MMA News

Tag: Dana White

  • Dana White Says Khabib Will “Learn The Hard Way” About Promoting

    UFC President Dana White is open to being an advisor to fellow promoter Khabib Nurmagomedov but thinks he’ll learn just how difficult it is for himself.

    Nurmagomedov, a former UFC lightweight champion and arguably one of the greatest fighters ever, is the promoter of Eagle FC. The promotion has been in the headlines recently, as they signed former UFC interim lightweight title challenger Kevin Lee and UFC Hall of Famer Rashad Evans.

    Nurmagomedov is off to an active start in this new career venture after retiring from MMA in 2020. However, White believes that sooner rather than later, Nurmagomedov will be confronted with the various challenges of being in the fight business.

    “No, I haven’t talked to Khabib about his promotion at all, but he’s gonna find out what it’s like to be on the other side, and it’s not as fun as it seems,” White said at the UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press conference. “He’s gonna learn. If he doesn’t know, he’s gonna know.”

    White was then asked if he would be open to helping Nurmagomedov ride the waves that come with fight promotion.

    “Listen, if he calls me and wants some advice, I would absolutely give him advice,” White said. “But yeah, he’s gonna learn the hard way. [Chuckles]”

    Eagle FC will host its first U.S. event next month in Miami, FL. The card will be headlined by kickboxing legend Tyrone Spong taking on Sergei Kharitonov.

    White has been one of the most prominent personalities in MMA since he began his reign as the UFC headman in the early 2000s. While White and Nurmagomedov are now technically competitors, it sounds like the two could be in communications sooner rather than later regarding promoter life.

    What are your thoughts on Dana White’s remarks about Khabib ‘learning the hard way’ about promoting?

  • Jake Paul To Dana White: “I Just Embarrassed Your Whole Company”

    Jake Paul believes his knockout of Tyron Woodley last night was a statement victory over the entire UFC promotion.

    Jake Paul and Dana White have been firing shots at one another for almost the entirety of 2021. The two central themes the two have quarreled about are UFC fighter pay and Paul’s legitimacy as a fighter.

    Dana White did not give Paul much of a chance to defeat Ben Askren when that fight was made early this year. He even stated that he’d be willing to bet $1 million on Paul losing to “Funky.” White later claimed that this bet was never made, which would be fortunate for him because Paul made short work of Askren in their April bout.

    Watch Jake Paul knock out Ben Askren at Triller Fight Club PPV - Bad Left Hook
    Photo by Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images for Triller

    Though Askren was a UFC fighter, many people did not give Paul much credit for the victory in hindsight. After all, “UFC fighter” label aside, Askren is well known to be a wrestling specialist.

    But now, Paul has knocked out a well-rounded former UFC champion. And in so doing, he believes he knocked the entire promotion down a peg, including their outspoken boss.

    “I just knocked out a five-time UFC champion and embarrassed your whole company,” Paul said in a message to White during the post-fight press conference.

    Jake Paul Sends A Follow-Up Message To Dana White

    Jake Paul would not stop there. He would then deliver another message to White, pleading with the UFC boss to let him continue “embarrassing” one UFC star after another.

    “And please, please let me get Kamaru Usman,” Paul said. “Please let me get [Nate] Diaz. Please let me get [Jorge] Masvidal. Please let me get [Conor] McGregor. Because I’m gonna embarrass them, too. I promise you that, Dana. I promise you that.”

    Jake Paul may have a new boxing rival: See who wants to fight him – Film Daily
    Jake Paul

    Jake Paul has already called out each of the aforementioned fighters. The only one of the four to not acknowledge Paul at all is Conor McGregor. Usman and Masvidal have both directly expressed an openness to box Paul. Diaz has also had some choice words for Paul in the past, and the rumor mill holds that the Stockton slugger would also be open to fighting Paul.

    Nevertheless, all of those four names remain under UFC contract, which means they are unable to fight Paul without the permission of Dana White. And White has made it abundantly clear time after time that will never happen.

    Do you believe Jake Paul embarrassed the UFC by knocking out Tyron Woodley?

  • Archives: White Reveals His Biggest Problem With Conor McGregor (2018)

    On this day three years ago, we ran a story where Dana White confessed that there is one thing that does bug him about the biggest cash cow in the history of his promotion.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Three Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 19, 2018, 5:05 PM]

    Headline: Dana White Reveals His ‘Biggest Problem’ with Conor McGregor But Adds ‘He’s Worth It’

    Author: Damon Martin

    Conor McGregor is the biggest superstar in UFC history and because of that he’s been given more latitude than the average athlete on the roster.

    UFC president Dana White has fully admitted as much when talking about the former two-division champion and his status with the company he’s helped earn million upon millions of dollars since first arriving.

    Even when McGregor assaulted a bus filled with fighters back in April, he faced no retribution from the UFC, although he did spend a night in jail and could potentially pay out millions in lawsuits over the incident.

    Still, White says McGregor is worth any headache he causes but largely he’s been a model citizen for most of his UFC career.

    That said, White will point out one issue he has with McGregor that he wishes would change if for no other reason than problems he causes with their television partners.

    “Is Conor hard to deal with here and there? Yeah but he’s worth it,” White said when speaking to the Barstool Sports podcast. “If people ask me what’s the biggest problem you have with Conor? It’s not showing up on time.

    “Other than that, Conor’s incredible. Conor’s a fun guy to be around, he’s hilarious, he’s a great fighter, he’s fun to watch. If the guy showed up on time, he’d literally be perfect. He’d be perfect.”

    White said that McGregor’s constant absenteeism at the start of press conference have caused more problems than anything else because many of those events are broadcast on television.

    Unfortunately, McGregor has a tendency to live on his own time schedule and that has resulted in his late arrival to numerous events.

    In fact, McGregor was so late for his final press conference showdown for the fight against Khabib Nurmagomedov back in October that the reigning lightweight champion just got up and left rather than wait for him any longer.

    McGregor always offers an apology for his lateness but White still wishes he could find a way to be on time more often.

  • Dana White Not Standing In The Way Of Poirier vs. Diaz Fight

    UFC President Dana White is leaving the booking of a potential Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz fight to others.

    Talks of a Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz money fight have been running sporadically for three years, with the two initially slated to meet at UFC 230 in 2018. After that fight fell through, both fighters went their separate ways professionally, but on social media, they have continued to bicker over the collapsed bout while also teasing a future one.

