Tag: Dana White

Dana White Admits James Toney vs. Randy Couture a “Freak Show”

When Dana White decided to sign James Toney to a UFC contract, there were a few MMA pundits of the ‘purist’ mentality that didn’t care for the deal. After all, White had always maintained that he would never get lulled into such a fight, one of the ‘freak show’ variety, where a dude with next […]

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When Dana White decided to sign James Toney to a UFC contract, there were a few MMA pundits of the ‘purist’ mentality that didn’t care for the deal. After all, White had always maintained that he would never get lulled into such a fight, one of the ‘freak show’ variety, where a dude with next to no MMA training comes in only to get drubbed (see Don Caras Jr. vs. Mirko “Cro Cop”- yes “Junior’s” wearing a wrestler’s mask but the bout, particularly the finish, is very, very, real…)

While Toney has been talking a big game and fake dialling 911, it was interesting to see WBO Heavyweight Champion David Haye say this week that “the wrestling aspect (in MMA) ruins your punching power” and that Toney is “delusional” for thinking he’ll beat Randy Couture. When Dana White was asked to comment on Haye’s comments while conducting an interview on 106.7 The Fan, he stated (thanks to Bloody Elbow):

“He is very right. It’s a freak show. I said I’d never put on a freak show fight and I’m doing it. Listen, this guy [Toney] chased me around the country saying bad things about the sport. If he wants to get his ass whooped, I’m gonna let him.”…  “Here’s what I expect; the bell rings, they come to the center of the Octagon, circle each other for a little bit, Randy double legs him, puts him against the fence, squashes his head and the fight is over.”

White went on to say that Toney has a puncher’s chance, and could catch Couture, “God forbid.” Yes. That wouldn’t be good. To read more of the interview head here.

In Brock Lesnar, UFC Has a Pay-Per-View Powerhouse

Filed under: UFCTo establish himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts, Brock Lesnar still has to beat Shane Carwin Saturday night at UFC 116. But there’s no question that Lesnar — just five fights into his MMA career — is …

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Brock LesnarTo establish himself as the undisputed heavyweight champion of mixed martial arts, Brock Lesnar still has to beat Shane Carwin Saturday night at UFC 116. But there’s no question that Lesnar — just five fights into his MMA career — is already the undisputed champion of pay-per-view.

Lesnar isn’t just the biggest pay-per-view draw in the UFC, he’s by far the biggest pay-per-view draw MMA has ever had. When the UFC brought Lesnar on board two and a half years ago it added an outsized personality, a legitimate athlete who won an NCAA heavyweight wrestling title, a ferocious competitor with the drive and determination to become the best fighter in the sport, and a celebrity who had already become a proven pay-per-view draw in pro wrestling — all in one enormous 265-pound package.

Chris Lytle Shooting for Fifth Straight Bonus in Matt Brown Rematch at UFC 116

Filed under: UFCThe way Chris Lytle is going, he might have to change his nickname – and not because another “Lights Out,” James Toney, is now in the UFC.

“Mr. Bonus,” perhaps? Lytle, one of the UFC’s longest standing veterans, has won bonus awards i…

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The way Chris Lytle is going, he might have to change his nickname – and not because another “Lights Out,” James Toney, is now in the UFC.

“Mr. Bonus,” perhaps? Lytle, one of the UFC’s longest standing veterans, has won bonus awards in four straight matches and seven of his last nine. Getting his name called by Dana White at the post-fight press conference practically has become an automatic. But Lytle told MMA Fighting on Wednesday he’s not ready to change his nickname just yet – with implied emphasis on the “yet.”

“Maybe if I get to the 10 bonus point, I can start thinking about that,” Lytle said. “But you’ve got to at least get to double digits first.”

Lytle has a good chance to creep one notch closer on Saturday night at UFC 116. His main-card welterweight bout with Matt Brown has all the makings of another Fight of the Night.

