“We’ll see what happens.”
UFC president Dana White has been dropping the phrase on media for years.
White clings to the motto whenever he can, but he got his money’s worth when it came to questions on allowing a fantastical boxing match between former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr.
Even prior to losing his title to Chris Weidman at UFC 162, Silva has been campaigning for the exhibition bout for years.
White has never flat-out forbade the match between Silva and Jones, but the boxer isn’t holding his breath.
“The UFC won’t allow him to fulfill his dream and get in the ring and enjoy a night of sharing the ring with the great Roy Jones. Jr.,” Jones told MMA Fight Corner. “It’s such a pity. It’s such a shame because it’s a night that I’m sure people from both worlds would really admire, and would love to see, and would get a lot from because of two legends in the ring at once. Although it’s boxing, we could share the ring together because Anderson can box. He’s a professional fighter too, and he’s an entertainer just as myself.”
In 2013, White humored his then-champion by seating Jones cageside at UFC 162 in Las Vegas, but Silva’s night didn’t end the way either he or the boxer had hoped.
“I feel really solid that [the UFC] won’t allow him to do that,” Jones said of the match. “But as a fighter, I think he’s a phenomenal fighter and I think he’s probably going to be one of the best UFC fighters to ever touch the planet.”
Before his title rematch with Weidman at UFC 168, Silva referred to White as the ‘big dad’ and ‘[President] Bush of MMA.’
“I think that Dana could let me tryout in taekwondo for the 2016 Olympic Games and let me fight Roy,” Silva told Roda Viva in Brazil, “but if he let me do that, he would need to let other fighters do their things, so he would lose control.”
With Silva turning 40 next April and Jones active but aged at nearly 46, time certainly isn’t on the pair’s side.
I suppose if the UFC wanted to ensure Silva stay out of a boxing ring (or become a brand ambassador for a competitor) it could always sign him to a lengthy contract extension he would have no humanly way of fulfilling.
Silva faces Nick Diaz in the main event at UFC 183 Jan. 31 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Spider hospitalized. Anderson Silva was rushed to the hospital Monday after not being able to feel his legs.
A case. Dave Meltzer explains how the WWE’s finances could make the UFC a more viable option for Brock Lesnar when his contract expires in 2015.
Silver lining. Ronda Rousey wasn’t thrilled about having her fight with Cat Zingano pushed back two months, but says she’s happy to co-headline along with Chris Weidman in Los Angeles. “Whenever we fight on the card, we kill it. So I’m happy to be on the card with Chris.”
‘I still think I can beat [Conor McGregor].’ Dustin Poirier says he expects to get a second chance at Conor McGregor.
‘I’m the hardest one for her to control.’ Sara McMann believes she’ll remain the toughest test for Ronda Rousey, but believes Cat Zingano has what it takes to become champion.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Rankings Report: Week of 11/3/14.
Robin Black breaks down Michael Bisping vs. Luke Rockhold.
Chad Mendes’ 2014 highlight.
27X world champion Renato Laranja calls out Chris Weidman.
TTTHS.
Free Fight: Fabricio Werdum vs. Fedor Emelianenko. No commentary, interesting.
Long watches.
“Cheap Seats” with Jordan Breen and Greg Savage.
TWEETS
MMA math.
A 2lbs miscalculation cost me… Regardless I am a world class lightweight and I belong in the @ufc it’s only a matter of time
— Mike Ricci (@MikeyRicci) November 4, 2014
In the gym.
Awesome week of training with @renzograciebjj @judosilencer tharagin1 gary tonin and john danaher…. http://t.co/moyTdle2rU
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) November 4, 2014
How I felt today 🙂 http://t.co/IKDE3PJ8NX pic.twitter.com/rs3oDS880c
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 4, 2014
Baseball player @Russellmartin55 visited us for gymnastics training- Un gars très athlétique! http://t.co/x5U0gdIFl0
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) November 4, 2014
Puttin in work today with #UFC hall of fame @patmiletich this morning. Getting some footwo… http://t.co/g8OwIEnTbn pic.twitter.com/NNYBE1NKgj
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) November 4, 2014
Practicing wrestling with @LancePalmer pic.twitter.com/C3IBElono3
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) November 4, 2014
Must be nice.
