Tag: Dana White

Tom Aspinall Reacts to Dana White Jumping Ship From ‘Bones’ to Makhachev in P4P Dispute

Dana WhiteLast year, Dana White couldn’t stop himself from calling Jon Jones the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world….

Dana White

Last year, Dana White couldn’t stop himself from calling Jon Jones the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Now, the UFC CEO is reversing course after seeing Islam Makhachev make quick work of short-notice replacement opponent Renato Moicano at the promotion’s first pay-per-view of the year.

gettyimages 2194086154 612x612 1

Makhachev scored a quick-fire submission victory over Moicano after his originally scheduled opponent, Arman Tsarukyan, bowed out of their lightweight championship headliner mere hours before they were scheduled to make the walk in Los Angeles.

Notching his fourth-straight defense of the 155-pound crown, Makhachev solidified his spot as the No. 1 ranked P4P fighter in the world and Dana White couldn’t agree more.

“There’s no doubt about it,” White said during the UFC 311 post-fight press conference. “He’s the best pound-for-pound in the world right now and he’s the definitely the best to ever do it in that division.” 

It’s quite the change from where we were just a few months ago when White was getting into heated debates with journalists over Jones’ undeniable status as the greatest of all time.

But White’s comments mean very little to Tom Aspinall, the man slated to square off with ‘Bones’ later this year.

“Now we’re seeing Dana White coming out and saying that he’s the pound-for-pound No. 1 in the world, Islam Makhachev,” Aspinall said in a video on his YouTube channel. “As we all know, to me, pound-for-pound is a lot of made-up stuff. I don’t look into that. But it’s just funny that he’s kind of jumped ship now from Jon Jones to Islam… Islam did what he was supposed to do: went out there, fought whoever was put in front of him, which is what a champion is supposed to do.”

Dana White Confident Jones vs. Aspinall goes down in 2025

Following Jon Jones’ win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, attention quickly turned to a long-awaited title indication clash with Aspinall, the promotion’s interim heavyweight titleholder. During an appearance on The Jim Rome Show, White expressed confidence that the fight will get done in 2025.

“We’re in the works, we’re talking on it,” White said. “I mean, I’ve said that I’m very confident that fight happens this year… Nothing’s holding it up. It’s just a matter of getting it done. You know, this stuff, it’s not as easy to put these types of fights together as people think they are. They take time, and we’ll get it done.”

Screenshot 2024 11 11 at 13

Just a few short weeks ago, rumors began swirling that Jones was seeking a massive $30 million payday for his scrap with Aspinall. However, Dana White called bullsh*t on the rumors, but only after Joe Rogan repeated it during an episode of his JRE podcast.

gettyimages 2184596885 612x612 1 1

UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Claps Back at Dana White’s Injury Remarks!

UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Claps Back at Dana White’s Injury Remarks!Arman Tsarukyan didn’t take kindly to Dana White’s implication that he could have fought at UFC 311. Hours before…

UFC Star Arman Tsarukyan Claps Back at Dana White’s Injury Remarks!

Arman Tsarukyan didn’t take kindly to Dana White’s implication that he could have fought at UFC 311.

Hours before he was scheduled to step on the scale for his first UFC title opportunity, Tsarukyan bowed out of his lightweight headliner with Islam Makhachev citing a back injury. As a result, Renato Moicano was pulled from his main card slot against Beneil Dariush and thrust into the main event spotlight.

gettyimages 2194304437 612x612 3

Following the event, White declared in no uncertain terms that Tsarukyan’s title fight against Makhachev would not be rebooked. Instead, the Armenian will have to go “back to the drawing” board and climb his way back up the contender’s ladder.

“He’s going back to the drawing board,” White said at the post-fight press conference. “You miss opportunities sometimes, and he did. We’ll see how this plays out for him next year… He’s not getting the title shot, that means he’s going to have to fight his way back to the title.”

