Tag: Dana White

Dana White Shuts Down Rumors of Conor McGregor Ducking Justin Gaethje: ‘I Don’t Know If That’s True’

Dana White Shuts Down Rumors of Conor McGregor Ducking Justin Gaethje: 'I Don't Know If That's True'Dana White isn’t buying Ali Abdelaziz’s recent claim that Conor McGregor turned down a fight with Justin Gaethje on…

Dana White Shuts Down Rumors of Conor McGregor Ducking Justin Gaethje: 'I Don't Know If That's True'

Dana White isn’t buying Ali Abdelaziz’s recent claim that Conor McGregor turned down a fight with Justin Gaethje on five different occasions.

During a recent interview with Submission Radio, Abdelaziz, the manager of top MMA fighters including Kayla Harrison, Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo, and Gaethje, claimed that the Irish megastar was offered to scrap with the former BMF titleholder, but refused to do so after ‘The Highlight’ had talked trash about him on social media.

Justin Gaethje

”[Conor McGregor] got offered this fight at least five times,” Abdelaziz said. “He never wanted to have to do anything with Justin Gaethje. He said the reason he didn’t want to fight Justin was because Justin talked bad to him on Twitter and Instagram before and the history we have with him. He didn’t want to lose to our team, I guess.”

Dana White disputes Abdelaziz’s claim about conor McGregor

Asked if there’s any truth to Abdelaziz’s comments, White denied the statement suggesting that the promotion has never had a problem with McGregor accepting a fight no matter who the opponent.

”I don’t know if that’s true,” White said following Tuesday’s episode of DWCS. “I’ve said this many times and I’ll say it again, I mean, we actually have video footage of Lorenzo and I walking into his [McGregor] house that he was renting here. He just woke up, telling him the fight fell out, and he’s literally leaving going, ‘Well, I’m going to train, let me know who I’m fighting when I get back.’ We’ve never had those kind of issues with Conor McGregor.’

McGregor may be willing to step inside the Octagon with anyone, the former two-division titleholder hasn’t made competing a big priority in recent years. In June, he was scheduled to headline UFC 303 against former Bellator champion ‘Iron’ Michael Chandler before bowing out due to a broken pinky toe.

Conor McGregor

Chandler has since opted to move on and will now face Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 next month. As for McGregor, there’s still no date for when fans can expect to see him compete. Previously, McGregor was rumored to fight at UFC 296 in December. When that didn’t happen, everyone assumed he would return at UFC 300 in April. Clearly, that didn’t happen.

Now early 2025 appears to be the plan, but don’t expect to find anyone holding their breath in anticipation.

Conor McGregor

Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings

Francis Ngannou recently waved off Dana White’s disparaging comments regarding his boxing earnings. In January 2023, “The Predator” relinquished his UFC heavyweight title and parted ways with the promotion after a heated contractual dispute with the UFC CEO. The primary point of contention was Ngannou’s desire to compete in boxing matches, which his UFC contract […]

Continue Reading Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou recently waved off Dana White’s disparaging comments regarding his boxing earnings.

In January 2023, “The Predator” relinquished his UFC heavyweight title and parted ways with the promotion after a heated contractual dispute with the UFC CEO. The primary point of contention was Ngannou’s desire to compete in boxing matches, which his UFC contract did not permit.

Ngannou went on to sign a lucrative deal with the PFL, securing special autonomy to pursue boxing matches. The 38-year-old Cameroonian soon realized his long-held dream of stepping into the squared circle.

Although his high-profile bouts against former champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua didn’t deliver the outcomes he had hoped for, Ngannou still walked away with a pair of hefty paychecks.

White recently downplayed the belief that Ngannou earned more from two boxing matches than he would have with the UFC, dismissing the concept of massive payouts in the sport as merely “a myth.”

Ngannou Challenges Validity Of White’s Statements

During a recent interview, “The Predator” dismissed White’s remarks that belittled his boxing earnings and urged him not to fall for the narrative spun by the UFC’s head honcho. Ngannou further asserted that his earnings far exceeded what he could have ever achieved in the UFC.

“Personally, at this point, it’s been a while since I’ve taken anything from Dana White as credible,” Ngannou said. “I don’t give any importance because the things that he says a lot of times cannot make sense. But just for this statement, I will say for everything that I left the UFC for—every single thing—I have had more. Way more. Everything. Name it. Just say I have had everything way more.”

