Tag: Dana White

Fighter Who Asked Dana White For A Contract During UFC 308 Presser Gets His Shot At Upcoming Event

“If you don’t ask, the answer’s always no!” — well, that certainly rang true for one rising fighter who passionately made a case for himself at the UFC 308 press conference. At Thursday’s pre-fight presser for the upcoming UFC pay-per-view, a confident 25-year-old Tajikistani fighter named Dorobshokh Nabotov, who claimed to have an undefeated 9-0 […]

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“If you don’t ask, the answer’s always no!” — well, that certainly rang true for one rising fighter who passionately made a case for himself at the UFC 308 press conference.

At Thursday’s pre-fight presser for the upcoming UFC pay-per-view, a confident 25-year-old Tajikistani fighter named Dorobshokh Nabotov, who claimed to have an undefeated 9-0 record, seized the spotlight.

He made a bold appeal to UFC CEO Dana White, asking for the chance to prove he belongs on the promotion’s roster.

Nabotov mentioned that he’s always guided his own career, never relying on a manager, which likely explains his distinctive choice to personally pitch his case to the UFC honcho during the presser.

“Dana, I don’t have a question,” Nabotov said. “I came here for a fight on short notice. I’ve never had a manager, I did it all by myself, please give me a chance. Dana, I want to fight in the UFC. Please give me a chance; I’m ready.”

It seems Nabotov’s wish has come true.

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, the UFC CEO announced that he’s offering the ambitious fighter a chance to earn his place in the UFC later this year.

White revealed he’ll be heading to South Korea in December for the latest installment of Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight, in collaboration with veteran fighter “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung and his promotion. The UFC chief said he’s arranged a fight for Nabotov on the card.

“I’m actually flying to Korea for Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight on YouTube,” White said. “The ‘Korean Zombie’ is putting on a show. He started his own promotion there. December 14, I’m going to have (Jung) put that kid on the card and we’re going to find out what he’s got. If he wins that night, I’ll sign him!”

While Nabotov claimed to have a 9-0 record, Tapology indicates that he is currently 7-0.

He began his professional MMA career in 2018, primarily competing in local promotions. However, that could all change come December.

Continue Reading Fighter Who Asked Dana White For A Contract During UFC 308 Presser Gets His Shot At Upcoming Event at MMA News.

Video: Fan Tells Dana White He’s 9-0, Eyes UFC Fight at Press Conference in Abu Dhabi

During the pre-fight press conference for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, UFC president Dana White did something he’s never done before. During the fan…

During the pre-fight press conference for UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi on Thursday, UFC president Dana White did something he’s never done before. During the fan…

Islam Makhachev’s Manager Puts Dana White’s P4P Stance Down To Promotional Tactics

The manager of Islam Makhachev believes Dana White’s attempt to downplay the UFC lightweight champion’s status as pound-for-pound best is entirely down to his efforts to promote Jon Jones. “Bones,” a former light heavyweight kingpin who captured the heavyweight gold in his divisional debut last year, is set to make his long-awaited return to defend […]

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The manager of Islam Makhachev believes Dana White’s attempt to downplay the UFC lightweight champion’s status as pound-for-pound best is entirely down to his efforts to promote Jon Jones.

“Bones,” a former light heavyweight kingpin who captured the heavyweight gold in his divisional debut last year, is set to make his long-awaited return to defend the belt in the UFC 309 main event next month.

While Jones and the UFC CEO haven’t seen eye to eye in the past, White has been spreading stories of the heavyweight champ’s accolades and his continued superiority on podcasts and during interviews throughout this year.

Among White’s claims is the suggestion that the rankings panel have massively messed up by putting Makhachev in the pound-for-pound top spot over Jones.

During an interview with MMA Fighting, the Dagestani’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, provided his response to White’s continued dismissal of Makhachev as being worthy of the P4P crown.

“Listen, it’s the reason why Dana White is the pound-for-pound greatest promoter on this planet,” Abdelaziz explained. “Jon Jones is fighting next month. He’s fighting a guy (in Stipe Miocic), he’s probably going to be -800 against. (This is) the best way to promote this fight, to promote Jon Jones.

“Dana never promoted Jon Jones for some reason. But now he’s on Jon Jones’ wagon. Guess what? This promotes Jon Jones, too,” Abdelaziz continued. “He can say he’s the greatest of all time. Islam Makhachev right now currently is the pound-for-pound greatest fighter in the world by far. It’s not even second place. But Dana’s Dana. People think he’s talking gospel.”

