Dana White News
Venum to replace Reebok as official UFC outfitting partner, fighters to earn more
Tom Taylor - July 10, 2020
The UFC has selected apparel company Venum to replace Reebok as its new official athlete outfitting partner. The UFC’s deal with Reebok began in 2015, and will conclude in 2021. As the end of this deal approached, there was widespread speculation as to which company would replace Reebok as the UFC’s now outfitting partner.
Dana White previews two under-the-radar fights at UFC 251
Adam Martin - July 9, 2020
UFC president Dana White previewed two under-the-radar fights on this Saturday night’s stacked UFC 251 event in a new video blog. Most fans are looking forward to the three title fights at the top of the UFC 251 card: Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal for the UFC welterweight title; Alexander Volkanovski vs. Max Holloway in a rematch for the UFC featherweight title; and Petr Yan vs. Jose Aldo for the vacant UFC bantamweight title. Those are three incredible fights so it makes sense everyone is talking about them, but what truly makes UFC 251 a special card is its depth as White and the UFC matchmaker have put together and incredibly deep lineup.
Dana White believes Conor McGregor will fight "next year"
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White believes former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor could end up fighting next year. McGregor shocked the MMA world back in June when he announced his retirement from the sport.
Dana White challenges fighter pay critics to "ask Jon Jones how much he’s getting paid"
Tom Taylor - July 9, 2020
UFC President Dana White is challenging his naysayers to ask UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones how much he’s getting paid. Over the last few week, Jones has made no secret of the fact that he doesn’t believe he’s paid enough by the UFC. He’s spoken out multiple times on social media, and also aired his displeasure with his pay on Steve-O’s “Wild Ride” podcast.
Dana White: Colby Covington was not in consideration to replace Gilbert Burns
Tom Taylor - July 7, 2020
UFC President Dana White claims Colby Covington was never in consideration to replace Gilbert Burns against Kamaru Usman in the UFC 251 main event. Until last weekend, Usman, the UFC welterweight champion, was expected to defend his title against Burns at UFC 251. However, Burns then tested positive for COVID-19, thrusting the UFC into a desperate search for a replacement challenger for Usman.
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.
Dana White shares photo of Octagon on the beach at UFC Fight Island
Chris Taylor - June 27, 2020
UFC President Dana White took to Instagram this evening where he shared a photo of the Octagon on the beach at UFC Fight Island. As seen below courtesy of MMA Journalist Chisanga Malata on Twitter, the Ultimate Fighting Championship has an awesome looking setup for their next string of events.
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.
Bas Rutten shares his Mount Rushmore of MMA, includes Conor McGregor
Chris Taylor - June 25, 2020
Former UFC champion Bas Rutten has followed in the footsteps of Dana White by revealing his selections for the current Mount Rushmore of MMA. Last week the UFC President surprised many fight fans with his four picks for the current Mount Rushmore of MMA.
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 defends Max Rohskopf’s decision to stop fighting: “Who the f**k is anybody to judge him on that?”
Natasha Hooper - June 22, 2020
UFC President Dana White has defended Max Rohskopf’s decision to give up during his debut at UFC on ESPN 11. The lightweight newcomer made his first Octagon appearance on 20 June against Austin Hubbard. The fight didn’t go according to plan for Rohskopf as he came out fast but failed to secure any submission attempts. His opponent used a barrage of strikes to push forward which resulted in Rohskopf heading back to his corner with blood streaming down his face. The 25-year old told his team he could not continue, but his chief cornerman Robert Drysdale tried to convince him otherwise. Rohskopf stuck to his guns and the referee Mark Smith ultimately waved the fight off. Austin Hubbard walked away with the second-round TKO win by retirement.
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.