Ngannou is preparing for his eagerly awaited return to the MMA arena, set to clash with 2023 heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the headling bout of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. The event is scheduled for October 19 at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Continue Reading Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings at MMA News.

Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings

Francis Ngannou recently waved off Dana White’s disparaging comments regarding his boxing earnings. In January 2023, “The Predator” relinquished his UFC heavyweight title and parted ways with the promotion after a heated contractual dispute with the UFC CEO. The primary point of contention was Ngannou’s desire to compete in boxing matches, which his UFC contract […]

Continue Reading Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings at MMA News.

Francis Ngannou recently waved off Dana White’s disparaging comments regarding his boxing earnings.

In January 2023, “The Predator” relinquished his UFC heavyweight title and parted ways with the promotion after a heated contractual dispute with the UFC CEO. The primary point of contention was Ngannou’s desire to compete in boxing matches, which his UFC contract did not permit.

Ngannou went on to sign a lucrative deal with the PFL, securing special autonomy to pursue boxing matches. The 38-year-old Cameroonian soon realized his long-held dream of stepping into the squared circle.

Although his high-profile bouts against former champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua didn’t deliver the outcomes he had hoped for, Ngannou still walked away with a pair of hefty paychecks.

White recently downplayed the belief that Ngannou earned more from two boxing matches than he would have with the UFC, dismissing the concept of massive payouts in the sport as merely “a myth.”

Ngannou Challenges Validity Of White’s Statements

During a recent interview, “The Predator” dismissed White’s remarks that belittled his boxing earnings and urged him not to fall for the narrative spun by the UFC’s head honcho. Ngannou further asserted that his earnings far exceeded what he could have ever achieved in the UFC.

“Personally, at this point, it’s been a while since I’ve taken anything from Dana White as credible,” Ngannou said. “I don’t give any importance because the things that he says a lot of times cannot make sense. But just for this statement, I will say for everything that I left the UFC for—every single thing—I have had more. Way more. Everything. Name it. Just say I have had everything way more.”

Ngannou is preparing for his eagerly awaited return to the MMA arena, set to clash with 2023 heavyweight champion Renan Ferreira in the headling bout of PFL Super Fights: Battle of the Giants. The event is scheduled for October 19 at The Mayadeen in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Continue Reading Ngannou Dismisses Dana White, Says His Boxing Paychecks Surpass UFC Earnings at MMA News.

Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract

Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion. Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many […]

Continue Reading Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract at MMA News.

Alex Pereira is by far the most outstanding athlete the UFC has signed in recent years. Six of his ten UFC fights have been for a title, and he now holds the record for the quickest turnaround for three title defenses in the promotion.

Pereira’s quick rise to the top of MMA has perplexed many in the community. He is a kickboxing specialist but the lack of wrestling and grappling experience has yet to bother him in the UFC.

Artem Vakhitov, who defeated Pereira via decision at Glory 78, has signed with the UFC after winning at Dana White’s Contender Series Season 8, Week 9. The UFC President is happy to witness the influx of kickboxers in the UFC and thanked the UFC light heavyweight champ for it…

Dana White Explains How Israel Adesanya And Alex Pereira Inspired Kickboxers To Enter The UFC

During the DWCS 75 episode’s press conference, White talked about the recent wave of kickboxers coming to the UFC. He believes the success Israel Adesanya and Pereira have had in the promotion to be the reason behind this.

Over the years, grappling has gradually become one of the most effective tools for success in MMA. Strikers often struggle to keep the fight on the feet against wrestlers but Adesanya and Pereira are huge exceptions. As a result, a lot of kickboxers with similar careers as these legends are now willing to try out their luck in the UFC.

The UFC CEO pointed out that many kickboxers have fought gruesome battles for less money than they deserved. By showcasing their exciting standup in the UFC, they can significantly boost their earnings and fame.

“What I actually think, like we were saying earlier, it’s fascinating how these guys that came out of this whole circuit with Israel and Alex, including them, are doing so well in the UFC. It’s fascinating, so, yeah, why not?” White continued, “I think it’s all of it. Obviously, those guys fought, you know, crazy fights, that I’m sure they didn’t make any money. Joanna J?drzejczyk and many others. And come over here and it’s absolutely life-changing for them.”

