What would a UFC post-fight press conference be without a healthy dose of ‘constructive criticism’’ being laid out by Dana White at someone, something, or some organization? Less interesting that’s for sure. At last night’s presser in Broomfield, Colorado, it sounds like Mr. White had one or two less than kind things to say about Strikeforce, and in particular, the promotion’s decision to match Jake Shields up against Dan Henderson on April 17th.
According to comments in a report from MMA Junkie, White blasted the upcoming bout not only because it features a more traditional welterweight in Shields taking on the much bigger Henderson, but also because of the fight’s timing.
“Jake Shields is on the last fight of his contract, so they’re feeding him to Dan Henderson right now because they want to get rid of him because he’s going to go away, or they’re going to have to pay him some big money to stick around or whatever the deal is,” White said. “‘We’re paying more money to Dan Henderson than we can afford already, so let’s get Jake’s ass kicked by Dan Henderson and get rid of Jake Shields.’
White also conceded that the UFC “would love to take him (Shields) from there” and although White clarified he has nothing against Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker, other eyebrow raising comments included phrases and terms like “stick it right up their ass” and it’s “bush-league [expletive]” (White also particularly dislikes someone at Showtime evidently). Check it out. At the end Dana offers a little coyness on the Fedor Emelianenko situation.