    Last week, Poirier appeared on The MMA Hour for a heart-to-heart with Ariel Helwani about what’s next for the UFC vet after losing a second world championship match, this time to Charles Oliveira at UFC 269. Poirier was unsure of his future, but he did know one thing: The only fight that got him excited at this present moment in time is Nate Diaz.

    Nate Diaz
    Image Credit: Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

    However, even though Diaz immediately returned that interest, there has already appeared to be some negotiating hurdles, with Diaz alleging that the UFC does not want to “pay for” Poirier.

    This is not the first time the UFC has been blamed for this fight not coming together. Back in August, Poirier hinted that the UFC was actually blocking the fight from taking place.

    Dana White More Than Willing To Book Poirier vs. Diaz

    Speaking at the UFC Vegas 45 post-fight press conference, however, Dana White suggested that the promotion would have no issue booking the fight if all the people who matter most want it.

    “Yeah, listen, if that’s a fight that they want and the fans want to see, we’ll do it,” White assured.

    The UFC initially wanted to pair Diaz with Khamzat Chimaev for the final fight of his contract, but Diaz didn’t bite. Last week, the promotion extended Diaz’s contract to buy more time in finding his next opponent. Now, Diaz, Poirier, and the fans could be on the verge of doing the UFC’s job for them.

    Would you like to see a fight between Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz?

  • Dana White Walks Back Claim That No Welterweight Wants Chimaev Fight

    Dana White may have prematurely stated that nobody wants to fight Khamzat Chimaev.

    Dana White’s job is to be a promoter. He is maybe the best fight promoter on the planet, and the way he is able to hype fights and fighters is arguably second to none.

    Lately, he has been riding high on Khamzat Chimaev. The rising welterweight star is looking to be the next big thing in the UFC, and it seems White can get on board with this notion. In fact, White recently came out to claim that no other welterweight on the roster would take a fight with Chmiaev.

    “Khamzat Chimaev is one of the baddest dudes that I’ve ever come across. He is literally willing to fight anyone,” White said to MMA Junkie just a few weeks ago.“Nobody wants to fight this guy. Everybody wants to get out on social media and say this or that. But when it really comes down to it, nobody is trying to fight Khamzat Chimaev. I don’t blame them.”

    This is all well and good to hype up one of the most interesting and fastest-rising fighters on the roster, but his statement was not 100% true. Although many possible opponents have turned down Chimaev, like Nate Diaz, there is one man who has been shouting from the rooftops for a fight with the Swedish powerhouse.

    “And that’s unfair for me to say because that is true. Neil Magny would take that fight today,” White clarified to Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel.

    Magny has been calling for Chimaev for months. He has been active on Twitter looking for a fight and even had the idea of matching up with him this month. Although that date is no longer possible, now that White has publicly admitted to being aware of Magny’s eagerness, perhaps the fight can finally be put on the books in 2022.

    Do you think Neil Magny would be able to beat Khamzat Chimaev if they are matched up?

  • Belal Muhammed Down To Fight Khamzat Chimaev After “Wonderboy”

    Regardless of Dana White’s claims, not everyone is afraid of Khamzat Chimaev. 

    Sans a brutal eye poke in a short-notice bout against Leon Edwards, Belal Muhammed has been on a tear since 2019. He’s dispatched Demian Maia, Dhiego Lima, and Lyman Good during his current run. Wins over unranked opponents and an aging Maia may not be enough to earn “The Bully” a crack at the title, but he feels a win over Stephen Thompson this weekend will be enough to shoot him into contention (h/t MMA Junkie). 

    “The only guys who have beaten (Thompson) in the last whatever years is either the champion or Gilbert Burns, who’s fought for the title,” Muhammad told MMA Junkie at UFC Vegas 45 media day. “(Thompson has) fought for the title twice so if he fought for the title twice, I just beat (Demian) Maia who fought for the title twice– ‘Bully B’ needs to fight for the title once.”

    Who’s Afraid Of The Big Bad Wolf?

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Khamzat Chimaev (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa)

    Thompson did fight for the title twice, but that was years ago. Currently, Thompson is 2-3 in his last five bouts. This means Muhammed may need to put in some more work before he’s summoned to fight for a belt. If that’s the case, the Chicagoan has no problem facing one of the promotion’s fastest rising stars in Khamzat Chimaev.  

    “He’s the biggest name right now, the biggest star, has the most momentum, the biggest hype,” Muhammad said. “He has Conor McGregor hype where it’s like you beat him, you gain more from beating him than anybody else in the division—where he has this stigma of him being the boogeyman of how he just dominated everybody. So you beat somebody like that, you’re the next star. You steal all of his hype, you steal all of his momentum. So it’s like, why not?”

    Chimaev looked nearly unstoppable since he joined the UFC last year. He has the fastest turnaround in the organization’s history and most recently ran through Li Jingliang at UFC 267 in October. Belal Muhammad’s upcoming bout against Stephen Thompson takes place tomorrow (Dec. 18) at UFC Vegas 45.

    How do you think a fight between Belal Muhammed and Khamzat Chimaev would play out?

  • Dana White Teases Big Pay Raise For Sean O’Malley After UFC 269

    UFC President Dana White has big plans for bantamweight prospect, Sean O’Malley, following his latest finish over Raulian Paiva at UFC 269.

    O’Malley found his range with his striking just minutes into the fight and pressured Paiva against the fence right away. After throwing a barrage of combinations, O’Malley landed a hard right hand that dropped Paiva to the canvas, ending the fight.

    White, like many around UFC circles, has been impressed with O’Malley’s recent run of knockouts inside the Octagon. During his UFC 269 post-fight press conference, White hinted at a potential pay raise for O’Malley and a step up in competition.

    “When you talk to him, two things: He wants to get paid and he wants to fight higher-level competition,” White said. “Looks like we’re going to have to pay him, get him some fights.”

    Sean O’Malley Is A Potential Bantamweight Superstar

    It didn’t take long for O’Malley to garner the attention of White following his incredible first-round knockout over Alfred Khashakyan on Season 1 of Dana White’s Contender Series. He’s looked dominant ever since, with the lone blemish on his record coming against Marlon Vera at UFC 252.

    O’Malley has rebounded nicely since his first professional loss, earning three-straight wins over Paiva, Kris Moutinho, and Thomas Almeida. While the UFC has appeared cautious in their plans for O’Malley’s gradual rise in competition, he’s remained vocal in his desires to compete against the best but has stated that should come with a pay raise, as White alluded to.

    Leading up to his fight against Paiva, O’Malley called out top bantamweight contenders like Dominick Cruz and Petr Yan.

