Tag: Dana White

Dana White shuts down Israel Adesanya – Khamzat Chimaev fight amid apparent leak of UFC Saudi Arabia card

Dana White denies Israel Adesanya will fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia card leakedAn apparent leak on the official Kingdom Arena website tonight, appears to have shown the booking of a middleweight…

Dana White denies Israel Adesanya will fight Khamzat Chimaev at UFC Saudi Arabia card leaked

An apparent leak on the official Kingdom Arena website tonight, appears to have shown the booking of a middleweight main event fight between former undisputed divisional champion, Israel Adesanya, and the unbeaten, Khamzat Chimaev for a slated event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 23. next, however, promotional boss, Dana White has firmly shut down suggestions of a bout. 

Adesanya, a former two-time undisputed middleweight champion, has been sidelined since last September, most recently suffering a stunning title loss to former titleholder, Sean Strickland in Australia.

As for Chimaev, the unbeaten Chechen turned in his thirteenth straight win back in October in Abu Dhabi, UAE – landing a close, majority decision win over former undisputed welterweight champion, Kamaru Usman in the co-main event of UFC 294.

And tonight, speculation has been rife on social media regarding an impending comeback for Adesanya, after an apparent leak on the official Kingdom Arena – which appeared to sell tickets to punters for a fight against the above-mentioned, Chimaev – at a set UFC Saudi Arabia event on June 23. 

Israel Adesanya – Khamzat Chimaev fight denied by Dana White

However, soon thereafter amid chatter online, the above-mentioned organizational CEO, White denied that a bout between Israel Adesanya and Khamzat Chimaev was set for June 23. in the Middle East – describing the leak as an apparent “fake post”.

“Not happening,” Dana White posted on his official Instagram Stories accompanied by a fan-made poster featuring Adesanya and Chimaev. “It was a fake post. All the MMA Media thar an with it are the problem. Absolute CLOWNS.” 

Over the course of the weekend, however, Israel Adesanya’s head coach, Eugene Bareman alluded to an impending booking for his student, claiming the City Kickboxing staple had “answered the call” for a bout.

“I can say that, we’re ready to fight,” Eugene Bareman said. “Israel (Adesanya) is ready to fight. He’s in camp – has been in camp. And we answered a call that said, ‘Can you be ready for this?’ And we assessed it because Israel is coming off an injury.”

“We assessed everything and put everything together, and decided as a team, yeah, let’s get into camp, and let’s start to get fit. Let’s come back a little earlier, at some risk – at some proper risk.” Bareman explained. “And there’s a strong possibility that this fight could happen on this date. And let’s act as if we’re fighting on this date.”

Would you like to see Israel Adesanya fight Khamzat Chimaev next?

Sean O’Malley already trying to duck fight with Merab Dvalishvili, would rather face new UFC champ Ilia Topuria

Sean O'Malley talks Merab Dvalishvili fightAccording to Dana White, Merab Dvalishvili is the next man in line for a bantamweight title opportunity. Sean O’Malley…

Sean O'Malley talks Merab Dvalishvili fight

According to Dana White, Merab Dvalishvili is the next man in line for a bantamweight title opportunity. Sean O’Malley doesn’t necessarily agree.

On Saturday night, ‘The Machine’ scored an impressive unanimous decision victory over No. 3 ranked contender Henry Cejudo. It was Dvalishvili’s 10th-straight win inside the Octagon and — according to the UFC CEO — that puts him in pole position to fight the winner of next month’s bantamweight championship clash between reigning titleholder Sean O’Malley and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera at UFC 299.

But it sounds as though O’Malley is already trying to weasel his way out of a potential meeting with ‘The Machine.’

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, ‘Sugar’ appeared to be far more interested in a scrap with newly crowned featherweight king, Ilia Topuria.