White isn’t along in disagreeing with Abdelaziz’s take.

Makhachev’s expected next challenger, in-form Russian-Armenian contender Arman Tsarukyan, also put Jones above the lightweight champ while discussing the pound-for-pound order in a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn.

Continue Reading Islam Makhachev’s Manager Puts Dana White’s P4P Stance Down To Promotional Tactics at MMA News.

UFC Rankings Report: Max Holloway Gets Big LW Boost After Dana White’s Complaints

As always, the latest action on offer inside the UFC Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated rankings. And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings. Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes. Women’s Pound-for-Pound: The bad fortune has continued […]

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Max Holloway Gets Big LW Boost After Dana White’s Complaints at MMA News.

As always, the latest action on offer inside the UFC Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated rankings.

And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound: The bad fortune has continued to come for Raquel Pennington. A few weeks on from losing the bantamweight title at UFC 307, “Rocky” has further fallen down the P4P ladder to #9, being usurped by a victor at that event in Kayla Harrison (#8).

Further down, Maycee Barber has entered at #15, replacing former strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos.

Women’s Strawweight: There was just one change at 115 pounds, with the rising Iasmin Lucindo (#7) swapping places with her fellow countrywoman Amanda Lemos (#8).

Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

Flyweight: The biggest mover this week was Asu Almabayev, who has climbed a mammoth seven places to #7 after defeating Matheus Nicolau this past weekend. The defeated Brazilian, meanwhile, has dropped three spots to #10.

Further down, Charles Johnson’s latest victory this year has earned him the #15 spot. His entry has seen the removal of Matt Schnell, who announced his plans to retire earlier this year.

Bantamweight: Rob Font returned to winning ways at the expense of Kyler Phillips in Saturday’s co-headliner. As a result, the longtime contender has climbed one position to share #9 with Mario Bautista.

Featherweight: No changes.

Lightweight: Not long after UFC CEO Dana White used Max Holloway’s low spot in the 155-pound rankings as evidence that change is needed, “Blessed” has received a big boost. Ahead of his featherweight title challenge, the Hawaiian has risen by three places to #5 in the lightweight division.

That’s meant Dan Hooker’s stay in the top five was a brief one, with the New Zealander down to #6 after initially returning to the upper echelon of the weight class following a win over Mateusz Gamrot.

Welterweight: No changes.

Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez has received a small reward for his main event win over Michel Pereira on Oct. 19. He’s up one spot to #12, leaving Khamzat Chimaev a position worse off at #13.

Light Heavyweight: After being snubbed of the latest shot at champion Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev has moved up one place to share the #1 rank in the division alongside former titleholder Ji?í Procházka.

Lower down the pecking order, Volkan Oezdemir has been relegated two spots to #8, providing small boosts for Nikita Krylov (#6) and recent title challenger Khalil Rountree (#7).

Heavyweight: No changes.

You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Max Holloway Gets Big LW Boost After Dana White’s Complaints at MMA News.

UFC Rankings Report: Max Holloway Gets Big LW Boost After Dana White’s Complaints

As always, the latest action on offer inside the UFC Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated rankings. And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings. Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes. Women’s Pound-for-Pound: The bad fortune has continued […]

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Max Holloway Gets Big LW Boost After Dana White’s Complaints at MMA News.

As always, the latest action on offer inside the UFC Octagon has been followed by the release of the updated rankings.

And in the aftermath of UFC Fight Night: Anthony Hernandez vs. Michel Pereira, MMA News has you covered with this week’s updates to the official UFC rankings.

Men’s Pound-For-Pound: No changes.

Women’s Pound-for-Pound: The bad fortune has continued to come for Raquel Pennington. A few weeks on from losing the bantamweight title at UFC 307, “Rocky” has further fallen down the P4P ladder to #9, being usurped by a victor at that event in Kayla Harrison (#8).

Further down, Maycee Barber has entered at #15, replacing former strawweight title challenger Amanda Lemos.

Women’s Strawweight: There was just one change at 115 pounds, with the rising Iasmin Lucindo (#7) swapping places with her fellow countrywoman Amanda Lemos (#8).

Women’s Flyweight: No changes.

Women’s Bantamweight: No changes.

