Tag: Dana White

Frank Mir vs. Alistair Overeem Is Do or Die for Both Fighters

Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem are facing the worst runs in their extensive mixed martial arts careers. The two will be battling for their futures when they face each other at UFC 167 in November.
UFC president Dana White has spoken of how important th…

Frank Mir and Alistair Overeem are facing the worst runs in their extensive mixed martial arts careers. The two will be battling for their futures when they face each other at UFC 167 in November.

UFC president Dana White has spoken of how important the fight is for both heavyweights.

According to MMA Fighting, when asked whether the fight was “do or die” for both men, White answered, “Definitely.” 

Both fighters are riding career-threatening losing streaks, although Mir, with three straight losses to Overeem’s two, is in a much more precarious situation.

Mir has been fighting in the UFC since 2001 and is a former heavyweight champion. However, he hasn’t won a match since submitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in 2011. The three losses he’s stacked up—to Junior dos Santos, Daniel Cormier and Josh Barnett—amount to the worst streak of his career.

Overeem, by contrast, only joined the UFC two years ago, riding a formidable run in Strikeforce, Dream and the K1 kickboxing tournament. He quickly established himself in the promotion by finishing former champion Brock Lesnar in the first round. But after a failed drug test and two KO losses to Antonio Silva and Travis Browne, the Dutch fighter could become the biggest bust in UFC history.

Per Tom Ngo of 5th Round, Overeem made $264,285 (with about half coming from a win bonus) for beating Lesnar and $285,714 in his loss to Silva. Mir took home $200,000 in each of his last two fights. That’s enough for both fighters to buy a whole range of tv stands.

The pair will fight on the UFC 167 undercard taking place in Las Vegas on Nov. 16. The card will be headlined by a title fight between welterweights Georges St-Pierre and Johny Hendricks.

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Floyd Mayweather: ‘I Want to Promote MMA Fighters’

It feels like just yesterday that boxing and MMA were the biggest enemies in sports, and Floyd Mayweather and his entourage always seemed to be somewhere close to the action. Now, though, that tune has changed in a massive way.
In an interview with Fig…

It feels like just yesterday that boxing and MMA were the biggest enemies in sports, and Floyd Mayweather and his entourage always seemed to be somewhere close to the action. Now, though, that tune has changed in a massive way.

In an interview with Fight Hype, Mayweather opened up on his interest in getting into the MMA business. 

I want to promote MMA fighters also. We lookin‘ to promote MMA fighters…You know, Al Haymon is looking to manage MMA fighters. Even though Al Haymon hasn’t came on record and said it, but I want Al to manage MMA fighters. I think I can take it to the next level.

If there’s one thing Floyd “Money” Mayweather knows (other than boxing), it’s dollar signs. What makes this such a surprise, though, is Mayweather’s famous anti-MMA quotes. Mayweather famously stated in a 2011 interview with CBS Sports that MMA was created out of a desire to see Caucasians succeed in combat sports due to their recent floundering in boxing. Earlier this year, leading into his fight with Robert Guerrero, he hinted during an interview with Showtime that his opponent’s dirty, unrefined style was better suited for MMA.

Mayweather hasn’t been the only one to fire shots, though, as UFC commentator Joe Rogan recently stated the pound-for-pound greatest boxer in the world “would get killed by an average college wrestler” in a street fight.

While Mayweather expressing his interest in MMA was a bit surprising on its own, that wasn’t even the craziest part of the interview. That came when Mayweather stated “You know, I don’t mind doing business with Dana White. Dana White’s a cool guy. I’ve been knowing Dana before he got involved with the MMA.”

The UFC’s president has been famously critical of Mayweather. He labeled the boxer a racist for comments he made on Jeremy Lin in 2012. White also criticized Mayweather for his refusal to fight fellow champion Manny Pacquiao over pay structure.

This, in turn, would set off a war of words with members of Mayweather’s entourage.

Evidently, though, any sort of bad blood has been set aside. Dana White was photographed alongside UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, as well as The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 contestants Jessamyn Duke and Raquel Pennington at Mayweather’s latest fight, opposite Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

It will be interesting to see how all this pans out.

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Ken Shamrock Rips Dana White on Twitter over Fighter Pay

Ken Shamrock voiced his displeasure about fighter treatment and pay Monday evening on Twitter, calling out UFC President Dana White in the process. 
After receiving the above YouTube video in a tweet (h/t MMAjunkie.com) from a concerned fan, Shamr…

Ken Shamrock voiced his displeasure about fighter treatment and pay Monday evening on Twitter, calling out UFC President Dana White in the process. 

After receiving the above YouTube video in a tweet (h/t MMAjunkie.com) from a concerned fan, Shamrock and UFC Hall of Fame inductee Randy Couture chimed in on the topic, echoing the video’s sentiments about fighter pay. 

 

 

While Couture sounded off first, Shamrock promptly took the mic and commanded it for the remainder of the set, as he touched upon fighter pay and the overall lack of respect fighters receive from White. 