While Tsarukyan seemed to agree with his boss, suggesting a rematch with Charles Oliveira as his next fight. But ‘Ahalkalakets’ also addressed White’s insinuation that he could have competed in Los Angeles.

“Maybe a doctor told him I could fight, I don’t know… I wanted to be in this fight more than anyone,” Tsarukyan said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “Even if I lost but looked good… I could have made good money, but I couldn’t walk.”

Arman Tsarukyan details devastating back injury

In that same interview with Helwani, Tsarukyan offered some insight into the injury that took him out of UFC 311.

“Wednesday after training, I went to sleep, and I started to feel my lower back, and I couldn’t sleep all night and thought something happened,” Tsarukyan said. “[I] took some painkiller, but it didn’t help. The next day, I thought it’s going to be good, and after [the] press conference, I’m going to start my weight cut. And when I started my weight cut, I was doing [the] bike, and like, that moment, my back was stuck, and I couldn’t move.”

Tsarukyan is 8-1 under the UFC banner and is currently sitting on a four-fight win streak with his most notable victories coming against Beneil Dariush and ‘Do Bronx.’

gettyimages 1827658862 612x612 1

Renato Moicano Urges Dana White To Book His Next Fight Just Days On From UFC 311 Setback

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano is already looking ahead to his next assignment — and a grudge that he wants to settle in 2025. Moicano was the recipient of a surprise title shot this past weekend in Los Angeles, where MMA’s leading promotion opened its pay-per-view account for 2025 with UFC 311 from the Intuit […]

UFC lightweight contender Renato Moicano is already looking ahead to his next assignment — and a grudge that he wants to settle in 2025.

Moicano was the recipient of a surprise title shot this past weekend in Los Angeles, where MMA’s leading promotion opened its pay-per-view account for 2025 with UFC 311 from the Intuit Dome.

Originally scheduled to do battle with Beneil Dariush on the main card, Moicano found himself making the walk for the headliner and sharing the Octagon with champion Islam Makhachev.

His sudden title shot came about after the late withdrawal of Arman Tsarukyan. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, he was unable to shock the world on 24 hours’ notice, instead falling to a submission in the first round.

While some may say it’s difficult to criticize the fan favorite’s efforts given the manner in which his first championship opportunity arrived, longtime rival Paddy Pimblett found a way.

“The Baddy” berated the Brazilian in a reaction video, questioning why he tapped so quickly instead of ‘going out on his shield’. Those remarks sparked a tense back and forth between the pair on social media, reigniting talk of a clash inside the Octagon from 2024.

Moicano, for one, is keen for it to come to fruition as soon as possible.

“@danawhite just book this fight already,” he wrote on X.

While Moicano is licking his wounds following an unsuccessful opening outing in 2025 and title shot, Pimblett remains without a date in the calendar for his next bout.

With that in mind, perhaps the #13-ranked lightweight will find himself with the chance to back up his promise to replicate Makhachev’s performance against the Brazilian later this year.

Arman Tsarukyan Has Surprising Reaction To Dana White Taking Away Title Shot After UFC 311 Withdrawal

It would seem that Arman Tsarukyan is no longer the number one contender at 155 pounds. Tsarukyan was gearing up last week for his first shot at championship glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Instead of that, however, he watched on as Islam Makhachev shared the cage with Renato Moicano at UFC 311. That […]

It would seem that Arman Tsarukyan is no longer the number one contender at 155 pounds.

Tsarukyan was gearing up last week for his first shot at championship glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Instead of that, however, he watched on as Islam Makhachev shared the cage with Renato Moicano at UFC 311.

That came about after the Armenian withdrew on weigh-in day after sustaining a back injury. Moicano was subsequently pulled from his main card clash with Beneil Dariush and handed a sudden title opportunity, which he was unable to capitalize on.

After quickly submitting the Brazilian by way of a D’Arce choke, Makhachev’s reign has reached a record-breaking four successful defenses. And when it comes to his attempt at a fifth, there’s some uncertainty over opposition.

