Morning Report: Dana White talks ‘liking’ Rampage Jackson, being happy for Tito Ortiz and why Brock Lesnar would never sign with Bellator

UFC president Dana White had a bit of a rough start to the week.

Blaming the letdown of Monday’s ‘The Time is Now’ event on his public relations staff, White was then asked for his take on Bellator’s recent ratings success during an appearance on TSN’s On The Record.

Headlined by UFC Hall of Famers Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, Saturday’s Bellator 131 event averaged 1.8 million viewers making it the most watched fight in the promotion’s history.

“That thing was a free fight on free TV,” White said. “Yea, it’s going to pull some numbers. They’re both big-name guys. I’m happy for Tito and Bonnar. Those guys are getting paid, that’s really about it.”

Unlike boxing promoter Bob Arum, White didn’t appear to bear any malice towards Ortiz, someone he’s had a publicly tumultuous relationship with for years.

“To be honest with you, the ‘Tito thing’ is old, it’s over,” said White. “I could care less anymore. When Tito and I were a lot younger we used to battle about a lot of things. I’m happy for the guy. He’s making money, he’s getting paid. Good for him.”

Staying on fellow former UFC blue chips, White was asked whether or not he ‘liked’ former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson.

“I like Rampage Jackson,” said White. “Rampage and I have a very unique relationship in that all the stuff that goes on publicly, behind the scenes we square away. He’s a good dude.”

Jackson had been vocal of his dissatisfaction with how the UFC treated him during his six-year tenure with the company, but now seems to regret having left for Bellator’s greener pastures.

Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc

— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 18, 2014

White has seen Ortiz, Bonnar, Randy Couture and even Royce Gracie earn paychecks at Bellator, but he isn’t worried about a certain former heavyweight champion jumping ship.

Brock Lesnar wouldn’t go to Bellator,” said White. “Brock wants to fight the best guys in the world. The best guys in the world are [in the UFC].

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

A tale of two Roufusports. Luke Thomas discusses the death of Roufusport amateur kickboxer Dennis Munson, Jr. with Duke Roufus, Ben Askren and Eric Schafer.

Bones vs. Spider. Jon Jones is thinking of superfights, but ‘would never want to fight Anderson’ Silva.

Boom. Dave Metlzer examines who won the ratings war this past Saturday night.

‘I’ll be disgusted if something happens.’ Chris Weidman is worried sick that Vitor Belfort won’t be allowed to compete at UFC 184.

‘A fortuitous situation.’ Ronda Rousey says she’ll have some major career decisions to make after her Feb. 28 title defense to Cat Zingano.

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MEDIA STEW

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UFC Rankings Report: Week of 11/17/14.

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Free Fight: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler.

Star-divide

Cage Warriors, Tachi Palace, and XFC Australia featured on Inside MMA’s Friday Finishes.

Star-divide

BJJ Scout previews Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Renzo Gracie Metamoris 5.

Star-divide

Highlights from GLORY 18.

Star-divide

TTTHS.

Star-divide

Long watches.

MMA Tete-A-Tete: UFC vs Bellator this weekend and into 2015 (Luke Thomas and Kid Nate)

Former Bellator MMA Vice President of Talent Relations and current promoter of Matrix Fights in Philadelphia Sam Caplan and Jason Floyd of TheMMAReport.com recap last weekend’s UFC 180, Bellator 131, and WSOF 15.

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TWEETS

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Hoping for video.

The Superfight between jonnybones and @spideranderson went down last nite @ufc headquarters #noppvhttp://t.co/Z8m8BLcqds

— Dana White (@danawhite) November 18, 2014

That moment when dreams become reality pic.twitter.com/S6yTBrSFfU

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 19, 2014

Just finished learning from the best @SpiderAnderson what a unique talent #honored

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) November 18, 2014

Just finished a two hour sparring session with the #goat @spideranderson

A video posted by Jon Bones Jones (@jonnybones) on Nov 11, 2014 at 11:34pm PST

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Fightweek.

Well Me & @IKEVF are off to Austin #FightWeek

Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 18, 2014

Flying to Austin!!

Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) November 18, 2014

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Big step up.

Woodley vs Gastelum is the co main event at #ufc183 January 31st in Las Vegas #ufc http://t.co/HnW9sNyE8P

— Dana White (@danawhite) November 18, 2014

No days off! T-Woodley vs KG January 31st in MGM GRAND #OnAmission4Gold

Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) November 18, 2014

@TWooodley @ufc my respects for you sir. It will be a great battle.

— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) November 19, 2014

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Quick recap from Monday.

Big news coming out of @ufc HQ that there will be 45+ events next year. I can think of a few chins I would like to swing at on them shows.

