UFC Betting Sites - The Best MMA Online Bookies

Video – UFC boss Dana White left stunned after reporter asked to be branded with hot iron: ‘You’re crazy’

MMA reporters can be an odd bunch, and Dana White was definitely caught off guard by one very strange…

MMA reporters can be an odd bunch, and Dana White was definitely caught off guard by one very strange question that he was asked at the post-fight press conference for the fight night in St. Louis this past Saturday.

The fights were electric, and the atmosphere at the Enterprise Center was indeed special. Dana White said it felt like he was in the crowd of a pay-per-view event, and the fighters did not disappoint in providing some insane moments.

The fight night also broke a company record, with a gate valued at over two million dollars, the highest for any fight night before. This has even got Dana White chomping at the bit to “phase out” the UFC Apex and more consistently keep the UFC traveling the globe.

MMA reporter asks a freaky question that disturbs UFC president Dana White

Dana White was answering questions at the post-fight press conference and was caught off guard by a reporter with a strange fantasy.

“I’ve got one little challenge for Cowboy (Cerrone),” the female reporter said. “If you notice this BMF brand at the top of my hat, I got that custom branding iron, and I said if he did his ride, I was going to let him brand me, but now I just want to let him do it; what do you think about that?”

White was visibly confused by this question and gave a slightly uncomfortable laugh. “Did you say brand you?” White asked. “You and Cowboy were meant for each other. There’s no way in hell that I would make that happen; you’re crazy.”

Donald Cerrone — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

The female reporter went on to say that she would like to be branded by Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone just for the “clout” and “fun” of it. Obviously, such a silly question can lead to scrutiny, and it certainly did for the female reporter.

This is what the UFC wants at their “press conferences.” Make no mistake about it.

The sport has come so far. It has evolved so much. The UFC is on fire. The athletes are more talented than ever.

The “media,” however, has gone backwards. Embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/xeB79VBbDO

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 12, 2024

The reporter wouldn’t just go down without a response, and later on, she would take to her social media channels and talk about what happened and the criticism she is now receiving.

You are not the end-all-be-all, @arielhelwani. Get bent. I'm here to stay. #PBR #UFC #KoreanCowgirl pic.twitter.com/KRjtLkmb95

— The Fight Space (Abbey Wagoner) (@TheFightSpace1) May 12, 2024

What are your thoughts about the reporter asking to be branded?

Video – UFC boss Dana White left stunned after reporter asked to be branded with hot iron: ‘You’re crazy’

MMA reporters can be an odd bunch, and Dana White was definitely caught off guard by one very strange…

MMA reporter asks a freaky question that disturbs UFC president Dana White

Dana White was answering questions at the post-fight press conference and was caught off guard by a reporter with a strange fantasy.

This is what the UFC wants at their “press conferences.” Make no mistake about it.

The sport has come so far. It has evolved so much. The UFC is on fire. The athletes are more talented than ever.

The “media,” however, has gone backwards. Embarrassing. pic.twitter.com/xeB79VBbDO

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 12, 2024

The reporter wouldn’t just go down without a response, and later on, she would take to her social media channels and talk about what happened and the criticism she is now receiving.

You are not the end-all-be-all, @arielhelwani. Get bent. I'm here to stay. #PBR #UFC #KoreanCowgirl pic.twitter.com/KRjtLkmb95

— The Fight Space (Abbey Wagoner) (@TheFightSpace1) May 12, 2024

What are your thoughts about the reporter asking to be branded?

Dana White confirms plans to ‘Phase out’ events at the UFC Apex amid criticizm: ‘We’re getting it done’

After a thrilling UFC fight night in St. Louis, Dana White is teeming about potentially getting back to the…

After a thrilling UFC fight night in St. Louis, Dana White is teeming about potentially getting back to the UFC’s pre-pandemic ways of traveling the globe for (nearly) every card.

The night of fights at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis was truly electric. The fights featured many hometown heroes, and the crowd was deafening as it seemingly roared all night long. Many said the atmosphere was as captivating as those in the crowds of PPV events, and it also helped that the fights themselves did not disappoint.

Derrick Lewis returned to his winning ways and ended the night strong by knocking out Rodrigo Nascimento early into the third round. The co-main featured Joaquin Buckley victorious in fighting Nursulton Ruziboev in front of a hometown crowd, and both fans and fighters brought the intensity. It was a great night of fights, and it’s got UFC president Dana White very excited about the prospect of getting the UFC back on the road.

Of course, the UFC Apex is the organization’s private arena of sorts. It has served the UFC well but has grown stale in the face of critics. The UFC Apex doesn’t really feature much of a crowd, and despite the amount of money it can save the company, it is often labeled as boring compared to legitimate arenas.

Dana White recalls losing $3 million while gambling drunk in Las Vegas I was having a blast — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

Dana White wants to move away from the UFC Apex and take the UFC Around the globe

The atmosphere at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis was definitely anything but boring, and it also was very profitable. According to Dana White, the fight night in St. Louis was the highest gate ever for a UFC Fight Night, generating $2.47 million with almost 16 thousand fans present.

