max Holloway decided to troll Conor McGregor in the immediate aftermath of his impressive UFC Vegas 42 victory over Yair Rodriguez. Holloway (23-6 MMA) was returning to action today for the first time since laying a beating on Calvin Kattar back in January. That win was of course preceded by back to back losses to reinging featherweight champ Alex Volkanovski.
Dana White shoots down talk of a 'Holloway vs McGregor' rematch: "To even talk about Conor is silly"
Christopher Taylor - November 13, 2021
Dana White isn’t exactly sure what will come next for UFC Vegas 42 winner Max Holloway, but it won’t be a rematch with Conor McGregor. Holloway returned to action in the headliner of today’s event in Las Vegas for a bout with perennial division contender Yair Rodriguez (13-3 MMA). The contest marked Max’s first since January, where he had earned a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Calvin Kattar.
Dana White reacts to Herb Dean's controversial stoppage at UFC Vegas 42
Christopher Taylor - November 13, 2021
Dana White shared his thoughts on Herb Dean’s controversial stoppage in today’s UFC Vegas 42 co-headliner during the post-fight presser. Saturday’s fight card was co-headlined by a heavyweight fight featuring veteran Ben Rothwell taking on Marcos Rogerio de Lima.
Diego Sanchez on Dana White’s claim that he paid a UFC prelim fighter $750k: “Lies”
Adam D Martin - November 11, 2021
Former UFC fighter Diego Sanchez commented on Dana White’s claim that he paid a UFC prelim fighter $750k, calling them “lies.” Sanchez reacted after White said in a recent interview that there is a preliminary fighter in the UFC who is making $750,000 a fight. Fans immediately began speculating who that fighter could be, and ultimately it appears to be Michael Chandler according to several reports. Although Chandler technically wasn’t on the prelims of UFC 268, he was on the undercard, which White was likely referring to when he made this comment. Either way, White’s claims that a preliminary card fighter is banking $750,000 have been scrutinized.
Carla Esparza responds after Dana White suggests the UFC has another "option" at strawweight
Christopher Taylor - November 10, 2021
Carla Esparza has responded after Dana White suggested that the UFC has another “option” for Rose Namajunas at strawweight. After Namajunas (11-4 MMA) defeated Zhang Weili (21-3 MMA) for a second time in the co-headliner of last Saturday’s UFC 268 event, many assumed that former champ Carla Esparza would be next to challenge ‘Thug Rose’.
Dana White claims a fighter competing on the UFC prelims is banking $750k
Adam D Martin - November 10, 2021
UFC president Dana White claimed in a recent interview that a fighter he has under contract competing on the UFC prelims is banking $750,000. White has been criticized by UFC fighter pay for the past number of years, and one of the biggest arguments against him is that the UFC doesn’t pay its fighters enough percentage of the overall revenue the company brings in. White has defended UFC fighter pay in the past, saying that his promotion pays more to the fighters than any other MMA promotion. Critics of that argument, meanwhile, will point out that professional boxers get paid more than many MMA fighters. But White isn’t necessarily buying that argument is true.
Jake Paul thanks 'control freak' Dana White for promoting his fights: 'You literally tee up every single fight for me perfectly'
Cole Shelton - November 8, 2021
Jake Paul knows his feud with UFC president, Dana White has only helped him. Ever since Paul has turned pro and started to call out and fight UFC fighters, White has trash-talked him. He thought Ben Askren would beat him but after Paul beat him and Tyron Woodley, the UFC boss still criticized him for not fighting real boxers.
Dana White unsure what the future holds for Frankie Edgar following his knockout loss to Marlon Vera
Harry Kettle - November 8, 2021
UFC president Dana White hasn’t ruled out the idea of Frankie Edgar returning to the Octagon after his UFC 268 defeat. As part of UFC 268’s main card, Frankie Edgar went toe to toe with Marlon Vera in what proved to be a pretty tense bantamweight affair. Edgar seemed to be faring pretty well for long spells but ultimately, it was a front kick that proved to be the difference maker as Vera walked away with the knockout win.
Dana White not ready to give Carla Esparza a title shot following UFC 268: "We have an option"
Christopher Taylor - November 7, 2021
Dana White is not ready to proclaim Carla Esparza as the next strawweight title challenger, this despite Rose Namajunas’ win at UFC 268. Esparza (18-6 MMA), the promotions former strawweight champion, is currently on a five-fight winning streak and seemingly has the best case for a title shot when compared to any of the other divisions contenders.
