Dana White News
Diego Sanchez following split with Joshua Fabia: "Sometimes you have to look hard in the mirror to see yourself clearly"
Christopher Taylor - May 20, 2021
It sounds like former TUF 1 winner Diego Sanchez did a lot of soul searching following his recent release from the UFC. Sanchez (30-13 MMA) was expected to have his final fight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship earlier this month at UFC Vegas 26 against fellow veteran Donald Cerrone. However, that fight was scrapped just ten days prior to the event after Diego’s coach and mentor Joshua Fabia had a confrontation with promotional officials. The incident also resulted in Diego Sanchez’s release from the organization.
Dana White comments after Derrick Lewis stops attempted carjacking: "He slammed him on his head and knocked him out"
Adam Martin - May 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White commented after Derrick Lewis stopped an attempted carjacking, saying Lewis slammed the thief down and KOed him. Lewis shared on social media this week the news that he had stopped a would-be thief from breaking into his car with a screwdriver. Appearing on “Big Night Breaks” podcast (h/t MMA Crazy), White reacted to Lewis stopping the burglar from breaking into his car.
Dana White says the UFC will be "ready" for Kayla Harrison when her PFL contract is up
Adam D Martin - May 20, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that the UFC will be “ready” for lightweight standout Kayla Harrison when her PFL contract is officially up. Harrison is currently in the PFL, where she is the defending lightweight champion. She is part of the promotion’s third season and is already well on her way to winning another $1 million dollars after smashing Mariana Morais in her first outing this year. Harrison’s contract is up later this year and there have been whispers that she could test free agency once that happens. It’s possible that Bellator could be interested in having her fight Cris Cyborg, but Harrison has made it clear that her goal is to ultimately join the UFC roster.
Henry Cejudo offers to help Dana White, open to comeback fights with 3 current UFC champions
Harry Kettle - May 19, 2021
Former two-weight world champion Henry Cejudo has offered to come out of retirement for a fight against one of three UFC title holders. Cejudo, also known as “Triple C”, has spent the last few years building a real platform for himself as he continues to spread his name and brand out there in the mainstream media.
Dana White signs two new fighters to the UFC following Fury FC 46 event in Houston
Adam D Martin - May 18, 2021
UFC president Dana White signed two new fighters to the UFC following the Fury FC 46 event in Houston that took place on Sunday evening. White was in Houston for UFC 262 and the next night he was in attendance at Fury FC 46: Lookin’ For a Fight where he was scouting future UFC talent. According to Nolan King of MMAjunkie.com, the UFC leader found several fighters that he was interested in. In fact, White signed two of the event’s winners and invited another to the Contender Series.
Jon Jones believes there are “huge things” in his future despite Dana White’s recent comments
Adam D Martin - May 17, 2021
UFC superstar Jon Jones believes that there are still “huge things” in his future despite UFC president Dana White’s recent comments. Jones has been involved in very public contract negotiations over a potential superfight against UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Recently, White said that the UFC is moving on and giving the title shot to Derrick Lewis instead. The UFC has apparently approached Jones about the idea of fighting former champion Stipe Miocic, but he is uninterested in that fight, too. That led to White making comments following UFC 262 which suggested that the UFC doesn’t care whether or not Jones ever fights again.
Dana White reacts after Las Vegas goes Mask Off and Lifts Social Distancing Rules, commends Florida and Texas for “leading the way”
Adam D Martin - May 17, 2021
Dana White reacted after Las Vegas goes mask off and life social distancing Rules, commending Florida and Texas for “leading the way.” The UFC president is a Las Vegas resident and he’s excited to get back home where he doesn’t have to wear a mask now and where social-distancing rules will be lifted. Taking to his social media on Sunday evening, White reacted to Las Vegas lifting its rules, while commending the states of Florida and Texas for leading the way about these changes.
Dana White says "nobody is going to force Jon Jones to fight" in the UFC again
Adam Martin - May 16, 2021
Speaking to the media following UFC 262, president Dana White said that “nobody is going to force Jon Jones to fight” in the Octagon again. White and Jones have been involved in very public contract negotiations for a potential showdown with UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou. Jones and Ngannou both want the fight, but Jones wants more than the promotion’s offer of $10 million, with suggestions that he could want $30 million for the fight. With White and the UFC not budging on their offer, the promotion went ahead and booked Ngannou against No. 1 contender Derrick Lewis. It leaves Jones on the sidelines once again, and while he could potentially fight the winner of Ngannou vs. Lewis 2, that’s not set in stone, either.
Charles Oliveira not closing the door on featherweight: "If Dana White gave me the opportunity to go back down to featherweight and win, I'd take it"
Chris Taylor - May 15, 2021
Charles Oliveira is not closing the door on a return to featherweight after defeating Michael Chandler for the lightweight title at tonight’s UFC 262 event. Oliveira (31-8 MMA) and Chandler (22-6 MMA) squared off for the promotions vacant lightweight title this evening in Houston.
