Tag: UFC 146

Dana White and the UFC Seeking Policy to Test Thier Own Fighters

Performance-enhancing drugs have been landing some of MMA’s prominent fighters in hot water recently, and UFC president Dana White is hoping to put an end to it as soon as possible.The outspoken boss recently sat down for an exclusive interview with th…

Performance-enhancing drugs have been landing some of MMA’s prominent fighters in hot water recently, and UFC president Dana White is hoping to put an end to it as soon as possible.

The outspoken boss recently sat down for an exclusive interview with the Los Angeles Times to discuss the impact that PEDs have had on the sport and how he intends to stop it.

“The steroid, [performance-enhancing drug] thing affects the whole sport. The key is to make sure these guys never get on it, because once they do, they change,” White told the Los Angeles Times. 

Ahead of this weekend’s upcoming event, UFC 146 in Las Vegas, the company originally scheduled a headliner between two of the sport’s dominant heavyweights in Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem.

But Overeem would be replaced by UFC veteran Frank Mir after the Dutchman failed his pre-fight drug test.

The negative publicity Overeem’s drug test brought upon the UFC has prompted White to take immediate action and assure that the company institutes a clean, drug-free environment.

“We’re going to do our own testing, order these guys into [a lab]; we’re sorting it out now. You have to do this to save the sport,” he said. 

“You can’t have these guys fighting on this stuff.”

Say what you will about how White conducts himself in front of the media, but when it comes to protecting his brand’s image, he will do whatever it takes to get it done. 

His passion for the sport is evident, and by setting up a drug policy for the UFC, White is hoping to provide a safe, clean atmosphere where professional athletes can compete at the highest level without gaining any unfair advantage over their opponents.

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UFC 146: Dan Hardy and 7 UFC Stars Who Are Dangerously Close to Getting Cut

When he squares off against Duane Ludwig this weekend at UFC 146, there is little doubt that Dan Hardy will be fighting for his job. If Hardy fighting for his job sounds familiar, it probably is. Most fans expected to see Hardy get his pink slip after …

When he squares off against Duane Ludwig this weekend at UFC 146, there is little doubt that Dan Hardy will be fighting for his job.

If Hardy fighting for his job sounds familiar, it probably is. Most fans expected to see Hardy get his pink slip after losing to Chris Lytle last fall, as it was his fourth straight UFC loss.

Instead, UFC Owner Lorenzo Fertitta decided to give Hardy one last chance and since Lorenzo likes guys that “WAR”, it may be a good idea for Hardy to put on a show against Ludwig.

While Hardy is the most obvious fighter that is dangerously close to being sent to the unemployment line, the UFC is ripe with fan favorites and aging legends that are quickly entering the twilight of their UFC careers.

Any of the guys on this list could be out of work if they don’t emerge victorious in their next bout, and for some it may mean the end of their career entirely.

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UFC 146: Info and Predictions for Every Fight on the Card

UFC 146 ends one of the most fun months in MMA that I can remember. It’s the first time that the UFC has ever put together an all-heavyweight main card culminating with Junior Dos Santos defending his title against Frank Mir. The card has seen a l…

UFC 146 ends one of the most fun months in MMA that I can remember. It’s the first time that the UFC has ever put together an all-heavyweight main card culminating with Junior Dos Santos defending his title against Frank Mir. 

The card has seen a lot of changes, mostly stemming from Overeem’s test for elevated levels of testosterone (14:1 T:E). With so many heavyweight bouts, this card promises to have long-term consequences for the division. There are also some interesting bouts on the undercard which could see some prospects move to the upper tier of their divisions. 

With the matches set and the fighters arriving in Vegas for the event, let’s breakdown every fight on the card. 

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Quote of the Day: Dana White on Drug Testing — “We’re Sorting it Out”


(Who’s got at least one thumb and is going to royally screw me over in the future? THIS GUY.)

Ever since Alistair Overeem cost the UFC one of the biggest fights of the year by pissing dirty at his surprise UFC 146 drug test, it seems like Dana White has been a lot more adamant about the necessity of drug testing fighters on a regular basis. Whereas his attitude toward testing could previously be construed along the lines of “we’re doing the best we can, but we can only do so much,” it seems that The Baldfather has really begun to step up his game, so to speak. In fact, during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, White made a promise that before too long, the UFC will be drug testing fighters themselves in order to try and limit the amount of positive tests per year:

The steroid, [performance-enhancing drug] thing affects the whole sport. The key is to make sure these guys never get on it, because once they do, they change. The problem with Overeem is that I want to sit in a room with him man to man and believe him. He told me before he ever fought for us, ‘Don’t worry, I’m the most tested athlete in sports.’ But I think we have about 42 fights a year … you have a guy or two popping [positive tests] here and there, that’s a pretty good ratio…. Yes, we’re going to do our own testing, order these guys into [a lab]; we’re sorting it out now. You have to do this to save the sport. You can’t have these guys fighting on this stuff.

So there you have it, Potato Nation. It looks like a day may finally come where we don’t have to worry about the Ubereem’s of the world spoiling our mid-summer blockbuster cards. Then again, illegal steroids were sooo last year, nowadays fighter’s just call it “therapy” and we collectively put our heads in the sand.


(Who’s got at least one thumb and is going to royally screw me over in the future? THIS GUY.)

