Author: Matthew Roth

UFC on FOX 4 Interview: Dana White Puts the Kibosh on Diaz vs Silva

Last week, Cesar Gracie prepared the MMA world for some major Nick Diaz news. Or, at least, he tried to build it up that way to get everyone excited. People were trying to figure out what Gracie could possibly have to say that would be so groundbreakin…

Last week, Cesar Gracie prepared the MMA world for some major Nick Diaz news. Or, at least, he tried to build it up that way to get everyone excited. People were trying to figure out what Gracie could possibly have to say that would be so groundbreaking. 

What ended up being said was a bit of a letdown.

Gracie, speaking for Diaz, issued a challenge for Anderson Silva. And the crazy thing was that Anderson’s management was totally into the idea. Why wouldn’t they be? Diaz is super marketable and the fight would be guaranteed to do major business. 

Well, apparently not everyone is on board, including UFC president Dana White. Following the UFC on Fox 4 press conference, White spoke with Bleacher Report and attending MMA media, and the topic of Diaz vs. Silva came up. 

Like always White went straight to the point. 

“Nick Diaz makes no sense. I know that it sounds fun ‘YEAH! Throw Nick Diaz in there!’ But if you really look at the thing, Nick Diaz just lost to Condit. You know what I mean?” White told Bleacher Report, “at 170 so that gives him the opportunity to move up to 185 and fight the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world? In what f*cking universe does that make sense?”

He summed it up concisely on which fight he’d prefer for Anderson Silva.

“If you were really going to make a fight like that it would make more sense with George St. Pierre than it would with Diaz. I can tell you this, not theoretically, Diaz and Anderson won’t happen.”

I can’t say I disagree with the UFC boss.

Nick Diaz just doesn’t make sense as a viable opponent until he can put together a string of wins in the UFC. Heck, he shouldn’t even be in the discussion until his suspension is up.

Until then, let’s push for the more realistic fight between GSP and Silva. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on Fox 4 Interview: Dana White Would Like Forrest Griffin to Retire

Following his performance at UFC 148 against Tito Ortiz, Dana White was extremely critical of former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. He thought that Griffin looked old, which in fight talk is usually when someone is on their last legs.&nbsp…

Following his performance at UFC 148 against Tito Ortiz, Dana White was extremely critical of former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. He thought that Griffin looked old, which in fight talk is usually when someone is on their last legs. 

White wasn’t wrong either. Griffin looked tired entering the third round and won a close decision over Ortiz in the Huntington Beach Bad Boy’s retirement fight. It probably didn’t help matters that Griffin stole the spotlight and caused controversy when he stormed out of cage only to return and interview Ortiz in his send off. 

Following the UFC on Fox 4 pre-fight press conference, White spoke with Bleacher Report and attending MMA media. The subject of retirements came up and Griffin is one fighter in particular that the White believes should hang it up. 

“I would like Forrest to retire. There’s nothing left for Forrest to prove either. He won the Ultimate Fighter, he’s had an amazing career, won the title when people thought he couldn’t,” White told Bleacher Report. “He became a huge star and made sh*t loads of money, he’s got a beautiful wife and a baby.”

“If you don’t want to be a world champion and you’re still not ‘in the mix’ like I call it, why? What’s the point? I get it. It get it,” White added. “It’s hard to walk away from walking into an arena with the big crowds and all the sh*t, but there’s a point in time when I’m just like ‘you’ve done your thing man. You’ve had an amazing career, you’ve done great things.’

“There’s nothing left to prove.”

It’s up to Griffin if he wants to keep fighting, but the president is right. He has nothing left to prove. Unless he wants to make a final and real last run at the top, it may be a good idea to go out on a win. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on Fox 4 Interview: Dana White Says They’re Waiting to Make GSP vs. Anderson

It’s the super fight that’s been teased for years. A bout between two of the pound-for-pound best in the sport: George St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva. It’s a fan’s dream and one that both Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta have spoken about publicly a…

It’s the super fight that’s been teased for years. A bout between two of the pound-for-pound best in the sport: George St. Pierre vs. Anderson Silva. It’s a fan’s dream and one that both Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta have spoken about publicly as one they want to promote. 