    O’Malley hasn’t debuted in the bantamweight rankings yet but has managed to land on three-straight main cards in the UFC. It’s clear that the promotion thinks O’Malley can be a pay-per-view star for years to come, but it’s unclear how fast his potential rise to the title will be.

    Who would you like to see Sean O’Malley fight next?

  • Amanda Nunes Accepts Rematch Against Julianna Peña

    Former UFC bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes is all-in on an immediate rematch against Julianna Peña following UFC 269.

    Nunes had early success against Peña in their showdown at UFC 269. However, this was short-lived as Peña was the more aggressive fighter in round 2. After landing a series of devastating strikes, Peña changed levels and secured a rear-naked choke for arguably the greatest upset in UFC history.

    Almost immediately after Peña’s win, many around the UFC community already began to speculate about an immediate rematch with Nunes. UFC president Dana White said in his UFC 269 post-fight press conference that if Nunes wanted it, she’ll get an immediate second chance against Pena.

    After getting word of White’s comments, Nunes responded via an Instagram post just days after the event.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CXbl4W_PS62/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    “You think I’m going to go out unbalanced,” Nunes said. “I undoubtedly accept the rematch. Give me a little time to get my shit together and I will be back better than ever.”

    Amanda Nunes Isn’t The Only Name On Julianna Peña’s Radar

    Shortly after her win over Nunes at UFC 269, Pena was already looking ahead to what could be next in her title reign. While she iterated that she’s open to a rematch with Nunes, she’s also interested in avenging previous losses to Germaine de Randamie and Valentina Shevchenko.

    Shevchenko had previously hinted at a trilogy with Nunes after two close losses, but that appears to be on the back burner for now. A bantamweight showdown with Peña could be a very intriguing fight for the fans and both women.

    It’s unclear how much time off Nunes will need as she works her way back to the Octagon. In the meantime, it wouldn’t be surprising if the promotion looks at booking Peña against either Shevchenko or De Randamie next.

    How do you think a Julianna Peña vs. Amanda Nunes rematch plays out?

  • Dana White Clarifies Rumored Michael Chiesa Incident At UFC 269

    UFC President Dana White explained what went down with welterweight fighter Michael Chiesa following Julianna Peña’s win at UFC 269.

    Word quickly spread on social media that Chiesa was involved in a scuffle with security personnel at T-Mobile Arena while attempting to get into the Octagon to celebrate his former teammate’s win over Amanda Nunes. Peña pulled off arguably the greatest upset in UFC history with her submission of the legendary Nunes.

    It wasn’t surprising that Chiesa wanted to be involved in the post-fight celebration with Peña, but it was surprising how he went about it. During his UFC 269 post-fight press conference, White clarified what led to Chiesa being escorted out of the arena.

    “How do I say this without embarrassing this guy?” White said. “[Chiesa] had a little too much to drink this evening. When she won, he freaked out and tried to jump into the Octagon and fell down on his face, cut his eye, and busted his eye open, then was arguing with the police that he needed to get in the Octagon and be with her ’cause that’s his teammate. They dragged him out, got him outside, and calmed him down in the back, and I went back and talked to him for a minute, and we’re all good.” 

    Michael Chiesa 'very happy' for Poirier, thinks trilogy with McGregor makes most sense - Bloody Elbow

    Chiesa has become one of the top UFC analysts on Fight Night broadcasts and remains an active UFC welterweight. While he’s dropped his last two fights against Sean Brady and Vicente Luque, he remains focused on a bounceback in 2022.

    Chiesa and Peña are two of the most notable MMA talents to fight out of Spokane, WA, as both fought at Sikjitsu Gym together. They’ve been close friends since Peña won The Ultimate Fighter in 2013.

    For now, it appears that White and the UFC brass won’t seek to punish Chiesa further for his actions at UFC 269.

    What are your thoughts on the Michael Chiesa incident at UFC 269?

  • Flashback To Dana White Appearing On The Rock’s “Wake Up Call”

    Seven years ago today, UFC President Dana White was featured on The Rock’s reality television show Wake-Up Call in the series premiere on TNT.

    The one-hour show featured The Rock mentoring people who were struggling in their lives. The first and only season of the show featured eight episodes.

    In the debut edition that debuted seven years ago to this day, The Rock and Dana White attempted to give teenager Terrell Moore a shot at becoming a professional mixed-martial-arts fighter.

    You can find a clip of the trailer for the series premiere below.

    “I literally walked out on the job when I was 19 years old where I made good money because I knew I wanted to be in the fight business,” White said. “And there was no guarantees I was going to do anything in the fight business or ever make it. And my whole life I’ve been overcoming hurdles.

    “When I came up with the idea to buy the UFC, I went to the Fertitta brothers and pitched them this idea. We bought the UFC and it wasn’t some huge success story. We were $44 million in the hole before we turned this thing around. So I’ve had a ton of seven-buck moments in my life.”

    As White alluded to, the series was inspired by The Rock’s story of when he hit Rock Bottom with only $7 to his name, only to later become a multi-millionaire and global icon years later.

    The theme of the show is to follow the journey of other big dreamers who were being pushed by The Rock and sometimes other people who took life-changing risks before finding tremendous success.

    In 2021, Dana White is still finding success as the UFC President, which continues to turn a larger profit year after year. Meanwhile, The Rock has been named the highest-paid athlete in Hollywood on many occasions throughout his legendary and versatile acting career.

    Did you ever catch any episodes of The Rock’s Wake-Up Call series?

  • Flashback To When Fedor Dared Dana White To Let Him Fight Couture

    Fedor Emelianenko hasn’t thought too highly of UFC President Dana White for well over a decade now.

    The year was 2007. Fedor Emelianenko was the PRIDE FC world heavyweight champion for over four years strong and was days away from his 24th consecutive victory, with the then 1-0 Choi Hong-man pegged as the next victim.

    It was during this December that Dana White was quoted as saying the following:

    “I don’t think Fedor is a top-five heavyweight in the world, and I’m not saying that because I didn’t get Fedor. I’ve always felt that way about Fedor and I always felt Randy Couture would beat Fedor … Fedor is a farce.” 

    In a 2007 interview with MMA Weekly, Fedor was asked to respond to these comments, and the Russian legend was sure to include a daring proposal to Dana White in his retort.

    “Dana talks a lot and uses words lightly. Let Randy Couture fight me. Allow this fight that everyone wants to take place. Me, Randy and MMA fans all over the world want it. The only obstacle is Dana.”