Ever since Alistair Overeem cost the UFC one of the biggest fights of the year by pissing dirty at his surprise UFC 146 drug test, it seems like Dana White has been a lot more adamant about the necessity of drug testing fighters on a regular basis. Whereas his attitude toward testing could previously be construed along the lines of “we’re doing the best we can, but we can only do so much,” it seems that The Baldfather has really begun to step up his game, so to speak. In fact, during a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, White made a promise that before too long, the UFC will be drug testing fighters themselves in order to try and limit the amount of positive tests per year:

The steroid, [performance-enhancing drug] thing affects the whole sport. The key is to make sure these guys never get on it, because once they do, they change. The problem with Overeem is that I want to sit in a room with him man to man and believe him. He told me before he ever fought for us, ‘Don’t worry, I’m the most tested athlete in sports.’ But I think we have about 42 fights a year … you have a guy or two popping [positive tests] here and there, that’s a pretty good ratio…. Yes, we’re going to do our own testing, order these guys into [a lab]; we’re sorting it out now. You have to do this to save the sport. You can’t have these guys fighting on this stuff.

So there you have it, Potato Nation. It looks like a day may finally come where we don’t have to worry about the Ubereem’s of the world spoiling our mid-summer blockbuster cards. Then again, illegal steroids were sooo last year, nowadays fighter’s just call it “therapy” and we collectively put our heads in the sand.

This statement may come as a bit of a surprise considering White’s somewhat apathetic view on the issue when having to deal with the initial media backlash after Overeem’s positive test. Take this April interview, for example:

“You’re grown men. You’re fucking adults. You’re professional athletes. How man fucking times do you have to be told not to do this; to the point where you just completely blow your entire fucking career?”

This is perhaps the best point made by DW in the above video, in which he also states that, aside from his personal schedule, which is so hectic that it would make your head spin, he has to personally call these fighters to make sure they show up for press conferences and things of that nature. Not only is that a ridiculous notion to consider, but the fact that even after these phone calls, White still can’t get some fighters to show up when and where they’re expected to really gives one a different perspective on the issue.

But what do you think, Potato Nation, how long is it gonna be before we see a cleaner UFC?

-J. Jones

UFC 146: Frank Mir Says He Feels Most Comfortable Against Pure Strikers

Heading into this weekend’s title bout at UFC 146, Frank Mir isn’t being given a fair advantage on the feet against his opponent, Junior dos Santos.Mir is attempting to leave Las Vegas with the heavyweight title around his waist despite odds makers lab…

Heading into this weekend’s title bout at UFC 146, Frank Mir isn’t being given a fair advantage on the feet against his opponent, Junior dos Santos.

Mir is attempting to leave Las Vegas with the heavyweight title around his waist despite odds makers labeling him as a significant underdog against the Brazilian.

While most critics will point to Mir’s world-class jiu-jitsu as his only chance of winning the bout, the former UFC heavyweight champion believes his striking is being overlooked.

Having defeated such notable strikers like Cheick Kongo, Tim Sylvia and Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic, Mir feels he can compete with the champion.

“I think that sometimes it’s overlooked,” Mir told ESPN.co.uk when asked about his striking skills. “Sometimes it comes down to style. And with my style I’ve predominantly done better with people that use more striking or know the submission games.”

Mir’s striking ability has improved throughout the years but fans consider his chin to be susceptible. Out of his five career losses, four of them have seen Mir succumb to strikes via KO/TKO.

Combine that with dos Santos’ hand speed and knockout power, and many fans lean towards the champion to walk away with the title.

But Mir could be provide some difficulty for “Cigano” if he is able to avoid the Brazilian’s exchanges in the pocket and stay on the outside.

Dos Santos’ striking has proved to be successful against all of the heavyweight division so far, but Mir isn’t intimidated to engage. 

“I’ve had to work harder on the wrestling-based [fighters] as far as control and position and so that’s why, if you look at my training, it’s geared towards wrestling more because I am so comfortable with the boxing and the kick-boxing aspects and also dealing with submission guys,” Mir told ESPN.co.uk.

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UFC 146: Will the Arms That Frank Mir Has Broken Get into the Head of JDS?

Junior dos Santos will make his first heavyweight title defense against UFC veteran Frank Mir on May 26 at UFC 146. Dos Santos has predominately faced fighters who like to stand and trade punches. His last last four opponents have been Cain Velasquez, …

Junior dos Santos will make his first heavyweight title defense against UFC veteran Frank Mir on May 26 at UFC 146.

Dos Santos has predominately faced fighters who like to stand and trade punches. His last last four opponents have been Cain Velasquez, Shane Carwin, Roy Nelson and Gabriel Gonzaga.

Mir is enjoying a rebirth of sorts of his long UFC career. This fight against dos Santos will mark Mir’s 20th trek into the Octagon. Mir is 14-5 over those 20 fights.

The sight and sound of Mir’s last submission against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is still fresh in the minds of many MMA fans.

Personally, I had to delete the fight from my DVR after watching the replay a couple of times. There is nothing on television that makes me cringe more than seeing a limb snapped. Envision a kid peeking through their fingers while watching a scary movie and that’s how I looked watching the replay of Mir breaking Nogueira’s arm.

Surely I can’t be alone in that.

Forget about you and I, what about dos Santos? Is he going to have a quick trigger when it comes to tapping out against Mir?

Dos Santos is an elite power striker, there is no debating that. He also has a ground game that is solid enough to help him stay on his feet with Mir.

If Mir is able to weather the storm of punches by dos Santos and get the fight to the ground, he should be able to get the champion into a submissive position.

As soon as dos Santos feels his arm being cranked in the wrong direction, one would expect him to tap based off of what Mir has done to previous opponents.

Who could blame him?

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