So what [you’re] saying is that the fighters did not make the ufc what it is today, that disrespectful promoter did all of that. Wow, what a smart guy you are. Why didn’t I think of that? Who needs fighters when you can just disrespect the guys who made your promotion and talk trash and make loads of money and not give what is partially the fighters money.

This is not uncharted land for Shamrock. 

In an April 2013 video filmed for The FightNetwork, Shamrock used firsthand experience and observations to make these claims: 

I don’t like to see people get taken advantage of, and I speak my mind when I see something wrong and other people are being hurt…I’ve seen things that are wrong. I see the lies that are being told. I know the money that is being made, and I know that people are being lied to…There’s more money being made there, and they’re lying to people about the money being made. 

A 2012 ESPN article detailed fighters’ reluctance to discuss fighter pay, saying that the topic activates their “flight instincts.” 

On the other hand, legends like Chuck Liddell have spoken candidly on the subject, concluding that the pay scale is more than fair for fighters, while White himself consistently tosses positive metrics back in the faces of critics. 

The fact that fighter pay is a recurring theme—one that we’ve seen discussed for years—tells me that the situation is not perfect.

While Shamrock and Couture are not exactly UFC advocates at this point in their respective careers, ex-UFC fighters like Jon Fitch, Jacob Volkmann and John Cholish have also expressed their discontent with the organization’s pay scale. 

There is no doubt that the top fighters enjoy significantly steeper pay grades than undercard inhabitants, but, as Liddell points out, those who continue to win impressively will reap the rewards. 

Shamrock, still displeased by the video and the ensuing conversation it spawned, capped off his tirade by reminding White where to direct the credit for his successes: 

 

 

Whose corner do you find yourself backing? Does each side make a relevant point concerning fighter treatment and pay? 

Sound off, and we’ll discuss this ever-burning issue. 

 

Like MMA, heavy metal and life’s absurdities? 

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Fight Booking Alert: Pat Barry vs. Soa Palelei on for UFC Dec. 7 Australia Card


(UFC Heavyweight Pat Barry | Photo by Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

The UFC Fight Night 33 card taking place this December in Brisbane, Australia has just picked up its third match up as heavyweights Pat Barry and Soa Palelei are now set to face one another. Barry is coming off a TKO loss to Shawn Jordan at UFC 161 this past June and Palelei off a UFC debut win just over two weeks ago at UFC 164.

Palelei’s win is almost being treated like a loss by some, notably UFC President Dana White who, after UFC 164, criticized Palelei’s bout with Nikita Krylov saying that the fight was a poor representation of what UFC-level fighting is, calling the fight “sloppy” and the fighters poorly conditioned. We can’t yet know what kind of shape Barry and Palelei will come in to their fight in but we can make an educated guess that at least Barry will make the bout exciting.

Also already booked on the Brisbane card is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. James Te Huna and Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt.

– Elias Cepeda


(UFC Heavyweight Pat Barry | Photo by Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

The UFC Fight Night 33 card taking place this December in Brisbane, Australia has just picked up its third match up as heavyweights Pat Barry and Soa Palelei are now set to face one another. Barry is coming off a TKO loss to Shawn Jordan at UFC 161 this past June and Palelei off a UFC debut win just over two weeks ago at UFC 164.

Palelei’s win is almost being treated like a loss by some, notably UFC President Dana White who, after UFC 164, criticized Palelei’s bout with Nikita Krylov saying that the fight was a poor representation of what UFC-level fighting is, calling the fight “sloppy” and the fighters poorly conditioned. We can’t yet know what kind of shape Barry and Palelei will come in to their fight in but we can make an educated guess that at least Barry will make the bout exciting.

Also already booked on the Brisbane card is Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. James Te Huna and Antonio Silva vs. Mark Hunt.

– Elias Cepeda

UFC Benevolent of the Day: Dana White Pays for Injured TUF 18 Tim Gorman’s Hamstring Surgery, Offers ‘Shot’ in Promotion


(No, that is not a lady’s hind quarters. It is Tim Gorman’s injured leg. And, some really fancy shorts. | Photo via @TimmyGormanMMA)

This week we learned that in addition to being a cocky loud mouth, The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 (TUF 18) cast member Tim Gorman, is also a committed, tough s.o.b. The male bantamweight tore a hamstring clear off before getting his chance to fight his way into the TUF house, still fought, won and looked to move through the season.

Meisha Tate and her coaching staff noticed that Gorman was hobbling around during early practices and asked him to explain, at which point he showed the results of his nasty injury (also photographed up top). Gorman was forced to get an M.R.I. scan, which confirmed that his hamstring was royally screwed and Dana White made him leave the TUF House over the fighter’s protests. Which, of course, led to this freeloading no goodnik getting another chance.

During a google hangout Thursday White told fans that Gorman will also get another chance in the UFC, however. “The kid’s a nutball, he’s a lunatic,” Uncle Dana said. “I like that, that’s not a bad thing. He wanted to continue to fight, I respect that. He’ll get another shot in the UFC, we’ll give him a shot.”

Great news for Gorman. Even better, Timmy went on The Underground forum and wrote that White personally paid for his much-needed hamstring surgery. The UFC’s health insurance policy didn’t cover Gorman’s medical procedures because they were treatment for a “pre-existing” condition, ie. he hurt himself before he stepped into the Octagon or UFC Training Center.