— Thomas E Watson (@TomKongWatson) November 18, 2014

So basically nothing happened at the ufc thing last night

— chris fields (@chrisfieldsmma) November 18, 2014

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Repping Team Germany?

We just bumped into my lucky charm and MMA Queen @rondarousey http://t.co/4AYE3F4fyz

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 19, 2014

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Get well soon.

Follow up dr appt went well, look for a return in 2015!

Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) November 18, 2014

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Damn.

Received my walking papers today, gotta keep pushing forward and improve as a martial artist. Ups and downs are part of the fight business.

Rick Hawn (@RickHawnMMA) November 19, 2014

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BFFs

Look what the champ posted, Lol! Has me rolling! Makes me think of @barbhonchak randizxx and myself on… http://t.co/6TuefezRY6

— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) November 19, 2014

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 18 2014)

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 183

Corey Anderson vs. Jonathan Wilson at UFC 181

Star-divide

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.

UFC president Dana White had a bit of a rough start to the week.

Blaming the letdown of Monday’s ‘The Time is Now’ event on his public relations staff, White was then asked for his take on Bellator’s recent ratings success during an appearance on TSN’s On The Record.

Headlined by UFC Hall of Famers Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, Saturday’s Bellator 131 event averaged 1.8 million viewers making it the most watched fight in the promotion’s history.

“That thing was a free fight on free TV,” White said. “Yea, it’s going to pull some numbers. They’re both big-name guys. I’m happy for Tito and Bonnar. Those guys are getting paid, that’s really about it.”

Unlike boxing promoter Bob Arum, White didn’t appear to bear any malice towards Ortiz, someone he’s had a publicly tumultuous relationship with for years.

“To be honest with you, the ‘Tito thing’ is old, it’s over,” said White. “I could care less anymore. When Tito and I were a lot younger we used to battle about a lot of things. I’m happy for the guy. He’s making money, he’s getting paid. Good for him.”

Staying on fellow former UFC blue chips, White was asked whether or not he ‘liked’ former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson.

“I like Rampage Jackson,” said White. “Rampage and I have a very unique relationship in that all the stuff that goes on publicly, behind the scenes we square away. He’s a good dude.”

Jackson had been vocal of his dissatisfaction with how the UFC treated him during his six-year tenure with the company, but now seems to regret having left for Bellator’s greener pastures.

White has seen Ortiz, Bonnar, Randy Couture and even Royce Gracie earn paychecks at Bellator, but he isn’t worried about a certain former heavyweight champion jumping ship.

Brock Lesnar wouldn’t go to Bellator,” said White. “Brock wants to fight the best guys in the world. The best guys in the world are [in the UFC].

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

A tale of two Roufusports. Luke Thomas discusses the death of Roufusport amateur kickboxer Dennis Munson, Jr. with Duke Roufus, Ben Askren and Eric Schafer.

Bones vs. Spider. Jon Jones is thinking of superfights, but ‘would never want to fight Anderson’ Silva.

Boom. Dave Metlzer examines who won the ratings war this past Saturday night.

‘I’ll be disgusted if something happens.’ Chris Weidman is worried sick that Vitor Belfort won’t be allowed to compete at UFC 184.

‘A fortuitous situation.’ Ronda Rousey says she’ll have some major career decisions to make after her Feb. 28 title defense to Cat Zingano.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

UFC Rankings Report: Week of 11/17/14.

Star-divide

Free Fight: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler.

Star-divide

Cage Warriors, Tachi Palace, and XFC Australia featured on Inside MMA’s Friday Finishes.

Star-divide

BJJ Scout previews Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Renzo Gracie Metamoris 5.

Star-divide

Highlights from GLORY 18.

Star-divide

TTTHS.

Star-divide

Long watches.

MMA Tete-A-Tete: UFC vs Bellator this weekend and into 2015 (Luke Thomas and Kid Nate)

Former Bellator MMA Vice President of Talent Relations and current promoter of Matrix Fights in Philadelphia Sam Caplan and Jason Floyd of TheMMAReport.com recap last weekend’s UFC 180, Bellator 131, and WSOF 15.

Star-divide

TWEETS

Star-divide

Hoping for video.

Just finished a two hour sparring session with the #goat @spideranderson

A video posted by Jon Bones Jones (@jonnybones) on

Star-divide

Fightweek.

Star-divide

Big step up.

Star-divide

Quick recap from Monday.

Star-divide

Repping Team Germany?

Star-divide

Get well soon.

Star-divide

Damn.

Star-divide

BFFs

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 18 2014)

Kelvin Gastelum vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 183

Corey Anderson vs. Jonathan Wilson at UFC 181

Star-divide

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.