    Fedor’s interest in fighting then-UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture was purely professional. Many people, Dana White included, have lamented the fact that the MMA world never bore witness to Fedor vs. Lesnar. However, a Russian icon in Fedor Emelianenko going against an American icon in Randy Couture in a champion vs. champion clash would have been pure money, and Fedor was convinced everyone wanted to see it. 

    “People want to see this fight and I want to meet him in the ring. I have the greatest respect for Randy and have always admired him. I am also thankful that he has such a high opinion of me.”

    As recently as two months ago, Fedor was still letting his thoughts on Dana White be known. The legend stated that White was selfish and lacks respect for fighters. That said, even though Fedor is incredibly still fighting, and winning, at age 45, don’t expect his swan song to include any high notes in the UFC.

    Who do you think would have won between Fedor Emelianenko and Randy Couture?

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  • Dana White Says Amanda Nunes Will Get Peña Rematch If She Wants It

    Amanda Nunes may have lost for the first time in seven years, but she still is in the driver’s seat of what happens next at the top of the bantamweight division.

    At UFC 269, Julianna Peña stunned a public that bet Amanda Nunes up to be a -1000 favorite heading into the co-main event. Not only did Peña pull off the upset, but she was able to get the finish within two rounds.

    UFC 269: Amanda Nunes stunningly CHOKED OUT by Julianna Pena in one of biggest upset wins in MMA history - thejjReport
    Julianna Pena, Amanda Nunes

    The finish was convincing. And although “doubt” would be an understatement regarding what Peña was up against coming into the fight, she managed to leave none about who deserved to have their hand raised at UFC 269. Indeed, odds aside, Julianna Peña proved to be the better woman on the night of December 11, and her bulletproof confidence was rewarded with bantamweight gold.

    Peña vs. Nunes 2 Already In The Works?

    However, be all that as it may, Julianna Peña may just have to turn around and do what no one has ever done before: defeat Amanda Nunes twice. All that needs to happen to place this task in front of her is “The Lioness” saying the word.

    “It’s a big rematch if [Nunes] wants it,” White said at the UFC 269 post-fight press conference.

    During the UFC 269 pre-fight press conference, Peña was actually asked about this scenario of an immediate rematch when it was all completely hypothetical. Here is what she had to say:

    “Yes, an immediate rematch, and when I win that fight, I will be 11-2 in the division, which is a better bantamweight record in the history of the bantamweight division.”

    If this remains Peña’s stance, then all that’s left is the green light from Amanda Nunes. MMA News will keep you posted if and when that immediate rematch becomes a work in progress.

    Do you think there should be an immediate rematch between Amanda Nunes and Julianna Peña?

  • Archives: When Dana White Shut Down O’Malley vs. Garbrandt (2020)

    Tonight at UFC 269, both Cody Garbrandt and Sean O’Malley will be in action. They won’t be facing one another, however. In fact, they won’t even be fighting in the same division.

    Despite the Twitter beef between the two men, the odds of them fighting are farther apart than ever before, even though the two squared up in the pre-fight press conference earlier this week.

    Also earlier this week, UFC President Dana White openly stated that O’Malley is not ready to fight “top” opponents, even though O’Malley himself says he would have loved to have fought a higher-ranked opponent, with Garbrandt being among that list.

    Just as Dana White is against O’Malley facing “top” opponents now, he felt the same way last year.

    The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED JUNE 17, 2020, 10:28 AM]

    Headline: UFC President Dana White Shuts Down Cody Garbrandt vs. Sean O’Malley Talk

    Author: Fernando Quiles Jr.

    UFC president Dana White doesn’t feel it’s the right time to book Cody Garbrandt vs. Sean O’Malley.

    O’Malley and Garbrandt have been throwing some verbal jabs ever since UFC 250. Both men scored spectacular one-punch knockouts that earned them performance bonuses. They then got into a fun back-and-forth over who had the better finish. Then, O’Malley expressed his belief that he can knock Garbrandt out. Obviously, “No Love” disagrees.

    Dana White Puts a Halt To Garbrandt vs. O’Malley

    O’Malley is still quite young in his pro MMA career. While many are calling for him to get a step up a competition, a bout with a former UFC bantamweight champion as dangerous as Garbrandt might be too soon. That’s the belief White shared during his appearance on The Schmozone Podcast (h/t BJPenn.com).

    “The problem is, you take a Sean O’ Malley…first of all he has been off for a couple of years, young kid, just coming in, like where does he goes from here? You got to give this kid a few more fights before he gets to Cody Garbrandt,” White said. “If he fought and beat Cody Garbrandt, then he’d break into the top five, and very few people in their careers break into the top five.”

    O’Malley’s pro MMA record sits at a perfect 12-0. He’s coming off a highlight reel knockout over Eddie Wineland. It’s the “Sugar” show’s eighth win by way of knockout.

    As for Garbrandt, he put a halt to his flyweight plans after knocking out Raphael Assuncao. “No Love” now aims to work his way back to the bantamweight title picture. Defeating Assuncao put Garbrandt back in the top five 135-pound rankings.

    While Garbrandt vs. O’Malley probably won’t take place at this time, don’t rule it out in the future. If O’Malley ends up living up to the hype and Garbrandt continues to bounce back, we may very well be seeing “No Love” vs. “Sugar.”

  • Dana White Uninterested In Nunes/Shevchenko Trilogy

    UFC fans are starting to talk about a possible Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy, but UFC president Dana White isn’t keen on the idea.

    Nunes is set to face Julianna Peña in her first bantamweight title defense in two years at UFC 245. She’s recently put on dominant performances as she defended her featherweight title against Felicia Spencer and Megan Anderson.

    Nunes is beginning to run out of potential contenders at both bantamweight and featherweight, and talks of a Shevchenko trilogy have resurfaced. However, White isn’t as interested in a third fight happening between the two top female UFC fighters as most could be led to believe.

    “I don’t know if that fight needs to happen,” White said in a recent interview with TSN. “I don’t know. I’ve thought about it a lot. You know they’re both incredible in their weight classes. They already fought twice. Why do it again?”

    Amanda Nunes Valentina Shevchenko
    Image Credit: Dave Mandel of Sherdog.com

    Nunes and Shevchenko are arguably the two top female fighters in MMA history and have managed to each dominate their respective weight classes since their two matchups in the Octagon. Shevchenko’s losses to Nunes are the only blemishes she has had during her time in the promotion.

    White isn’t completely closed off to the idea of a third fight, but the fans would need to let their voices be heard.