Dana White reveals he bet $100,000 on Canelo Alvarez to knock out Caleb Plant
Adam Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC president Dana White revealed he bet $100,000 on Canelo Alvarez to knock out Caleb Plant, winning over $41,000 when he got the job done. Alvarez fought Plant in Las Vegas on Saturday night, and on the other side of the country, UFC 268 took place in New York City. While White was busy overseeing UFC 268 and sitting cageside during the event, he also had the Alvarez vs. Plant fight on his monitor in front of his desk outside of the Octagon. The reason he was so interested in the Alvarez vs. Plant fight? While White is a massive boxing fan, it wasn’t just because he was so interested in watching the fight, but also because he had a $100,000 bet on Alvarez.
Dana White shoots down the idea of Kamaru Usman boxing Canelo Alvarez: “He don't want to fight Canelo”
Adam D Martin - November 7, 2021
UFC president Dana White shot down the idea of Kamaru Usman boxing Canelo Alvarez, saying that “he don’t want to fight Canelo.” Usman had been saying all throughout fight week that, with a win over Colby Covington in the main event of UFC 268, he wants to face the boxing pound-for-pound great Alvarez next. On Saturday night, both Usman and Alvarez competed in their respective sports. Usman defeated Covington via unanimous decision, while Alvarez defeated Caleb Plant via knockout. It’s only natural, then, that Usman will continue to chase this matchup against Alvarez, especially since both fighters just fought and don’t have their next match booked.
Dana White pumps the brakes on a Khamzat Chimaev title shot: "It’s a whole ‘nother ball game when you get into the top ten"
Chris Taylor - November 6, 2021
Dana White believes fight fans will get to see Khamzat Chimaev compete for a UFC title eventually, but it won’t be in his next fight. Chimaev (10-0 MMA) made his highly anticipated return to the Octagon at last weekend’s UFC 267 event in Abu Dhabi for a welterweight bout with Li Jingliang. The contest was Khamzat’s first since September of 2020, where he had scored a sensational 18-second knockout win over Gerald Meerschaert (see that here).
Dana White names the “four baddest women on Earth” ahead of UFC 268
Harry Kettle - November 5, 2021
UFC president Dana White has listed who he believes to be the four baddest women on Earth – within mixed martial arts. Over the course of the last few weeks there’s been a lot of debate about what it means to be elite in women’s MMA and who qualifies. In many instances, the UFC is home to the world’s greatest female fighters – but the likes of Kayla Harrison and Cris Cyborg serve as an exception to that.
Michael Chandler and Dana White seemingly dismiss the notion that Islam Makhachev could skip the line for a UFC title shot
Christopher Taylor - November 4, 2021
Dana White has seemingly dismissed the notion that Islam Makhachev could leapfrog Michael Chandler or Justin Gaethje in the UFC contender line. Makhachev (21-1 MMA) improved his current win streak to nine in a row at last weekend’s UFC 267 event, earning a dominant technical submission victory over Dan Hooker in the very first round.
Dana White on the probability of Hasbulla fighting in the UFC: "Is there more than a zero percent chance? Yes."
Christopher Taylor - November 4, 2021
Hasbulla, also known as ‘mini Khabib’, left quite the impression on Dana White after attending last weekend’s UFC 267 event in Abu Dhabi. The viral mixed martial arts sensation had sent a video to the UFC President making him aware of his planned appearance earlier in the fight week.
Dana White on what would happen if Amanda Nunes fought Kayla Harrison’s opponents: “Might be the first death in MMA”
Harry Kettle - November 3, 2021
UFC president Dana White has said the “first death in MMA” would happen if Amanda Nunes fought one of Kayla Harrison’s opponents. Harrison, who is now a two-time PFL champion, moved to 12-0 recently and captured her second consecutive title in the process. Many believe she has what it takes to kick on and eventually challenge Amanda Nunes in the UFC but as per Dana White, it doesn’t appear as if that’s going to happen anytime soon.
Dana White confirms the UFC will speak to Nate Diaz about fighting Khamzat Chimaev
Adam D Martin - November 2, 2021
UFC president Dana White confirmed that the UFC will speak to Nate Diaz about fighting emerging welterweight contender Khamzat Chimaev. Chimaev is coming off of an incredible first-round submission win over Li Jingliang at UFC 267 that improved his pro record to 10-0, including a 4-0 record in the UFC. Incredibly, Chimaev has only been hit with one significant strike through four fights in the Octagon, as he’s completely run through everyone in his path. It has been a phenomenal start to Chimaev’s UFC career, and it looks like the promotion is now considering putting him on the fast-track to superstardom by matching him up against one of the UFC’s biggest names.