“There’s Merab, there’s Cory [Sandhagen], and there’s Ilia [Topuria],” O’Malley said. “Those three are all potentially next, but I’m dialed in and laser-focused on Chito. Whatever happens after that, I’m very confident. Merab’s very beatable. Henry [Cejudo] about knocked him out. Marlon Moraes about knocked him out. Merab’s got a crazy-good gas tank. A lot of wrestling. He’s a dangerous opponent, but when I think of a scary opponent, that’s Ilia.

“He could put your f*cking lights out and change your life. That’s a scary opponent Merab’s a dangerous opponent. He’s got good cardio. He could eventually put your lights out after you gas out, but he couldn’t finish Henry. We’ll see. I like big fights. When you’re grinding through these camps… I’m not saying Merab wouldn’t be up there, but what it comes down to is what do the people really truly want to see. If they want to see Merab, that’s what’s next, but I hate even talking about that. I got Chito next.”

Topuria did exactly what he said he was going to do on Saturday night, sending ex-featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski into the shadow realm via a shocking second-round KO to claim his first UFC gold.

As exciting as O’Malley vs. Topuria sounds, it’s unlikely that the UFC will move forward given that they are two of the promotion’s newest champions. ‘Sugar’ is yet to make his first defense of the bantamweight belt while Topuria is only days removed from his victory over Volkanovski. Perhaps once O’Malley and ‘El Matador’ clear out some of their stacked divisions, we will see a superfight between the two.

10 years after declaring Wanderlei Silva will never be in the Hall of Fame, Dana White to induct ‘The Axe Murderer’

Wanderlei SilvaDana White believes combat sports icon Wanderlei Silva has earned his spot in the UFC Hall of Fame. During…

Wanderlei Silva

Dana White believes combat sports icon Wanderlei Silva has earned his spot in the UFC Hall of Fame.

During the UFC 298 broadcast on Saturday night, ‘The Axe Murderer’ was announced as the next inductee into the 2024 Hall of Fame class. Speaking with the media during his appearance at a post-fight press event, White was adamant that Silva’s contributions to the sport, particularly in its infancy, more than warrant his HoF induction.

“He deserves to be. He deserves to be in the Hall of Fame,” White said of Silva. “Back when me and the Fertitas got into this sport and we were huge Wanderlei Silva fans and you know everybody that was a hardcore fan back then was a big fan of Pride and you know a lot of big stars came out of there and Wanderlei has done a lot for the sport in the early days and he deserves to be in there.”

Interestingly, Silva’s Hall of Fame announcement comes a decade after the UFC CEO once declared that the former PRIDE middleweight champion would never find his name listed in the hallowed halls.

In September 2014, the Nevada State Athletic Commission handed Silva a lifelong ban and a $70,000 fine for allegedly running away from a random drug test earlier in the year.  An incensed White said in a later interview that Silva’s career was forever tarnished and as a result, he would never be inducted.

“Nobody has ever run from a drug test before. I didn’t see a lifetime ban coming. Nobody will let him fight. He’s in a very serious situation,” White said about Silva when speaking to Fox Sports. “There’s going to be no Hall of Fame. The guy’s been Pete Rose’d. There’s going to be no Hall of Fame offers.”

Asked about his past comments, White admitted that he had simply forgotten about his beef with Silva.

“I’ve been in so many beefs with so many people that I didn’t even remember that till you just told me,” White added. “It’s a good thing I forgot it’s a good thing you forgot exactly.”

Silva, who was in attendance at UFC 298, was nothing short of grateful for the honor bestowed upon him by his former employer.

“It’s a dream come true to be part of the sport,” Silva said. “And to have this great support from this beautiful organization. Thanks so much, Dana White, for all what you’re doing for us. I’m so glad to be a part of the best event in the world” (h/t MiddleEasy).

Wanderlei Silva’s legendary career began in Japan where he held the PRIDE middleweight championship for an unprecedented six years. During his run, he competed against a series of bonafide legends, including Mirko Cro Cop, Kazushi Sakuraba, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Mark Hunt, Ricardo Arona, and Dan Henderson.