    “I would imagine if they wanted to do it bad enough and the fans wanted it bad enough, I would do it but I don’t see much point in it.”

    Nunes has had issues in her recent bantamweight title fights cutting down to 135 pounds but is also running out of potential suitors at 145. It’s unclear who could be next for her as she looks to defend each of her titles.

    While Shevchenko hasn’t been pleading for another shot at Nunes, she’s remained open to the idea of a trilogy. It’s unclear whether or not Nunes feels the same and whether or not it’ll be enough to warrant a third matchup.

    Would you like to see an Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko trilogy?

  • Dana White: UFC Fighters Make More Than Most Boxers

    Dana White is defending the pay scale of his UFC fighters.

    Dana White is once again having to defend fighter pay. This topic has been at the forefront of many conversations lately. White and the UFC have been accused of not paying the fighters well enough. Many fighters have spoken out about wanting to be paid more or insinuating that boxers are in the higher pay bracket. White stated his case in a recent interview with Yahoo Sports.

    “Yeah, definitely. Listen, when you talk about the elite, I’m putting on 44 fights in a year, right? And people are buying these pay-per-views, you know. 13 or 14 a year, watching all the other ones building, whatever. Then, when you look at what most of these guys make, most UFC fighters make more than boxers, okay?” White told Yahoo Sports.

    “Most UFC fighters make more than boxers, especially at a lower level. Then, the guys, you know, the Khabibs, the Conors, the Rondas, you know, even the Jon Jones’, these guys make more than most of these guys that are fighting for big title fights. Don’t believe the bull***t. Don’t believe all the stuff you hear. These guys make a lot of money.”

    It is commonly the prelim or lesser-known athletes that have been asking for money. It isn’t unusual for a fighter to call out White after a fight for a performance bonus, or cite that they have a very low bank account balance leading up to a fight. However, it is not always the up-and-comers who are unhappy with pay. Jon Jones was pubically asking to be paid what the high-level boxers get paid.

    “You have these scumbags out there that know nothing about the business telling all the fighters, ‘Oh you are all being underpaid. You are not being paid enough money. You are not this.’ It goes on every f–king day. They literally know nothing about the business, or the pay, or how any of this st works. It’s all part of the game.”

    Jake Paul is one of the people advocating for MMA fighter’s pay raises. He claims he is paying former UFC fighters much more than they were making while with the company. Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley both have claimed top paydays when fighting Paul.

    Who do you think makes more money at the highest level, UFC fighters or boxers?

  • Dana White Agrees With Poirier Being Favored Over Oliveira

    Dana White explains why he feels the odds make sense.

    We are one day away from the final UFC PPV of 2021. The main event features Charles Oliveira and challenger, Dustin Poirier, throwing down in a highly-anticipated scrap for the lightweight title. 

    Currently, oddsmakers slightly favor Poirier to win the main event at -160. This means that a $160 bet on “The Diamond” would net the bettor $100. The champion is an underdog at +140. So, $100 would net the bettor $140 if Oliveira pulls off the upset. 

    It may seem strange that a champion on a 9-fight win streak is the underdog, but Dana White thinks it makes perfect sense. He explained his reasoning to TSN.

    “Yeah, that’s fair. I mean, when you look at Dustin, what he’s done, what he’s accomplished, he’s a bigger guy, I think he has the advantage on his feet. I think if it goes to the ground, obviously, Oliveira has the advantage. I think that’s a pretty good line.”

    Charles Oliveira
    Charles Oliveira Getty Images

    Is The Champ Getting The Respect He Deserves?

    Poirier has won seven of his last eight fights. Not only does he have a high winning percentage, but the level of competition he’s beaten is also the who’s who of the division. Victories over Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez, and Conor McGregor (twice) are just some names on the murder’s row Poirier has run through en route to this title shot. His lone loss in that time came at the hands of Khabib Nurmagomedov. 

    Oliveira is on a solid streak of his own and earned victories over Kevin Lee, Tony Ferguson, and Michael Chandler during his current run. While Oliveira did have issues in the cage early in his career, “Do Bronx” seems well past them at this point. White knows what Oliveira is capable of and feels that people are sleeping on the Brazilian submission specialist. 

    “No, he doesn’t get enough credit. And that’s one of the things. With some guys, it takes longer than others. Oliveira’s had a long, hard road. 28 of his 31 wins are by finish. He’s got a 90% finish rate, has the record for most finishes in the UFC, most submission wins in the UFC, most performance of the night bonuses, second-most post-fight bonuses in UFC history. I mean, the guy is an absolute stud. He’s just gotta keep grinding and knocking them down, and eventually, his day will come.”

    Do you agree with the UFC 269 betting line for Charles Oliveira vs. Dustin Poirier?

  • Dana White: Sean O’Malley Isn’t Ready To Face Top Opponents

    UFC President Dana White says Sean O’Malley won’t fight top bantamweights until he’s ready, something he doesn’t believe “Sugar” is yet.

    Despite being only four years into his career on MMA’s biggest stage, a period interrupted by a two-year absence thanks to an injury and a USADA suspension, O’Malley has consistently been criticized by a portion of fans for not entering the Octagon with a ranked opponent.

    After a highlight-reel knockout of Thomas Almeida in March and a record-breaking striking performance against Kris Moutinho in July, the 27-year-old looked set to fight his first top-15 name in the form of Raulian Paiva. However, the Brazilian’s time at the bottom-end of the rankings was short-lived.

    Nevertheless, both men will look to jump onto the 135-pound ladder when they meet in this weekend’s UFC 269 main card opener.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CWj_5arlRwC/

    Dana White: O’Malley Isn’t like Chimaev

    Despite falling to his first professional loss last year against Marlon “Chito” Vera, and only picking up victories against unranked opponents since, O’Malley hasn’t shied away from calling out high-level bantamweights. That includes Dominick Cruz and Pedro Munhoz, who will face each other below O’Malley on this weekend’s card, despite their places in the top 10.

    Dana White believes it’s that level of attention and stardom that creates unreasonable expectations for O’Malley’s rise in the promotion. During a recent interview with Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox, the 52-year-old denied that O’Malley’s apparent unwillingness to fight ranked opponents until he gets a better contract is the reason behind the foes he’s been matched up with in 2021.

    White said that, unless your name is Khamzat Chimaev, fighters can’t move up the rankings as fast as fans expect O’Malley to. In the UFC President’s eyes, “Sugar” isn’t ready yet.