“Even if you’re watching on ESPN, I mean, everybody — I’m sure you guys were getting text too. They’re like, ‘Jesus Christ. It’s like a pay-per-view there right now.’” Dana White said at the post-fight press conference.

“And this is,” he continued. “When you think about how we built this business, it was taking it out of the big markets. When we first got into the fight business, everybody just went to Vegas, Atlantic City, sometimes New York, sometimes LA. That’s the only place that really had fights unless you had a local kid.”

“We built this business, taking this thing to every city all over the world,” Dana White said proudly. “And as we start to get our s— together, I will call it, and start to move out and start to go to these different cities like we used to, the whole sport just goes to another level.”

Dana White confirms post-fight bonus winners will receive $300,000 checks at UFC 300 It's done — Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari – Zuffa LLC

When asked if this meant the UFC Apex would no longer be the main host of UFC events, White replied in the affirmative. “It’s what I’ve been saying for a long time,” he said. We gotta get out of the Apex and start doing more events in all these different cities, and we’re starting to do it. We’re getting it done this year.”

Where would you like to see the UFC travel to next?

Ex-MMA champ sees Jon Jones only needing ‘two and a half minutes’ to finish Alex Pereira in potential fight

Ben Askren expects Jon Jones to make quick work of Alex Pereira if the two ever tussle inside the…

Ben Askren expects Jon Jones to make quick work of Alex Pereira if the two ever tussle inside the Octagon.

Following Pereira’s sensational first-round knockout of Jamahal Hill at UFC 300, ‘Bones’ took to social media to gauge interest in a potential superfight between himself and the reigning 205-pound champ. Needless to say, fans exploded with excitement online and pundits immediately began debating who would come out on top in the potential champion vs. champion clash.

Speaking with UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, former Bellator MMA and ONE world champion Ben Askren suggested that Pereira wouldn’t last much longer against Jones than Ciryl Gane did.

“People want to see him have the ability to stop takedowns, because of you can’t stop takedowns [from] Jon Jones, he’s going to take you down and submit you,” Askren said on an episode of Funky & Champ.

“We saw Pereira get taken down by [Israel] Adesanya and he was kept down for, actually, a significant portion of time. And it is kind of wild that we have this guy Pereira, and there’s no doubt he’s making his mark as, possibly, one of the best ever if he keeps winning, yet [there] are questions about his wrestling. Like, how would he do against good wrestling? And we don’t know because somehow Jamahal Hill didn’t try a takedown, [Jiri] Prochazka didn’t try a takedown, [Jan] Blachowicz actually did take him down and keep him down for a round, Strickland didn’t try a takedown. … Like, these guys, they don’t try takedowns.

“He’s won all of these fights … and as he’s fought Sean Strickland and on, besides one round with Jan — and Jan’s not really a wrestler, he possesses some skills but he’s not really a wrestler. [Pereira] has still not fought a wrestler. So we still have all of these questions. So if he fights Jon Jones, I think there’s a chance it’s over in like two and a half minutes. I mean, look what Jon did to Ciryl Gane. He’s a large man, he’s a high-level wrestler, he’s got great grappling skills. Yeah, I think there’s a possibility of that for sure” (h/t MMA Fighting).

Jones secured a quick two-minute submission victory over Gane at UFC 285 to claim the vacant heavyweight title.

‘Bones’ was expected to defend the title against the division’s consensus GOAT Stipe Miocic in November, but a pectoral injury forced him to bow out of the bout.

Askren believes Jon Jones needs to fight Tom Aspinall before Alex Pereira

In the meantime, the UFC has crowned an interim champion in Tom Aspinall after the UK-based star scored a 69-second KO against Sergei Pavlovich inside the world’s most famous arena.

Traditionally, the undisputed champion would unify his belt with that of the interim titleholder upon their return. Unfortunately, that won’t be the case this time around as both Jones and the UFC have remained adamant that ‘Bones’ vs. Miocic will move forward.

With rumors of retirement and now talk of a potential fight with Alex Pereira, it has become increasingly more clear that Jones has no intention of ever fighting Tom Aspinall, much to the chagrin of fight fans and Ben Askren.

“We want to see Jon Jones fight Tom Aspinall,” Askren said. “Aspinall’s got the interim belt, Jon’s got the [other] belt. It just doesn’t make any sense. Just freaking make them fight, and then if Jon beats him, then Pereira vs. Jon.

“You can’t leave Tom Aspinall sitting here with the interim belt.”

‘We Gotta Get Out Of The Apex’

Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

White sounds serious about taking the UFC out of the miserable Apex and back on the road to all the smaller markets they’ve been ignoring since the pandemic. The UFC was i…

UFC 300: Pereira v Hill — Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

White sounds serious about taking the UFC out of the miserable Apex and back on the road to all the smaller markets they’ve been ignoring since the pandemic.