While he was announcing the contracts for DWCS Season 8, Week 9, Laura Sanko asked White about Pereira’s halo effect in the UFC. Here’s how he responded:

“100%. It’s fascinating and that these guys are coming over here with so many kickboxing fights. And they’re wrestling is on point. It’s actually fascinating.”

Vakhitov is a great example of the same. He’s just secured a UFC contract but has already generated a lot of hype because of his win over Pereira in kickboxing. Interestingly, “Poatan” himself convinced White to sign Vakhitov.

Continue Reading Dana White Recognizes Alex Pereira’s ‘Halo Effect’ As Artem Vakhitov Gets UFC Contract at MMA News.

WWE’s Triple H Admits Envy Over Dana White’s Noche UFC Production

WWE's Triple H Admits Envy Over Dana White’s Noche UFC ProductionTriple H is envious of what Dana White accomplished at Noche UFC. Last month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship delivered…

WWE's Triple H Admits Envy Over Dana White’s Noche UFC Production

Triple H is envious of what Dana White accomplished at Noche UFC.

Last month, the Ultimate Fighting Championship delivered on its promise to produce an event unlike anything combat sports fans had ever seen before. The promotion’s card inside the already iconic Sphere in Las Vegas was a spectacle that had everyone, including the WWE’s Chief Content Officer, swooning.

“When I see what Dana is doing and they’re just crushing it and I see stuff at The Sphere and I look at that production and I’m like, ‘I wanna do that.’ It’s just like a lot of fun,” Triple H said during a press conference following WWE Bad Blood on October 5. “Man, it’s amazing to watch them do what they do, at the level they do it, and there’s nothing like that in the world” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Noche UFC

Though the budget for the event exceeded $20 million, Noche UFC brought in a record-breaking $22 million gate, breaking the $17 million record set by Conor McGregor’s clash with Eddie Alvarez in November 2016.

It also eclipsed the company’s previous records for highest-grossing merchandise sales and highest-grossing sales for VIP experiences. It also generated more sponsorship dollars than any other event in UFC history.

Noche UFC

Noche UFC fails to close the show with a bang

As much as a spectacle as the evening was, the action inside the Octagon left a lot to be desired. Particularly in the case of the co-main and main events. Both Valentina Shevchenko and Merab Dvalishvili deployed a wrestle-heavy attack against their opponents en route to a pair of uneventful world title victories.

Their performances were dominant, but not exactly fan-friendly which left the UFC CEO a bit frustrated.

“You can control how much you spend on the production of an event, but you can’t control the fights,” White said of the lackluster title fights during the post-fight press conference.

PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins

UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings. Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event. Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status […]

Continue Reading PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins at MMA News.

UFC 307 was a big night for the women’s bantamweight division due to two match-ups that took place right at the top of the rankings.

Julianna Peña was able to reclaim the 135-pound title by defeating Raquel Pennington via split decision in the co-main event.

Earlier on in the night, Kayla Harrison cemented her status as the next in line by defeating Ketlen Vieira via a unanimous decision.

Harrison’s return to the Octagon wasn’t without comment from her former home, the PFL, who received some criticism for posting about her loss to Larissa Pacheco on the same evening.

The use of Harrison’s time spent in the PFL didn’t stop being talking point there after the promotion’s founder commented once again on the day after UFC 307.

Donn Davis Says PFL’s Women’s Division Would ‘Crush’ The UFC’s, Lays Down A Challenge To Prove It

In a post on X, PFL founder Donn Davis made a statement that was followed by a challenge to the UFC regarding the strength of their female roster.

He took Cris Cyborg and Larissa Pacheco, who are set to face off on October 19, and put them up against the champion and top contender in the UFC’s 135-pound division.

Davis makes it clear that he would back Cyborg and Pacheco over Peña and Harrison and even offers to put money on it.

Following Dana White’s harsh comments regarding the success of the PFL in his post-UFC 307 press conference, Davis wrote “#DanaScared” underneath the post.

“It is clear from UFC 306 that @PFLMMA female division would crush @UFC. I am so confident… winner take all. PFL: Cyborg + Pacheco. UFC: Harrison + Peña. $2m to each fighter… losing company pays $8m total fighter purses”

Read also: Kayla Harrison On Being Bloodied For The First Time At UFC 307: ‘That Threw Me…’

Continue Reading PFL Founder Touts Superior Women’s Division After UFC 307 Harrison, Peña Wins at MMA News.