UFC Asks Fans to Leave Their Vuvuzelas at Home for UFC 116

Filed under: UFCIf the last few weeks worth of World Cup games have taught you to hate the sound of the vuvuzela, you’re not alone. UFC president Dana White agrees completely, which is why the UFC has banned the headache-inducing horns from Saturday ni…

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If the last few weeks worth of World Cup games have taught you to hate the sound of the vuvuzela, you’re not alone. UFC president Dana White agrees completely, which is why the UFC has banned the headache-inducing horns from Saturday night’s UFC 116 event in Las Vegas.

“This decision was pretty simple for me,” White is quoted as saying in a press release sent out by the UFC today. “Vuvuzelas make the most horrific sound I’ve ever heard. I’d rather let Brock [Lesnar] punch me in the face than hear 15,000 people blow on those things. This is the biggest heavyweight fight we’ve ever done. We’ll make enough noise this weekend when Brock and Shane [Carwin] finally step inside the Octagon.”

And you thought you hated the vuvuzela.

Soszynski Ready for a ‘Whole New Fight’ Against Bonnar at UFC 116

Filed under: UFCWhen it comes to fight preparation, Krzyzstof Soszynski has most assuredly been on both ends of the spectrum.

Last May, “The Polish Experiment” got less than three weeks notice to fight Andre Gusmao at UFC 98. In August, he got about …

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When it comes to fight preparation, Krzyzstof Soszynski has most assuredly been on both ends of the spectrum.

Last May, “The Polish Experiment” got less than three weeks notice to fight Andre Gusmao at UFC 98. In August, he got about a month’s notice to fill in for Matt Hamill against Brandon Vera at UFC 102. He came through with a knockout against Gusmao, but was sluggish and out-pointed against Vera.

That’s why he would much prefer a nice, long training camp – even if, like this time around, it’s essentially an eight-month camp to fight the same opponent twice.

Soszynski (19-9-1, 4-1 UFC) rematches with Stephan Bonnar (11-7, 5-6 UFC) at UFC 116 on Saturday after a controversial ending to their first fight at UFC 110. An accidental head butt opened up a cut on Bonnar’s head that forced a TKO stoppage, and Bonnar’s appeal to have the bout ruled a no contest was denied. Both fighters agreed a rematch would be prudent, but Soszynski said this is not likely to be a continuation of their last meeting.

Chuck Liddell Concedes “Not Taking Shots Like I Used To”

Over the last few weeks MMA fans have seen two of the sport’s greatest legends take losses in Chuck Liddell, and more recently, Fedor Emelianenko. Of course, there are some huge differences in each storyline,  as Fedor hadn’t lost since December, 2000, (and that was due to a cut he incurred seconds in) while Liddell […]

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Over the last few weeks MMA fans have seen two of the sport’s greatest legends take losses in Chuck Liddell, and more recently, Fedor Emelianenko. Of course, there are some huge differences in each storyline,  as Fedor hadn’t lost since December, 2000, (and that was due to a cut he incurred seconds in) while Liddell has been stopped three times in a row (with the losses to Rich Franklin and Rashad Evans in particular being of the ‘dude he’s f—ked up’ variety).

While UFC Prez Dana White made it abundantly clear following Liddell’s UFC 115 loss to Franklin, that “The Iceman” would never fight in the UFC again, the former champ hasn’t really done a ton of media much less talk about whether or not he’s hanging up the gloves. Well in a recent interview with MMA Canada.net, which featured a lovely looking woman asking the questions, and as a result, some rather interesting / understandable choices regarding camera work, Liddell had this to say about his latest loss (thanks to MMA Fighting for the tip):

“I’ve been an aggressive fighter my whole life,” he said. “It’s one of those things that it’s hard to change after so long. I probably should have been more conservative, protect myself a little more. I guess I’m not taking shots like I used to.”

Yes. Unfortunately not. In terms of retiring? Chuck was pressed on the question a couple of times but wasn’t saying much, other than he’s “going to talk to Dana.” It’s all still sounding very familiar no? To watch the entire interview head here.