The UFC held it’s pre-fight press conference this afternoon at Robson Square, and president Dana White was on hand to pontificate about various UFC and mixed martial arts topics. Bleacher Report MMA was there and here is a recap of some of the comments from White.
On the current negotiations for a major television contract, and a future UFCTV:
“We’re negotiating with all the networks. That’s it. People think that we’re the one organization that can pull it off, I don’t know if that’s true.”
On the ongoing difficulties getting MMA sanctioned in the state of New York:
“I’m never confident about New York. Obviously this run was a little better we had more support than we did the last time so you know we’ll see. Whatever happens, happens. I know the unions were there battling us that day literally in the hall battling us and we still had a great vote. It’s New York politics, man, New York politics.”
On Diaz fighting GSP and conflicts with Showtime:
“We’re trying to figure this thing out. First of all we have a deal with Showtime and we’re gonna honor that deal with Showtime. Showtime has worked with us really good. I can’t believe you guys are gonna hear me say some positive Showtime stuff right now, but to be honest, they have been great with us. With the Diaz fight people were screaming for it, and we went and talked to Showtime and they were cool with it.”
What about the Strikeforce title?
“Diaz will give up the Strikeforce title and come in and fight GSP for the UFC title, and two guys will fight for the vacant belt and then we’ll go from there. No we have not decided who those two will be.”
Is Nick Diaz different this time around with the UFC. Has he learned to play the game?
“His attitude is a lot different this time around, I had a sit down talk with him and we’ll see how that went. That’s the million-dollar question, my friend.”
White also announced that the UFC is adding a 125-pound flyweight division because they need more fights and fighters, most of whom will come from places like Asia and Mexico, as they dominate that weight class.
I am looking forward to the card on Saturday night, but I am a little disappointed at where one of our Canadian fighters, Krzystof Soszynski is placed on the card. I asked him about it and got a typical Dana White response.
“Joe Silva is a dick.” Just the answer I was looking for, ending the presser with a bang.
Obviously, he said he was joking, but personally, I’m not so sure.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 131, including the latest UFC 131 results, fight card analysis, UFC 131 news and live reaction from Vancouver.
Dwight Wakabayashi is a Feature Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net).
Catch him on Twitter @wakafightermma.
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