During his press conference inside the Intuit Dome, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Tsarukyan would not be keeping his title shot following his injury dropout.

Interestingly, that decision has been supported by the man himself.

“I agree with @danawhite. Once my back heals, I’ll be ready to prove I’m the true #1 contender by taking on anyone they put in front of me!” Tsarukyan wrote on X.

Tsarukyan also identified a potential opponent, green-lighting a rematch with Charles Oliveira in a subsequent post.

After recording a second win over Michael Chandler last November, “Do Bronx” was expecting to face the winner of the original UFC 311 main event later this year.

But with the division appearing to be without a definitive next in line — assuming White’s remarks on Tsarukyan’s status prove true — perhaps the Brazilian will have the chance to avenge his UFC 300 setback to the Armenian.

Arman Tsarukyan Has Surprising Reaction To Dana White Taking Away Title Shot After UFC 311 Withdrawal

It would seem that Arman Tsarukyan is no longer the number one contender at 155 pounds. Tsarukyan was gearing up last week for his first shot at championship glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Instead of that, however, he watched on as Islam Makhachev shared the cage with Renato Moicano at UFC 311. That […]

It would seem that Arman Tsarukyan is no longer the number one contender at 155 pounds.

Tsarukyan was gearing up last week for his first shot at championship glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage. Instead of that, however, he watched on as Islam Makhachev shared the cage with Renato Moicano at UFC 311.

That came about after the Armenian withdrew on weigh-in day after sustaining a back injury. Moicano was subsequently pulled from his main card clash with Beneil Dariush and handed a sudden title opportunity, which he was unable to capitalize on.

After quickly submitting the Brazilian by way of a D’Arce choke, Makhachev’s reign has reached a record-breaking four successful defenses. And when it comes to his attempt at a fifth, there’s some uncertainty over opposition.

During his press conference inside the Intuit Dome, UFC CEO Dana White announced that Tsarukyan would not be keeping his title shot following his injury dropout.

Interestingly, that decision has been supported by the man himself.

“I agree with @danawhite. Once my back heals, I’ll be ready to prove I’m the true #1 contender by taking on anyone they put in front of me!” Tsarukyan wrote on X.

Tsarukyan also identified a potential opponent, green-lighting a rematch with Charles Oliveira in a subsequent post.

After recording a second win over Michael Chandler last November, “Do Bronx” was expecting to face the winner of the original UFC 311 main event later this year.

But with the division appearing to be without a definitive next in line — assuming White’s remarks on Tsarukyan’s status prove true — perhaps the Brazilian will have the chance to avenge his UFC 300 setback to the Armenian.

VIDEO: UFC 311 Post-Fight Press Conference After Islam Makhachev, Merab Dvalishvili’s Headline Wins

The UFC 311 pay-per-view recently concluded, and MMA News has you covered with the post-fight press conference in Los Angeles. The Intuit Dome played host to Octagon action on Jan. 18, as the mixed martial arts leader opened its PPV schedule for 2025 with a strong lineup that featured two championships, top contenders, experienced veterans, […]

The UFC 311 pay-per-view recently concluded, and MMA News has you covered with the post-fight press conference in Los Angeles.

The Intuit Dome played host to Octagon action on Jan. 18, as the mixed martial arts leader opened its PPV schedule for 2025 with a strong lineup that featured two championships, top contenders, experienced veterans, and some promising prospects.

Of note were victories for Islam Makhachev, Merab Dvalishvili, Ji?í Procházka, Jailton Almeida and Reinier de Ridder.

And before attention turns to the UFC Fight Night in Saudi Arabia early next month, there remains some business to attend to backstage at UFC 311.

Shortly after the main event’s ending, Dana White will appear in front of the media to reveal the recipients of the Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night bonuses before answering questions. The victorious fighters from UFC 311 will also take queries from the press in reaction to their performances.

With that said, see below for a live stream of the UFC 311 post-fight press conference via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 1:15 AM ET.