The UFC was in St. Louis, Missouri last night for a fun event at the Enterprise Center which featured Derrick Lewis knocking a dude out and hometown hero Joaquin Buckley beating tough challenger Nursulton Ruziboev.

According to UFC CEO Dana White, the event marked the highest gate ever for a UFC Fight Night, generating $2.47 million with 15,960 fans in attendance. And those fans were hyped. It was a nice change of vibes after we’ve had to suffer through eight listless Fight Nights at the UFC Apex so far this year.

On a recent TKO Inc. earnings call, the corporate owners of the UFC suggested the Apex might get phased out over time, despite the obvious cost benefits of holding shows there. White seemed to echo similar sentiments after St. Louis.

“Even if you’re watching on ESPN, I mean, everybody — I’m sure you guys were getting text too. They’re like, ‘Jesus Christ. It’s like a pay per view there right now.’”

“And this is, when you think about how we built this business, it was taking it out of the big markets. When we first got into the fight business, everybody just went to Vegas, Atlantic City, sometimes New York, sometimes LA. That’s the only place that really had fights unless you had a local kid.

“We built this business taking this thing to every city all over the world,” he repeated. “And as we start to get our s— together, I will call it, and start to move out and start to go to these different cities like we used to, the whole sport just goes to another level.”

Asked if this meant the end of the Apex as the most used venue for UFC events, White replied yes.

“It’s what I’ve been saying for a long time,” he said. “We gotta get out of the Apex and start doing more events in all these different cities, and we’re starting to do it. We’re getting it done this year.”

We’ve been saying since the end of the pandemic that the Apex is a hype-killer that hurts the product and the UFC’s ability to develop the next generation of stars. With gates like St. Louis, even the nerds in accounting can’t deny it makes sense to get back on the road.

Dustin Poirier refused to give up on guillotine after being told ‘no more’ by coach Mike Brown at UFC 299

Dustin Poirier just can’t help himself. The former interim UFC lightweight champion loves “jumpin’ the gilly” anytime the opportunity…

Dustin Poirier just can’t help himself.

The former interim UFC lightweight champion loves “jumpin’ the gilly” anytime the opportunity presents itself. That was never more present than during his clash with Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in March. ‘The Diamond’ made multiple attempts to choke out the Frenchman with his favorite maneuver despite being explicitly told not to by head coach Mike Brown.

Following the first round of his scrap with Saint-Denis, Brown was caught on camera telling Poirier to stop with the guillotines. As it turns out, there was more to the conversation that the cameras missed.

“They actually didn’t play it in between the rounds, after the first round I said, ‘No more guillotines,’ and then they switched to the other corner,” Brown told MMA Fighting. “But right after I said that, Dustin said, ‘No, but I can hit it! I can hit it!’ I just replied, ‘You crazy bastard.’

“I literally said that and then he went and jumped another one. They didn’t play that part, but there was more words said after I said don’t jump the guillotine.”

Dustin Poirier ultimately won the fight with a spectacular second-round comeback KO.

‘The Diamond’ has never actually finished one of his opponents inside the Octagon with a guillotine, but he’s done it plenty of times at the gym according to Brown.

“He puts a lot of guys to sleep in the gym, to be honest,” Brown said. “He does have a very good one. He just hasn’t hit them in the fight.”

Dustin Poirier has nothing left to prove

Dustin Poirier’s undeniable love for guillotines has taken on a life of its own following the Saint-Denis fight, but this is far from the first time that Brown has been left frustrated by the lightweight’s love for the move.

“The fight where I was losing my mind is the fight with [Dan] Hooker,” Brown said. “Because he had lost the first two rounds and then he was battling back and then he was jumping guillotine in those later rounds, and had he got stuck on bottom in any one of those rounds, he would have lost the third round and wouldn’t have won the decision.

“But somehow he wouldn’t hit the guillotine, but he would somehow scramble to get back to his feet and start dropping bombs on him and doing damage, and then somehow stealing the round anyway. He would somehow find a way to make it work. He made us sweat and bite our nails in that one, that’s for sure.”

Three months removed from his return to the win column against Saint-Denis, Poirier will step into the main event spotlight at UFC 302 on Saturday, June 1. There, he will square off with reigning lightweight world champion Islam Makhachev in what will likely be his last crack at UFC gold.

Poirier previously challenged Makhachev’s mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, five years ago at UFC 242. ‘The Diamond’ went for a guillotine and had fans on the edge of their seat, believing he could hand the Dagestani the first loss of his mixed martial arts career.

Instead, ‘The Eagle’ escaped and used his position on top to reign down a flurry of strikes before securing a rear-naked choke in round three.

If he can pull off the guillotine against Nurmagomedov’s protege in The Garden State next month, it would be nothing short of poetic.

“It absolutely could happen,” Brown said. “He’s done so much in the sport. I almost feel like he doesn’t have anything more to prove, but this is the one box he has to check. I feel like he’s a champion even though he hasn’t won a title, a true UFC title. He’s won the interim. I feel like he’s a champion in my eyes.”