    “It has nothing to do with his contract. I mean, he’s not ready. You guys wanna throw him to the wolves. You don’t move somebody that fast, unless they’re Khamzat Chimaev. Khamzat is a guy you feel comfortable moving that fast. I mean, O’Malley just lost a couple fights ago. Talking about bigger fights and all that shit, this is a tough fight for him on Saturday night.

    “In his last fight he looked incredible, he put on a clinic. I think because O’Malley’s so popular and whatever, you’re always gonna have the critics that give this kid shit. He’s a tough kid, he’s fun, he’s exciting to watch, but he’s making his way, you know, the way you’re supposed to. You don’t just turn O’Malley around and throw him against killers. That’s not how it works.”

    White’s latest comments go hand-in-hand with remarks O’Malley made at UFC 269 media day on Wednesday. The Montana native denied avoiding ranked opponents, and said he simply faces whoever the UFC offers him. If he had control of who he faces, O’Malley said he’d be fighting the likes of Cruz and Munhoz next.

    While he’ll have to get past the tough test of the in-form Paiva instead, a big-name opponent could be waiting in the wings for O’Malley in 2022 if he’s victorious on Saturday night.

    Who would you like to see Sean O’Malley fight in 2022 if he defeats Raulian Paiva at UFC 269 this Saturday?

  • Dana White On Potential Jose Aldo/TJ Dillashaw Fight: “I Love It”

    Former champions José Aldo and TJ Dillashaw could be on a collision course at bantamweight, and UFC president Dana White wants to book it.

    Aldo and Dillashaw are undoubtedly two of the top bantamweights in the world at the moment after each earned wins this year. UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will more than likely face Petr Yan in a rematch next, which opens the conversation to who could be the next top contender.

    In a division that is stacked from top-to-bottom, Dillashaw and Aldo have managed to beat some of the top guys to earn a spot in the title picture.

    During a recent interview with Barstool Sports, White explained why an Aldo vs. Dillashaw fight makes sense.

    “I love it,” White said. “Yeah, I love it. That’s a fun fight. And it’s #2 versus #3.  Do that fight, see who gets the next title shot.”

    José Aldo Vs. TJ Dillashaw Would Surely Be A No. 1 Contender Fight

    Aldo most recently dominantly defeated Rob Font in the UFC Vegas 44 main event. In a matchup of two elite strikers, Aldo proved that he remains on top of his game despite being the promotion for many years.

    Dillashaw recently returned from a lengthy USADA suspension to squeak out a split decision win against the always-dangerous Cory Sandhagen in July. After undergoing recent knee surgery, he’s been sidelined and is anticipating a return sometime early next year.

    Aldo and Dillashaw at one point were considered two of the top fighters in the world, as both men earned titles at featherweight and bantamweight, respectively. White sounds just as pumped up as nearly everyone else for a potential matchup between the two.

    How do you think a TJ Dillashaw vs. José Aldo fight would play out?

  • Dana White Invites Kayla Harrison To Prove She’s The Best Against Nunes

    The UFC has joined the Kayla Harrison sweepstakes.

    The UFC featherweight division has been relatively dormant since its inception in 2017. Four years in, there still are not any rankings for the division, and the roster continues to be flimsy at best, with no signs of that changing anytime soon.

    For instance, one of the very few featherweights under contract, Felicia Spencer, made the decision to retire last week. That same week, Aspen Ladd, who made her featherweight debut recently after weight struggles at bantamweight, has announced that she intends to go back down to 135.

    Ladd also is on record in telling MMA News that the UFC’s featherweight division needs Kayla Harrison if it is going to survive. Now that Harrison is a free agent, it is entirely possible that she could come in and help save the division.

    Dana White Reveals The UFC Is In Talks With Kayla Harrison

    Kayla Harrison, Dana White
    Kayla Harrison, Dana White

    However, according to Dana White, the fate of the division isn’t in the hands of the two-time PFL lightweight champion but is dependent on the UFC’s reigning featherweight champ, Amanda Nunes.

    “That division is still there for the champ,” White said Wednesday in an interview with TSN. “The day (Nunes) says she doesn’t want to defend that belt anymore, we probably let it go. It’s there for her. And I’m interested in the whole Kayla Harrison thing. She thinks she’s the best in the world. There’s only one way to find out: come over here and fight the GOAT.”

    It wasn’t long ago that Dana White advised Kayla Harrison to stick with the PFL and continue taking what he deemed to be easy money. Such a nonchalant indifference to one of the biggest free agents in recent history came across as potential reverse psychology.

    This about-face indicates that may have been precisely what it was, or perhaps other UFC executives later persuaded White to make a play for the Olympic gold medalist. Whatever the reason, White confirmed to TSN that the UFC is, in fact, in active talks with Kayla Harrison, and those talks will culminate with her joining the UFC if she really wants to prove she’s the best.

    As for the matter of Harrison and Nunes being teammates at American Top Team? A total nonfactor for a competitor like Amanda Nunes, says White.

    “Well, first of all, Amanda Nunes is one of the best athletes I’ve ever worked with, and she doesn’t play all that goofy, ‘We’re friends’ shit,” White assured.

    Bellator has also confirmed interest in Kayla Harrison, with company president Scott Coker saying in last week’s Bellator 272 post-fight press conference that the promotion will meet with her this week. PFL also hopes to retain her services for the fourth year.

    MMA News will be right on top of Kayla Harrison’s free agency and fill you in on all the latest updates.

    Do you think Kayla Harrison should follow Dana White’s revised advice and fight Amanda Nunes in the UFC to “prove she’s the best?”

  • Dana White Shares “Savage” Julianna Peña Story Ahead Of UFC 269

    UFC bantamweight contender Julianna Peña pleaded to Dana White for a shot at Amanda Nunes, and she’ll get her chance at UFC 269.

    Peña will face Nunes in her first shot at the UFC bantamweight title after years in the promotion. She most recently defeated Sara McMann by submission at UFC 257.

    White gave Peña a shot in the UFC after she earned a dominant victory over Jessica Rakoczy on The Ultimate Fighter: Season 18.

    Peña hasn’t mince words when it comes to her thoughts about her chances against Nunes in the UFC 269 co-main event. During a recent interview with TMZ Sports, White praised Peña for her confidence and approach to the upcoming title fight.

