Dana White News
Oddsmakers reveal most likely location for UFC 249
Natasha Hooper - March 25, 2020
Oddsmakers have released the most likely location for UFC 249. On April 18th, the eagerly anticipated matchup between Tony Ferguson vs Khabib Nurmagomedov is expected to headline the UFC 249 event. However, due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and the cancellation of multiple MMA events, the likelihood of the April show has remained up in the air.
Din Thomas defends Dana White: "I'm all for Dana making all the fights happen"
Mike Pendleton - March 25, 2020
Although he was directly affected by the UFC having to postpone recent fight cards, MMA coach Din Thomas is praising UFC President Dana White for his efforts to push forward. Thomas was supposed to be in the corner for Tyron Woodley’s scheduled fight against Leon Edwards in London, but the UFC pulled the plug on that event even after they scrambled to move locations and possibly opponents for the main event. During an interview with On The Mic podcast, Thomas defended Dana White for his urgency and push to keep the UFC events continuing on.
Dana White says the sport of boxing is a 'mess' and in 'big trouble'
Harry Kettle - March 25, 2020
UFC president Dana White believes the sport of boxing is in big trouble as the future of Zuffa Boxing remains unknown. It’s no secret that Dana White’s first love was boxing, but thankfully for mixed martial arts fans all around the world, he was able to land on his feet in the UFC, building a fantastic organization and product in the process alongside the Fertitta brothers, Lorenzo and Frank.
Dana White responds to Conor McGregor's call for a lockdown
Tom Taylor - March 25, 2020
Yesterday afternoon, former two-division UFC champ Conor McGregor made an impassioned address to Ireland’s leaders, demanding a full, mandatory lockdown of the country to combat the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. UFC President Dana White has now addressed that video. While McGregor is clearly taking the pandemic very seriously, White has caught quite a bit of criticism for his reaction to the situation. The UFC boss has fervently attempted to keep the UFC running as normal during the pandemic — despite the obvious risks of doing so — and has refused to share any information about COVID-19 testing for athletes.
Dana White compares Coronavirus to Cancer: "You can't run from this thing"
Mike Pendleton - March 24, 2020
As he tries to continue on with putting on events amid the Coronavirus pandemic sweeping the world, UFC President Dana White is taking the virus seriously. During a recent interview with Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, White made a startling comparison, comparing COVID-19 to cancer. Fatalist Dana White to @KevinI: "Whether you're a coronavirus expert or not, it's like hiding from cancer. You can't hide from this thing. If you are a high-risk person, this thing's going to get you."
Dana White confirms Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson is still a go, event will be closed to fans
Adam Martin - March 23, 2020
UFC president Dana White confirmed Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson for the lightweight title is still a go and the event will be closed off to fans. Despite White trying his best to keep UFC events from being scrapped, the UFC was forced to suspend its operations due to the coronavirus outbreak, which led to UFC London, UFC Columbus, and UFC Portland being postponed. UFC 249 will not be allowed to take place in Brooklyn, New York, but White has remained adamant that the card, featuring the main event for the lightweight belt between Nurmagomedov and Ferguson, will still go on.
Dana White buries MMA media for pandemic worries: They're the 'weakest, wimpiest people on earth'
Tom Taylor - March 20, 2020
Dana White has been working hard to keep the UFC running during the coronavirus pandemic. While he ultimately had to “indefinitely postpone” three UFC shows, he delayed doing so until the last possible minute, and has been adamant future shows will go down as planned. White’s reluctance to bend to the coronavirus pandemic has generated some understandable criticism from fans and media alike. He has not taken kindly to that criticism.
Sam Alvey believes the United States has had a 'huge overreaction' to coronavirus pandemic
Natasha Hooper - March 20, 2020
Sam Alvey feels bad for all the people affected by coronavirus, but declared there has been a “huge overreaction” to the pandemic. With his upcoming fight against Khalil Rountree at UFC on ESPN 8 scrapped, “Smile’n” Alvey reacted to the company’s decision to cancel three upcoming shows. The news came after President Donald Trump declared no more than 10 people should gather at one time.
