Dana White Talks UFC 116, TapouT Issue and Jake Shields

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse Exclusive, NewsLAS VEGAS — MMA Fighting spoke to Dana White following Thursday’s UFC 116 pre-fight press conference about a whole host of topics.

White discussed if he ever thought Brock Lesnar would never fight for the UFC…

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LAS VEGAS — MMA Fighting spoke to Dana White following Thursday’s UFC 116 pre-fight press conference about a whole host of topics.

White discussed if he ever thought Brock Lesnar would never fight for the UFC, whether Lesnar is the biggest draw in MMA, Yoshihiro Akiyama‘s initial reluctancy to fight Chris Leben, his thoughts on Fedor Emelianenko‘s recent loss, whether he got in the way of a TapouT deal with Emelianenko, his take on MMA’s future in New York and whether the UFC had signed Jake Shields.

All that and much more in the interview below.

Lesnar and Carwin Jockey for No. 1 Ranking While Gridlock Forms Behind

Filed under: UFC, NewsLAS VEGAS — The first thing that came out of Dana White’s mouth was an admission.

“Our heavyweight division used to suck,” the UFC president said. “But now, it’s stacked with incredible talent, and all these guys are lined up, …

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Brock Lesnar and Shane CarwinLAS VEGAS — The first thing that came out of Dana White‘s mouth was an admission.

“Our heavyweight division used to suck,” the UFC president said. “But now, it’s stacked with incredible talent, and all these guys are lined up, waiting to fight.”

Indeed, gridlock is forming on the road to the division’s championship. On Saturday night at UFC 116, current champion Brock Lesnar returns from illness to defend his belt against top contender and interim champ Shane Carwin with the world’s No. 1 heavyweight ranking on the line, but both guys don’t have to look too far in their rearview mirrors to see rival war wagons speeding up behind them.

Dana White Insists Chuck Liddell Will Never Fight in the UFC Again

After Rich Franklin wrapped up Chuck Liddell’s night with a nicely timed right hand at UFC 115, handing “The Iceman” his third straight KO loss, Dana White was quick to announce that the legendary fighter would never fight in the Octagon again. Of course, since then, you’ve probably noticed a bazillion online articles pointing out the fact […]

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After Rich Franklin wrapped up Chuck Liddell’s night with a nicely timed right hand at UFC 115, handing “The Iceman” his third straight KO loss, Dana White was quick to announce that the legendary fighter would never fight in the Octagon again. Of course, since then, you’ve probably noticed a bazillion online articles pointing out the fact that the UFC boss man said the same thing last year, after Chuck was bombed out by “Shogun” Rua.

What has also been rather deja-vu-ish is that, just like after Chuck’s loss last year, the former champ hasn’t actually, you know, agreed to retire. In fact, in some of his most recent interviews the 40 year-old Liddell has sounded much more like a guy that is hoping to fight again, rather than hang em-up. Well, after the UFC 116 presser today, White fielded several questions about Liddell and his future in the organization (thanks to MMA Weekly for the quote).

“Can Chuck Liddell still make money? Could I make money off Chuck Liddell? Yes,” White said, before declaring, “I don’t want that money. I don’t want to make that kind of money. I’m not interested in that”…“He’ll never fight in the UFC again.”

In addition, when asked if he would release Liddell provided ”The Iceman” insisted so that he could fight again elsewhere, White conceded he would. Now that’s some pretty definitive sounding stuff no?

Dana White Saves Chuck Liddell the Awkwardness of Asking for Another UFC Fight

(Dana may want to skip right to dessert.)
During a media scrum following today’s UFC 116 pre-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White made his feelings about his longtime friend Chuck Liddell continuing to compete in the Octagon crystal clear.


(Dana may want to skip right to dessert.)

During a media scrum following today’s UFC 116 pre-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White made his feelings about his longtime friend Chuck Liddell continuing to compete in the Octagon crystal clear.

"He’ll never fight in the UFC again. Can Chuck Liddell still make money? Could I make money off of Chuck Liddell? Yes. I don’t want that money. I don’t want to make that kind of money," White asserted. "I’m not interested in that. He won’t do it again. He cannot do it again. It will not happen again."

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Dana White: After Loss, We Have No Interest in Fedor Emelianenko

Filed under: UFC, Strikeforce, NewsLAS VEGAS — For a time, Russian MMA heavyweight star Fedor Emelianenko was UFC President Dana White’s obsession. Negotiations ensued, wild money figures were thrown about, and the flirtation ended short of consummati…

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Fedor EmelianenkoLAS VEGAS — For a time, Russian MMA heavyweight star Fedor Emelianenko was UFC President Dana White‘s obsession. Negotiations ensued, wild money figures were thrown about, and the flirtation ended short of consummation.

But the love story that never was will forever remain unrequited, it seems. White says that after Emelianenko lost to Fabricio Werdum last Saturday night in a Strikeforce show, any interest in him is gone for good.

“I’m not interested,” White said after a UFC 116 press conference. “Listen, how many times have you seen us sign a guy when he just loses in another promotion, you know? Oh, the guy just lost in Strikeforce, let’s sign him!”

UFC 116 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video

Filed under: UFCBrock Lesnar, Shane Carwin and UFC President Dana White will meet the press Thursday at the UFC 116 pre-fight press conference for the last time before Saturday night’s heavyweight title fight, and we’ve got the live video right here at…

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Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin and UFC President Dana White will meet the press Thursday at the UFC 116 pre-fight press conference for the last time before Saturday night’s heavyweight title fight, and we’ve got the live video right here at MMAFighting.com.

The press conference takes place at the MGM Grand’s Hollywood Theatre and is the final chance for the media to question Lesnar and Carwin before they step into the Octagon. The weigh-in begins at 4 PM ET and the video is below.