    “I love that about Julianna Peña,” White said. “She’s a savage. She is an absolute lunatic. She got in a fistfight with a bouncer in a bar, OK? She got into a full-blown fistfight with a bouncer in a bar, and the bouncer called the police. Let’s put it that way. [LAUGHS] Julianna is a fighter, and there’s no doubt in my mind that she’s gonna come in and go to war with Amanda Nunes. How that turns out, we will see (on) Saturday.”

    Julianna Peña Is Looking To Prove To Dana White That She Can Win

    Pena has gone off on Nunes in a series of recent interviews leading up to her fight with Nunes. The two top bantamweights were originally scheduled to fight at UFC 265, but Nunes withdrew from the bout on short notice. Pena has said that Nunes can’t claim the status of the women’s MMA GOAT without fighting her.

    White has been very vocal when it comes to Nunes’ dominance inside the octagon. He’s called Nunes the undisputed female GOAT and has said that other fighters such as Kayla Harrison and Cris “Cyborg” Justino don’t belong in the same discussion as her.

    What are your predictions for Amanda Nunes vs. Julianna Peña at UFC 269?

  • [ARCHIVES] Dana White Confirms Verbal Agreement With Mayweather

    [MMA NEWS ARCHIVES]

    Dana White and Floyd Mayweather apparently came to an agreement as covered in the following story from 2019. What the precise nature of the verbal agreement was, to this day, remains worthy of an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. The following article was published on this day two years ago. It is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    On This Day Two Years Ago…

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 5, 2019, 6:52 PM]

    Dana White has confirmed that he and Floyd Mayweather have reached a verbal agreement.

    Last month, Mayweather had the combat sports world buzzing when he teased that something was in the works with the UFC president. “Money” and White had a conversation during an NBA game. Mayweather followed that up by claiming he was coming out of retirement in 2020.

    White Claims Verbal Agreement In Place With Mayweather

    White appeared on The Jim Rome Show and revealed that he’s hoping to put pen to paper in March (via MMAWeekly).

    “It’s true. We sat at the Clippers game. We started talking and we literally got a deal done right there on the court. And if things play out the way things Floyd and I think they will, I will probably sit down with Al Haymon (Mayweather’s manager) in March and get a deal on paper.

    “If everything goes our way, Floyd and I would be doing something in October or November (of 2020).”

    Mayweather retired from professional boxing with a perfect 50-0 record. He wrapped up his career with a 10th-round TKO victory over former UFC “champ-champ” Conor McGregor. MMA News will keep you up to speed on further updates on the Dana White-Floyd Mayweather talks as they become available.

  • Dana White Says He’s Already COVID Free, Thanks Dr. Joe Rogan

    Dana White says he is now completely rid of COVID-19 a mere five days after testing positive for the virus, and he says he and his entire family has Joe Rogan to thank for it.

    Earlier this week, Dana White revealed that he and his entire family contracted COVID-19 over the Thanksgiving holiday. Once White realized this grim news, he took immediate action and knew just who to call: Joe Rogan.

    Hiltzik: Judges wrong to order Ivermectin COVID treatment - Los Angeles Times

    The following is what White had to say about his discussion with Rogan and the treatment he was recommended to take:

    “I get up, 9 o’clock Monday morning, and I get tested,” White continued. “He said get monoclonal antibodies in you as soon as possible, so I did. By noon, I had the monoclonal antibodies in me. Then he told me to do a NAD drip. I did that right after. The next day – so Sunday at 8 o’clock at night I have no taste or smell. I get up Tuesday getting ready to shave. Cleaning my razor, I could smell the alcohol. My taste and smell were back by the next day by 11 o’clock. Then I took a dose of ivermectin. Then yesterday I did a vitamin drip, and today I’m doing another NAD drip.

    “Never felt better. I’m feeling like a million bucks. I’m doing two-a-day workouts for the next 10 days while I have COVID and I’m in quarantine. I got my smell and taste back in less than 24 hours.”

    Dana White And Family Now COVID Free

    Days later, TMZ caught up with Dana White for an update on his health status. Not only is Dana White now testing negative for COVID, but his entire family is also on the mend after taking Rogan’s advice.

    “I’m incredible. Today is Day 5 (since I) tested positive for COVID. And today, this morning at 9 o’clock, I tested negative. Thank you, Dr. Joe Rogan!”

    Rogan has been widely criticized for recommending ivermectin be used to treat COVID, with sources such as the FDA and the BBC stating that the drug is not intended for human usage.

    The legitimacy of such warnings has been widely disputed, with the doubters often being associated with ring-wing ties. There have been reports as recent as four months ago of ivermectin gaining momentum in places such as Latin America and India. Readers are encouraged to do their own research and form their own opinions on the matter beyond this snapshot overview of the issue.

    As far as Dana White is concerned, every time he looks at his family is all the proof he needs about the efficacy of Joe Rogan’s treatment regimen. And if that’s not enough proof, there’s a whole host of others who swear by Rogan’s advice, says White.

    “And himself, he did it himself, and like 40 other people that he’s close to he’s done this with,” White said of the number of people Rogan has helped with his advice. “And here’s the reality. In all seriousness, Joe Rogan is a brilliant guy and he talks to the most brilliant people out there. He studies, he does his homework on all this stuff.

    “And it’s a fact that this works, and not just me. So me and my wife are both 53 years old. We both did it. My daughter is 15 years old. She did it. My mother-in-law is 80 years old. She did it. When I was sitting here waiting to talk to you, my mother-in-law went strolling by here. She’s on her way over to get a massage. Everybody feels like a million bucks, man.”

    What do you make of Dana White’s testimony in favor of Joe Rogan’s medical advice?

  • Dana White Reacts To Nate Diaz Rejecting Khamzat Chimaev Fight

    Dana White has reacted to Nate Diaz publicly rejecting a fight against undefeated rising star Khamzat Chimaev.

    After Khamzat Chimaev advanced his professional record to 10-0 at UFC 267 by manhandling Li Jingliang, White and Borz both set their sights on Nate Diaz as his next opponent. There’s just one problem, Diaz wanted nothing to do with it.

    This, according to the Stockton bad boy himself, is due to the fact that Chimaev only has four fights in the UFC and is a “rookie.” Therefore, the suggestion that Diaz, an established veteran of the game, should fight him was considered “disrespectful” by the Californian.

    TMZ caught up with Dana White this weekend and asked the UFC President to comment on Diaz’s remarks. Here’s what he had to say.

    “Listen, man. Khamzat is a straight murderer. He’s a killer. He’s an absolute savage. And I don’t blame anybody for not wanting to fight Khamzat Chimaev,” White said.