Flyweight: The biggest mover this week was Asu Almabayev, who has climbed a mammoth seven places to #7 after defeating Matheus Nicolau this past weekend. The defeated Brazilian, meanwhile, has dropped three spots to #10.

Further down, Charles Johnson’s latest victory this year has earned him the #15 spot. His entry has seen the removal of Matt Schnell, who announced his plans to retire earlier this year.

Bantamweight: Rob Font returned to winning ways at the expense of Kyler Phillips in Saturday’s co-headliner. As a result, the longtime contender has climbed one position to share #9 with Mario Bautista.

Featherweight: No changes.

Lightweight: Not long after UFC CEO Dana White used Max Holloway’s low spot in the 155-pound rankings as evidence that change is needed, “Blessed” has received a big boost. Ahead of his featherweight title challenge, the Hawaiian has risen by three places to #5 in the lightweight division.

That’s meant Dan Hooker’s stay in the top five was a brief one, with the New Zealander down to #6 after initially returning to the upper echelon of the weight class following a win over Mateusz Gamrot.

Welterweight: No changes.

Middleweight: Anthony Hernandez has received a small reward for his main event win over Michel Pereira on Oct. 19. He’s up one spot to #12, leaving Khamzat Chimaev a position worse off at #13.

Light Heavyweight: After being snubbed of the latest shot at champion Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev has moved up one place to share the #1 rank in the division alongside former titleholder Ji?í Procházka.

Lower down the pecking order, Volkan Oezdemir has been relegated two spots to #8, providing small boosts for Nikita Krylov (#6) and recent title challenger Khalil Rountree (#7).

Heavyweight: No changes.

You can view the full updated UFC rankings here.

Continue Reading UFC Rankings Report: Max Holloway Gets Big LW Boost After Dana White’s Complaints at MMA News.

Feud Squashed! Conor McGregor Embraces Chael Sonnen’s High Praise as UFC Legend Teases Comeback

Feud Squashed! Conor McGregor Embraces Chael Sonnen’s High Praise as UFC Legend Teases ComebackConor McGregor and Chael Sonnen have seemingly squashed their beef. ‘Mystic Mac’ has not stepped foot inside the Octagon…

Feud Squashed! Conor McGregor Embraces Chael Sonnen’s High Praise as UFC Legend Teases Comeback

Conor McGregor and Chael Sonnen have seemingly squashed their beef.

‘Mystic Mac’ has not stepped foot inside the Octagon in more than three years, but despite the drought, the former two-division champion remains adamant that he’ll be back in the cage before long.

Conor McGregor

Of course, not everyone is convinced, but whether or not we ever see him dawn the four-ounce gloves again, ‘The American Gangster’ truly believes that McGregor may have been the best the sport has ever seen.

“Conor McGregor, what will his legacy be? Have we forgotten how great he was? 145 and 155 are the most difficult weight classes in the sport,” Sonnen said in a video on social media. “Conor was the champion of both divisions simultaneously. That is insane. Conor McGregor has won so many world championships that he forgot one. He’s a champ, champ, champ. He forgot that he won the interim championship. I was there. I watched his fight with Chad Mendes.”

“He had to beat the greatest 145 pounder to ever live. He ended up doing it in 11 seconds. He parlays that into one of the baddest dudes I have ever met – Eddie Alvarez. He took that, he parlayed it against the greatest boxer that sport has ever seen and went 30 minutes with him… Conor McGregor was truly, perhaps, the best fighter that’s ever done this” (h/t Sportskeeda).

Conor McGregor Responds to Sonnen’s Praise

The praise from Sonnen got back to McGregor and appears to have helped squash the longstanding beef between the two combat sports icons.

McGregor shared Sonnen’s video on Instagram along with a message reiterating that he’s far from done in the world of mixed martial arts.

“I [am] not done,” McGregor wrote. “It’s too handy for me to come back at any time at all and just swipe the game up again entirely. Every walk is a record.”

Conor McGregor

McGregor previously revealed that a fight between himself and Dan Hooker was in the works for February 1 in Saudi Arabia. Dana White approved of the pairing, but Hooker was quick to squash any possibility of the fight happening in February with his wife due to give birth around the same time.

“I’m good to go in January or March,” Hooker told Helen Yee Sports. “The missus is due [for a baby in] February, so no can go. I’ve got a little girl on the way.

Sounds like everyone is on board. It’s just a matter of hammering out a date that works.

Conor McGregor