After his title run in PRIDE came to a close, ‘The Axe Murderer’ signed with the UFC and immediately delivered a Fight of the Year with Chuck Liddell at UFC 79. He would go on to compete against a who’s who of Octagon icons such as Rich Franklin, Michael Bisping, Cung Le, Chris Leben, and Brian Stann.

His last fight came under the Bellator banner in 2018. He closed out his career by going 35-14 with 27 wins by knockout.

Dana White confirms Conor McGregor was never considered for UFC 300, casts doubt on his 2024 return

Conor McGregor and Dana WhiteConor McGregor was never considered for UFC 300. Following Ilia Topuria’s shocking second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to claim…

Conor McGregor and Dana White

Conor McGregor was never considered for UFC 300.

Following Ilia Topuria’s shocking second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight world title in Anaheim, UFC CEO Dana White officially revealed that the UFC 300 main event on April 13 will be a light heavyweight title fight between reigning champion Alex Pereira and returning ex-titleholder Jamahal Hill.

While discussing the struggles of putting the landmark card together at the UFC 298 post-fight presser, White revealed that Conor McGregor was never in the running the headline the event despite a slew of rumors suggesting otherwise. That prompted one reporter to question why exactly it was taking so long for the UFC to book the Irishman’s return.

White was quick to place the blame squarely on McGregor’s shoulders.

“We’ll be thrilled when he comes and fights, but money complicates a lot of things,” White said. “He just filmed a movie, he has to do press for the movie… He does want to fight this year, but we’ll see what happens”

White’s comments seemingly contradict those of McGregor who voiced his frustration over the delay in an interview with talkSPORT in December.

“The lads in the UFC aren’t talking any, the lads here (Saudis) are talking many, the lads in the UFC aren’t talking any …Give me something, it was supposed to be April, it was supposed to be December…no one in the history of the fight game has been treated like I’ve been getting treated. I’m waiting… My patience is running thin,” McGregor said.

So who exactly is to blame?

Unfortunately, we’ll probably never know the truth, but it does sound like McGregor’s previously guaranteed return in 2024 is no longer valid.

Dana White reveals Leon Edwards accepted fights with three different opponents for UFC 300

Dana WhiteDana White praised reigning UFC welterweight world champion Leon Edwards following Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Anaheim. Immediately after Ilia…

Dana White

Dana White praised reigning UFC welterweight world champion Leon Edwards following Saturday’s pay-per-view event in Anaheim.

Immediately after Ilia Topuria’s spectacular second-round knockout of Alexander Volkanovski to claim the featherweight crown, the UFC CEO finally revealed that main event matchup for UFC 300.

On April 13, fans will see the return of former light heavyweight king Jamahal Hill as he faces current champ Alex Pereira for the 205-pound crown. The announcement comes after months of rumors and speculation that had everyone from Khamzat Chimaev to Tom Aspinall earmarked for the highly anticipated headliner.

Leon Edwards was also heavily rumored to feature on the landmark card. Speaking with members of the press, White confirmed that ‘Rocky’ was in negotiations and had accepted fights with no less than three potential opponents for UFC 300.

“We were out there talking to lots of people, trying to make lots of fights, and in this business, it’s about taking opportunities,” White said during the UFC 298 post-fight press conference. “Headlining UFC 300 with all the buzz and all the energy around it… Let me say this. Leon Edwards has had three opponents throughout this thing. Leon Edwards doesn’t say no to anybody. This kid is an absolute stud. He’s had three opponents thrown at him for UFC 300. Yes, yes, yes. He was willing to take on anybody.”

Two of Edwards’ potential opponents were likely No. 2 ranked contender Belal Muhammad and undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev with the third being division standout Shavkat Rakhmonov. Muhammad is widely considered to be the next man in line for a shot at Edwards’ welterweight gold.

With the UFC 300 main event now officially announced, this is how the card stacks up so far:

UFC 300 Main Card:

UFC 300 Prelim Card:

As always, the card is subject to change.