John McCarthy praises 'real leader' Scott Coker for Bellator 241 cancelation
Tom Taylor - March 19, 2020
Last Friday, Bellator President Scott Coker made the decision to cancel the Bellator 241 card at the last-minute amid growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus pandemic. Coker promptly announced that all the fighters that were scheduled to compete on the card would be paid. John McCarthy, a veteran MMA referee who now serves as a Bellator commentator, believes Coker made the right decision, and praised the Bellator boss for his handling of the situation.
Dana White has a message for fans doubting he can pull off UFC 249 event
Harry Kettle - March 19, 2020
UFC president Dana White has a defiant message for fans who believe that the promotion won’t be able to host UFC 249 next month. Following the announcement of three upcoming events being canceled, many fans have been wondering whether or not White and the UFC will be able to stage UFC 249 on April 18 — which, of course, is set to play host to the highly anticipated Lightweight Championship bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson.
UFC releases official statement on 'UFC 249: Khabib vs Ferguson'
Cole Shelton - March 18, 2020
UFC 249 is still up in the air, but the promotion has now released a statement on the event. With the state of New York banning large gatherings, and in accordance with the New York State Athletic Commission, the UFC announced the event will not take place in Brooklyn.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says Dana White will send location for Tony Ferguson fight in next couple of days
Cole Shelton - March 17, 2020
Khabib Nurmagomedov is anticipating being sent the location of his UFC 249 fight against Tony Ferguson in the coming days. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UFC has been forced to postpone the next three events and the status of UFC 249 is unknown. It will not be taking place in Brooklyn, New York as expected but Nurmagomedov is certain the bout will happen.
Eddie Hearn admits he's 'jealous' of how UFC controls the sport and fighters
Natasha Hooper - March 17, 2020
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is reportedly jealous over the UFC’s control of the sport of MMA. As the man behind Matchroom Boxing, Hearn has always had an appreciation for the world’s largest MMA promotion, the UFC. The Boxing promoter admitted he is envious over the promotion and its evolving brand, cultivated by UFC President Dana White.
Dana White will go to extreme lengths to ensure Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson happens on April 18
Tom Taylor - March 17, 2020
On Monday, UFC President Dana White elected to cancel the promotion’s next three events amid the growing risks and restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. That means the next event on the UFC calendar is UFC 249, which is scheduled for April 18 in Brooklyn, New York, and topped by a lightweight title fight between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson. Given the current situation, many fans are worried that this Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson fight will fall through. The matchup, of course, is already the source of ample superstition, having been canceled four times previously.
VIDEO | Tony Ferguson showcases wild exercises ahead of UFC 249, Khabib Nurmagomedov responds
Natasha Hooper - March 17, 2020
Tony Ferguson has showcased the unique exercises that are keeping him busy in the run up to his UFC 249 bout. However, his upcoming opponent, Khabib Nurmagomedov is not a fan. “El Cucuy” is scheduled to return to the Octagon on Saturday, April 18 for the first time since beating Donald Cerrone by TKO in June 2019. His upcoming opponent is none other than the undefeated lightweight champion, “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov.
Dana White and UFC willing to sign new fighters to take short-notice fights at former UFC London card
Adam D Martin - March 15, 2020
UFC president Dana White and the promotion’s matchmakers are willing to sign new fighters to take short-notice fights for the former UFC London card. While the majority of the sporting world is bunkering down and not holding its events for the foreseeable future, the UFC continues to operate the status quo. Though no fans were in attendance, the Octagon was still there for UFC Brasilia. White is adamant that the upcoming cards that were set for Ohio and Portland will also find new homes, as will the card that was scheduled to be UFC 249 in Brooklyn.
UFC President Dana White announces Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Tony Ferguson will take place on April 18
Christopher Taylor - March 14, 2020
Good news for fight fans, as Dana White recently confirmed that April’s highly anticipated UFC lightweight title fight between Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov is a go. The UFC President recently spoke with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto where he shared the following update on the UFC 249 headliner.
Dana White addresses the coronavirus and the future plans for UFC events
Harry Kettle - March 13, 2020
UFC president Dana White has provided fans with an update regarding the immediate future of all UFC events in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Sports leagues all around the world have experienced widespread postponements and cancellations as a result of COVID-19, with the anticipation being that this is just the beginning for many countries.