Due to some unforeseen issues, it always ends up falling apart before there’s even a discussion with the fighters. Either St. Pierre was trying to put on the weight slowly to ensure he can actually give Silva the best challenge or Anderson had suffered injuries in camp and was unable to fight. 

Well it now seems like the stars are finally aligning for White and company and we’re getting closer and closer to this fight becoming a reality. 

While fans have been clamoring for a fight between Jon Jones and Anderson Silva, talks are finally speeding up for the fight with St. Pierre. 

After the pre-fight press conference for UFC on Fox 4, Dana White spoke with Bleacher Report and attending media and dropped a huge bombshell. He was asked if they would hold off on booking Anderson for a fight until St. Pierre’s fight with Carlos Condit is done in November. 

Dana’s response was short and sweet:

“Absolutely, that’s what we’re making. But anything can happen. He could end up fighting. We’ll have to see what happens. But it’s like you said, it’s all theoretical right now. People have to win first. GSP has to come out and beat Condit.”

I hope this finally comes to fruition. As a fan I’d love to see two of the best battle each other. And I hope that I’m there to see it live. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 4 Video Interview: Mike Swick Discusses Injuries and UFC Return

Bleacher Report caught up with UFC welterweight contender Mike Swick at the UFC on FOX 4 open workouts in Los Angeles. Mike Swick was once the rising stars of the UFC’s middleweight division. It was only after cutting down to welterweight that he …

Bleacher Report caught up with UFC welterweight contender Mike Swick at the UFC on FOX 4 open workouts in Los Angeles. 

Mike Swick was once the rising stars of the UFC’s middleweight division. It was only after cutting down to welterweight that he started having medical issues.

Swick discussed his road back to the Octagon and the trials and tribulations that he faced on his way back.  

Be sure to check back for more UFC on FOX 4 coverage from Bleacher Report. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on FOX 4 Video Interview: Mauricio Rua Discusses Muay Thai and Brandon Vera

Bleacher Report caught up with UFC light heavyweight contender Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at the UFC on FOX 4 open workouts in Los Angeles. Shogun is coming off of a fight-of-the-year performance against Dan Henderson at UFC 139 in San Jose. Rua now fi…

Bleacher Report caught up with UFC light heavyweight contender Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at the UFC on FOX 4 open workouts in Los Angeles. 

Shogun is coming off of a fight-of-the-year performance against Dan Henderson at UFC 139 in San Jose. Rua now finds himself in a position where, with an impressive win, he could be named the next light heavyweight contender.

He spoke about how he matches up with Brandon Vera and how it may not just be the Muay Thai fight that fans expect.  

Be sure to check back for more UFC on FOX 4 coverage from Bleacher Report. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC on Fox 4 Video Interview: Joe Lauzon Says Fighting on Fox Is a ‘Huge Honor’

Bleacher Report caught up with UFC lightweight contender Joe Lauzon at the UFC on Fox 4 open workouts in Los Angeles. Lauzon made waves when he upset Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 in Houston, winning with a highlight-reel submission. It put him on th…

Bleacher Report caught up with UFC lightweight contender Joe Lauzon at the UFC on Fox 4 open workouts in Los Angeles. 

Lauzon made waves when he upset Melvin Guillard at UFC 136 in Houston, winning with a highlight-reel submission. It put him on the fast track, only for him fall when faced Anthony Pettis in Japan.

Lauzon spoke about how fighting on Fox is a huge honor for him, as well as how he doesn’t get worked up and angry at opponents.

He also briefly discussed how, even if he wins most impressively on Saturday, he’ll give up his shot at the light heavyweight title for a more deserving opponent. 

Be sure to check back for more UFC on Fox 4 coverage from Bleacher Report. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com