Gorman’s UG post below:


(No, that is not a lady’s hind quarters. It is Tim Gorman’s injured leg. And, some really fancy shorts. | Photo via @TimmyGormanMMA)

This week we learned that in addition to being a cocky loud mouth, The Ultimate Fighter Season 18 (TUF 18) cast member Tim Gorman, is also a committed, tough s.o.b. The male bantamweight tore a hamstring clear off before getting his chance to fight his way into the TUF house, still fought, won and looked to move through the season.

Meisha Tate and her coaching staff noticed that Gorman was hobbling around during early practices and asked him to explain, at which point he showed the results of his nasty injury (also photographed up top). Gorman was forced to get an M.R.I. scan, which confirmed that his hamstring was royally screwed and Dana White made him leave the TUF House over the fighter’s protests. Which, of course, led to this freeloading no goodnik getting another chance.

During a google hangout Thursday White told fans that Gorman will also get another chance in the UFC, however. “The kid’s a nutball, he’s a lunatic,” Uncle Dana said. “I like that, that’s not a bad thing. He wanted to continue to fight, I respect that. He’ll get another shot in the UFC, we’ll give him a shot.”

Great news for Gorman. Even better, Timmy went on The Underground forum and wrote that White personally paid for his much-needed hamstring surgery. The UFC’s health insurance policy didn’t cover Gorman’s medical procedures because they were treatment for a “pre-existing” condition, ie. he hurt himself before he stepped into the Octagon or UFC Training Center.

Gorman’s UG post below:

“Yeah Dana and TUF producers went beyond what they should have to make me feel welcome from the start and after I was sent home. My hamstring was torn off the bone the week of the fight (so yes, I fought to get in the house like that), so they couldn’t cover a pre-existing injury. They were so nice even after my injury fucked their show up. Being on that show meant the world to me but the way they treated me made the whole experience lifechanging. I could go on for days with true genuine nice things about TUF producers (Jamie and Gary), Dana, Sean Shelby and everyone else including the the camera guys.

Anyone talking shit about Dana or anyone behind the scenes with UFC or TUF is a piece of shit liar or they did something to UFC/TUF and got what they deserved.

When I thought my life was over and couldn’t even afford to pay the medical bills, they kept me positive and paid for everything out of their own pocket when my manager or I didn’t tell them I didn’t have the money.

They have more heart than they do anything and anyone who says different is a fool.”

We may never find out if a woman can submit lil Timmy Gorman but it’s great news that neither he nor the UFC are letting his nasty hamstring injury KO him. We can’t imagine staying conscious through the type of pain he must have felt with his torn hamstring, much less fight and win in the UFC Octagon.

Yes, he’s obnoxious. But also, the kid’s got guts. And talent. Now he’ll get a second chance to show both in the UFC.

– Elias Cepeda

Tim Gorman’s Injury Pre-Existing; Dana White and TUF Producers Pay Medical Bills

Tim Gorman’s dream of winning The Ultimate Fighter crashed during last night’s episode when it was revealed he suffered a torn hamstring and would be unable to continue in the competition.
Gorman was an early favorite to go far in the bantamweight side…

Tim Gorman’s dream of winning The Ultimate Fighter crashed during last night’s episode when it was revealed he suffered a torn hamstring and would be unable to continue in the competition.

Gorman was an early favorite to go far in the bantamweight side of the bracket, but the leg injury prevented him from going further than the elimination round.

As more information was made available about Gorman’s condition, it turns out he actually suffered the injury prior to making it to the reality show, but he refused to give up his shot and fought on the torn hamstring in the opening round.

According to Gorman’s manager, Ryan Hass of EVO Agents, in a statement received by Bleacher Report on Thursday, the fighter was definitely not 100 percent going into his first fight but had no intention of giving up his spot.

Now the bad part about going into The Ultimate Fighter with a pre-existing injury is the fact that the UFC’s medical insurance for the fighters wouldn’t pay to fix his damaged leg. Gorman didn’t actually hurt the leg during the competition, so the insurance couldn’t cover his torn hamstring.

Hass says UFC president Dana White along with the producers behind The Ultimate Fighter were so supportive of Gorman during this process that they actually paid his entire medical bill out of their own pockets because insurance wouldn’t cover it.

The bantamweight prospect underwent therapy for the torn hamstring, and his manager says Gorman is already healed up and hopes to fight as early as January.

As disappointed as Gorman was about missing out on his chance to win The Ultimate Fighter, he can be happy in the fact that his next fight will take place in the UFC.

White confirmed on Thursday during a Google Hangout session on Fox Sports that Gorman will get a shot in the UFC regardless of how he exited The Ultimate Fighter.

“The kid’s a nutball, he’s a lunatic. I like that, that’s not a bad thing. He wanted to continue to fight, I respect that,” White said. “He’ll get another shot in the UFC, we’ll give him a shot.”

Gorman can now fully focus on his rehab and training as he awaits the call for his first fight in the UFC presumably either late this year or early 2014.

 

Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report

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