    White was then pressed to respond directly to Nate Diaz’s reasoning and if he thought Chimaev’s “rookie” status is the legitimate reason why Diaz is uninterested in the fight. White could not stifle the urge to smile throughout the entirety of the following response.

    “What do you think? What do you think? [SMILE GROWS WIDER] Listen, everybody in this business, everybody in this company is here because they belong here. There are no real ‘rookies’ per se here. There are guys with more experience and some guys with some less experience.

    Khamzat Chimaev
    Khamzat Chimaev (Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa)

    “Khamzat Chimaev is one of those guys that’s willing to fight anybody in multiple weight classes on short notice. He’s doing wrestling matches. If it’s a fight, he’s in, and he wants to fight you. And that’s the reality. I mean, people can spin Khamzat however they want to and I don’t blame ’em.”

    Dana White has recently shared how difficult it has been to get Chimaev booked in a fight, stating that no one in the welterweight division wants to fight him. There have been reports of a potential pairing of Chimaev and Burns, and Burns himself said he’d be open to that fight, but there has been zero traction on that bout ever since the initial report.

    Why do you think Nate Diaz does not want to fight Khamzat Chimaev? Because it’s “disrespectful” or because he simply wants no part of Borz?

  • [ARCHIVES] Wife Says UFC Tried To Get Aldo To Fight McGregor Hurt

    [MMA NEWS ARCHIVES]

    Tonight, José Aldo will be headlining UFC Vegas 44 opposite Rob Font, and hopefully he’ll be doing so at 100%. The following is an article about a time his wife accused the UFC of trying to get Aldo to fight arguably the biggest fight of his career while injured. The following article is presented to you in its original, unaltered form, courtesy of the MMA News Archives.

    [ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 8, 2015, 6:13 PM]

    As we draw closer to this Saturday’s UFC 194 pay-per-view featuring the UFC Featherweight Championship unification bout between José Aldo and Conor McGregor, controversy over their originally scheduled fight at UFC 189 is starting to come to light thanks to the wife of the linear UFC 145-pound champion.

    Aldo’s wife, Vivianne Pereira, recently spoke with Brazilian media outlet Combate and made the claim that UFC President Dana White called her husband and tried to get him to fight McGregor at UFC 189 as scheduled, despite the fact that he was suffering from a painful rib injury.

    “Dana [called], talking about numbers. ‘It’s millions of dollars that you’re losing. You have to fight. You’ve never made this in your life’. [Jose] trying everything, doing everything. They didn’t want to announce it because who else would they put in the fight? They spent millions on the fight. How would they say he broke his rib? They didn’t want to admit they held it back, threw that on us, and we were saying it was broken.”

    UFC has since responded to the claims made by Aldo’s wife. A UFC official issued the following statement to MMAFighting.com.

    “Jose’s health and safety were always a priority and we worked closely with he and his team to ensure that he had access to the best medical care and consultation after sustaining the injury. We respect and understand that he could not proceed with the fight at UFC 189 due to the injury. Both fighters have now arrived in Las Vegas for this historic event, and we’re excited that UFC 194 is just days away.”

    Fans know the rest of the story. Aldo pulled out of the fight on very short notice and top contender Chad Mendes, who was paid by UFC to be on standby in case either fighter had to pull out, stepped in and fought McGregor in an interim title fight. “The Notorious” one went on to knock out Mendes in the second round to set the stage for another Aldo-McGregor show to close out the year.

    And we’re almost there!

    UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor takes place this Saturday, December 12th from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada and will air live on pay-per-view. Make sure to visit MMANews.com on Saturday evening for the absolute best UFC 194 live results on the web!

  • Dana White Compares Conor McGregor To Rocky Balboa

    UFC President Dana White believes former two-division champion Conor McGregor currently has as much desire to fight inside the Octagon as ever.

    While McGregor’s global superstardom and prominence hasn’t dwindled, his form inside the Octagon has plummeted off a metaphorical cliff. By the end of 2016, the Irishman boasted a 9-1 UFC record and was the promotion’s first-ever simultaneous two-division champion. In just four fights since, which came in-between large periods of inactivity, McGregor has gone 1-3.

    Aside from a sole welterweight victory over veteran Donald Cerrone, McGregor has struggled, losing to Khabib Nurmagomedov and twice to Dustin Poirier. Having been knocked out for the first time in his career by “The Diamond” in January this year, McGregor hoped to revive his pursuit to regain the lightweight title at UFC 264 in July. Instead, the 33-year-old left the Octagon with another setback and this time on a stretcher, courtesy of a gruesome broken leg.

    White Is Confident Motivation Isn’t An Issue For McGregor

    Given his form in recent years, the severity of the injury he suffered in the trilogy fight with Poirier, and the immense wealth he already owns, many predicted we’d seen the last of the former double champ inside the Octagon. But if McGregor is to be believed, he’s as eager as ever to fight.

    Having consistently showed the progress he’s been making on his journey to recovery, McGregor has recently been discussing his return to action heavily on social media. After revealing his intention to make his comeback against whoever is holding the lightweight title at the time, the Dublin native suggested he’ll return to full MMA sparring by April.

    During a recent appearance on the Jim Rome Podcast, UFC kingpin Dana White said McGregor’s eagerness to return is genuine, and agreed that a return to sparring in the second quarter of 2022 is an accurate timeframe.

    “Yeah, he’s chomping at the bit to get back in there and compete again. It’s gonna be a while before he can start to put some thwark on that leg so, April, for him to start training again in April, is probably about right.”

    Busting the myth that McGregor has lost his Octagon appetite, White claimed the Irishman’s desire to fight at the highest level still exists.

    “Listen, he obviously still has the desire to compete. You know, you don’t ever hear Conor going, ‘You know what, man? I just don’t have the desire for this anymore.’ Yes, he’s obviously very rich and he’s training like Rocky in Rocky 3, you know what I mean? But he still has the desire to compete and the desire to fight. We’ll see what happens.”

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CW-lAT3JoWC/

    What’s certain is that McGregor won’t be short of options when his comeback is due. Aside from the lightweight title shot he desires, which could come in the form of a fourth clash with Poirier, and the fact virtually everyone would accept a fight with him, a number of contenders have made their desire to face him known.

    Ahead of his clash with Yair Rodriguez, Max Holloway made it clear that he’d be willing to run it back with the Irishman, who defeated him back in 2013. Meanwhile, Michael Chandler is continuing to look for big fights, and called out McGregor for a 2022 booking.

    Do you think Conor McGregor can make a successful comeback?