I am truly grateful that when I hit them, they fall. Every single time.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) November 5, 2014
I was just reflecting on how bad ass I am. lol. 23 fights in the ufc not counting the ones from the show. they’r… http://t.co/vkMQ8MUdXE
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) November 2, 2014
Surprised?
I’m fighting nate marquardt on the main card PPV. I can’t wait. Team @rjrogers87 @virtustream @ufc
— Brad Tavares (@BradTavares) November 4, 2014
Get well soon.
First time getting ring worm….the not washing doesn’t make you invincible it seems, but does protect… http://t.co/RdpfXIfCPq
— Joanne Calderwood (@DRkneevil) November 2, 2014
Sweeping the nation.
Getting fixed by Dr. Ben @SportsDocBen pic.twitter.com/WbQvgWBJGD
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) November 4, 2014
Sorry Stewie! I’m not walking anywhere. http://t.co/8l2EvvvacW
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) November 2, 2014
The struggle.
Absolutely worst way to start the day Dentist Opponent cracked my tooth
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) November 4, 2014
I’m so damn stressed out I can’t even sleep! #anger #MMA #politics #benchwarmers #need2fight #payingBillsOnCredit
— Steve Carl (@Steve_Carl) November 4, 2014
Just ate an old twizzler off the floor of my car. That’s all the candy crush saga you’re gonna get from me.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) November 4, 2014
Asshole tsa not only lost our bags and made me miss my last flight but they wouldn’t let m… http://t.co/vIsLdQyxwE pic.twitter.com/Y99wiyagFT
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) November 5, 2014
Someone really thought this through… #SelfieBlocker http://t.co/PmWd2sIIoH
— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 4, 2014
The struggle is always real for me to get up……I #$%&en hate mornings….. http://t.co/w338MrGCnF
— Nik Lentz (@NikLentz) November 3, 2014
You take one fight on short notice and look like shit one time and all of a sudden every fighter n their mom think they can beat you…lmao
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) November 2, 2014
Smashed my voss glass water bottle …..totally gutted!
— Joanne Calderwood (@DRkneevil) November 2, 2014
I crashed my car in a car accident yesterday evening. Look at this beauty enterprise gave me! #MiniVan http://t.co/1DEBNgxmj9
— MIKE RICHMAN (@MikeUSMCRichman) October 28, 2014
#creepymessageoftheday http://t.co/YirAo5FMvv
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) October 28, 2014
Ugh I need a date.
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) October 28, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 4 2014)
Rony Jason vs. Tom Niinimaki at UFC Fight Night: Machida vs. Dollaway
Diego Brandao vs. Jim Hettes at UFC 183
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Dave From Newfoundland.
Ronda Rousey: Love her? Hate her? Its not necessarily that black and white
My first impression of Ronda Rousey was a very positive one, after she had won the Strikeforce woman’s title she did one of those classic Sherdog- in hotel room-interviewed by the person behind the camera-interviews, and at the time to be quite frank ,I became borderline infatuated with her. Firstly I was very impressed by her skill set and what she did to Tate (ouch) but I was also impressed by the seemingly humble and very sweet (maybe even a little shy) sweetie that this killer and rising star was. In the interview she gave props to Miesha for her toughness as well as touched on some technical aspects of the fight, but what really tugged at the heart strings is how emotional she got when asked about if she could compare winning the Strikeforce title to the Olympic bronze medal. Reason being because it brought her to the subject of the the MMA World title being more for her and her dad (who had passed on) than the Olympics were and that she wished that he could of been there to see it.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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