Dana White cares.
Aside from performing his multiple tasks as president of the UFC, White also assumes the role of fitness consultant to select overweight athletes of the world’s leading MMA organization.
He announced his preference—right after the recently dethroned former lightweight champion lost his belt—that Frankie Edgar should move down to current titlist Jose Aldo’s featherweight division. Even guaranteeing an immediate title shot versus Aldo if The Answer replies in the affirmative.
He said that past welterweight title challenger Jake Shields should keep campaigning in Georges St-Pierre’s estate, and not ascend the middleweight roster.
He insisted UFC 146 winner Roy Nelson should cut down and invade the light heavyweight territory ruled by Jon Jones.
Likewise, the UFC head stated that Strikeforce Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier should reduce and accompany Nelson in that expedition.
White is a firm believer in the principle of maximizing each fighter’s strength-to-weight ratio. The idea being that every serious fighter should be at the heaviest of his weight class come the official weigh-in, and not give away a deficit of poundage to his opponent.
If the strength and conditioning trainers and dietitians of Edgar, Shields, Nelson and Cormier have “negligently overlooked” this principle, then it’s not White’s problem.
He is the boss of the UFC stable of fighters. And maybe he implies that they should listen if they know what’s good for them. (Not that they’re obliged, though.)
Edgar has lately hinted that he might drop down to featherweight.
Jake Shields is already scheduled to fight at middleweight against Ed Herman at UFC 150.
Nelson shouted some strong words at White after stopping Herman last Saturday night, presumably over this weight-loss issue, among others.
And Cormier is now considering losing pounds to fight Jon Jones, according to MMAMania.com. This despite a “horrific weight cut” in the past “not only cost him an Olympic wrestling bid, but almost cost him his life.”
Fighters may or may not oblige, as White’s tips are not considered standing orders—unless it’s in their contract, which is doubtful.
Still, White is free to speak his mind about his fighters as a concerned surrogate parent. Or fan.
But he can’t dispense unsolicited advice as dietitian or strength and conditioning consultant, unless certified.
Note: Dana Fonda, er, I mean White, used to be an aerobics instructor and conducted classes in three gyms.
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