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].
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.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Rankings Report: Week of 11/17/14.
Free Fight: Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler.
Cage Warriors, Tachi Palace, and XFC Australia featured on Inside MMA’s Friday Finishes.
BJJ Scout previews Kazushi Sakuraba vs. Renzo Gracie Metamoris 5.
Highlights from GLORY 18.
TTTHS.
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.
TWEETS
Hoping for video.
The Superfight between jonnybones and @spideranderson went down last nite @ufc headquarters #noppv… http://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
Fightweek.
Well Me & @IKEVF are off to Austin #FightWeek
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 18, 2014
Flying to Austin!!
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) November 18, 2014
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
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
Repping Team Germany?
We just bumped into my lucky charm and MMA Queen @rondarousey http://t.co/4AYE3F4fyz
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 19, 2014
Get well soon.
Follow up dr appt went well, look for a return in 2015!
— Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) November 18, 2014
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
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
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Nov. 18 2014)
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Tyron Woodley at UFC 183
Corey Anderson vs. Jonathan Wilson at UFC 181
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