Dana White reacts after Tony Ferguson suffers his third consecutive loss at UFC 262
Christopher Taylor - May 15, 2021
Dana White was on hand to witness Tony Ferguson suffer his third consecutive loss in tonight’s UFC 262 co-main event against Beneil Dariush. Ferguson (25-6 MMA), a former UFC interim lightweight champion, had suffered losses to Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliveira in his most previous efforts. Despite his recent rough stretch, ‘El Cucuy’ was confident that he would be able to get back to his winning ways this evening in Houston.
Dana White responds after Tony Ferguson suggests Michael Chandler received "Dana White privilege" with UFC 262 title shot
Chris Taylor - May 15, 2021
Dana White has responded after Tony Ferguson insinuated that Michael Chandler received his UFC 262 title shot due to “Dana White privilege”. During Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, ‘El Cucuy’ took aim at Chandler by suggesting the former Bellator champ had “dodged him” and was then handed a title shot.
Dana White and the UFC block Georges St-Pierre from boxing Oscar De La Hoya
Chris Taylor - May 15, 2021
Dana White and the UFC prevented a boxing match between Georges St-Pierre and Oscar De La Hoya from coming to fruition according to Triller boss Ryan Kavanaugh. St-Pierre (26-2 MMA) had retired from mixed martial arts shortly after dethroning Michael Bisping for the promotions middleweight title in November of 2017. Despite having not competed in over three and half years, ‘GSP’ still needs permission from the UFC to fight with other promotions.
Kayla Harrison reacts after Dana White says she's not ready for the UFC: "I'm ready to face the best in the world"
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
PFL women’s lightweight star Kayla Harrison reacted to the comments from UFC president Dana White that she’s not ready to fight in the UFC. Harrison is one of the most dominant female fighters in MMA right now as she’s been absolutely smoking the competition in PFL over the last three years, not to mention picking up a win in Invicta FC as well. There are many fans who want to see Harrison bring her talents to the UFC as there are many who believe she could be one of the only fighters out there to give a challenge to UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes. However, at this point, Harrison is still under contract with PFL and not a part of the UFC.
Jake Paul slams Dana White over his boxing career: “In my 15 minutes of fame I’ve done more in boxing than you have your whole life”
Harry Kettle - May 12, 2021
YouTuber turned pro boxer Jake Paul has taken a shot at UFC president Dana White over his time in the world of boxing. Over the course of the last few weeks, White has been drawn into the Jake Paul circus as a result of fans and media members peppering him with questions on the subject. For the most part, he’s decided to take the high road, but that hasn’t prevented him from throwing a few shots here and there.
Dana White not convinced Kayla Harrison is ready for the UFC yet
Adam D Martin - May 12, 2021
UFC president Dana White says he is not convinced that PFL star Kayla Harrison is ready to fight in the world’s leading promotion just yet. Harrison, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in judo, made her MMA debut in 2018 for PFL and has since racked up a perfect 9-0 record in MMA while fighting for both PFL and in Invicta FC. She has been absolutely destroying everyone in her path and no one has been even somewhat competitive with her. In her most recent outing, Harrison defeated Mariana Morais via first-round TKO at PFL 3 in a lightweight regular season bout. It was yet another easy win for Harrison and another fight where she was a massive betting favorite. It’s led to fans hoping that she can finally join the UFC and fight some tougher competition.
Jon Jones is looking like an absolute behemoth in latest training photos
Christopher Taylor - May 11, 2021
Jon Jones may not have a fight booked for his heavyweight debut, but that hasn’t stopped him from making huge leaps in his physical transformation. It was originally thought that ‘Bones’ would make his heavyweight debut against the winner of March’s Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou rematch at UFC 260. However, after ‘The Predator’ dethroned the Cleveland native with a second round knockout, negotiations between Jon Jones and UFC officials quickly went south.
Dana White says he doesn't see the fire in Nick Diaz: "I just question how bad he really wants to fight"
Adam D Martin - May 11, 2021
UFC president Dana White says that he doesn’t see that fire in Nick Diaz and questioned how badly he really wants to fight again. Diaz was a guest at UFC 261 last month and reportedly had a meeting with White about a possible comeback. Diaz hasn’t fought since January 2015 when he fought Anderson Silva to a No Contest but he has been talking about a comeback for a few years now. With his brother Nate Diaz returning to the Octagon next month at UFC 263, the older Diaz brother is also hoping to make his return to the cage this year and he told White just as much.
Dana White confirms Derrick Lewis is next for Francis Ngannou, provides update on Jon Jones
Christopher Taylor - May 10, 2021
UFC President Dana White confirmed on Monday that a rematch with Derrick Lewis will be next for Francis Ngannnou, this while providing an update on Jon Jones. Prior to March’s UFC 260 event, it was thought that the winner of Miocic vs. Ngannou 2 would be fighting ‘Bones’ in their next outing. However, shortly after ‘The Predator’ dethroned Stipe with a second round knockout, negotiations between Jones and the UFC quickly went south.