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Tag: Dana White

  • “Nothing Is Done Yet” – Dana White Disputes Conor McGregor’s Claims About Being Signed For UFC White House Card

    “Nothing Is Done Yet” – Dana White Disputes Conor McGregor’s Claims About Being Signed For UFC White House Card

    UFC CEO and President Dana White is telling the world to hold their horses in regards to Conor McGregor’s claims that he is locked in for the UFC White House event in June.

    At the UFC 320 post-fight press conference, White was asked about recent claims made by McGregor, who has gone around various media outlets to promote the UFC White House event and seemingly confirming his participation in it.

    While White has previously teased McGregor fighting at the event, he says that nothing is set in stone. In fact, he isn’t even thinking about laying out a full card with participants just yet.

    “We’re still talking about the production and how everything is going to work at the White House,” White said. “We have not started negotiating any fights for the White House yet. That won’t even start till February.

    “I made it clear: Conor wants to fight on that card, and you can clearly see Conor is fired up to fight on that card, but nothing is done yet.”

    Dana White Says Conor McGregor Isn’t Signed For UFC White House Yet

    Though not everyone believes in what he says, McGregor has appeared on various mainstream programs over the last week or so, claiming that a deal for him to return to the Octagon in Washington, D.C. is “signed and delivered.”

    McGregor, in fact, doubled down on his claims and says that he is communicating and negotiating directly with U.S. President Donald Trump and the United States government to appear at the event.

    This has led to plenty of skepticism about his claims, and White pushed back against this as well in his remarks.

    “No fights are being negotiated with the White House,” White said.

    McGregor has previously posted what seemed to be his demands to compete on the card — $100 million and 100 of the new “Gold Cards” Trump is introducing.

    McGregor has not fought since losing to Dustin Poirier at UFC 264; however, he re-entered the UFC’s drug-testing pool earlier this year.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 8 Highlights As 4 Awarded UFC Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 8 Highlights As 4 Awarded UFC Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with a highlight, finished-filled night in Las Vegas.

    DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

    Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode eight of season nine this week saw four prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.

    Kurtis Campbell provided the first highlight of the night, scoring a first-round finish of Demba Seck. Campbell laid in a solid head kick in the opening seconds before Seck tried to fire back with a kick-based offense of his own. Campbell scored a takedown to try and nullify Seck’s offense. Seck was able to work his way to his feet, but Campbell landed a solid knee that put him back down. Some follow-up shots later, and Campbell had done enough for the win and a UFC contract.

    Christopher Alvidrez followed that up with a solid performance over Eliezer Kubanza. Alvidrez dictated the pace, mixing up his strikes and nearly scoring a takedown on Kubanza in the first. While Kubanza landed some power shots, Alvidrez landed a solid one-two that caught Kubanza’s attention. Kubanza, however, landed a damaging body kick and caught Alvidrez coming in, briefly using his grappling to pin him to the fence.

    Alvidrez turned things into his favor for good with a right hand, followed by a left, to drop Kubanza. Alvidrez then unleashed a flurry on the ground, and despite a long leash from referee Herb Dean, the fight was stopped, giving Alvidrez a late first-round finish and a UFC contract.

    In the co-main event, Louis Jourdain, the brother of UFC fighter Charles Jourdain, pulled off a third-round submission of Magno Dias. Jourdain came out with some speed in his strikes, looking to take control early, while Dias looked to pressure him toward the fence. Jourdain briefly dropped Dias with an elbow, but Dias got back to his feet and managed to score a takedown. Dias locked in a neck crank, but Jourdain managed to scramble out and get top position, working his way back to the feet.

    Jourdain troubled Dias with a calf kick and a solid knee in the second round until Dias pushed Jourdain to the fence. Dias looked to take back control with the fight back on the ground, but Jourdain got the fight standing, landing more leg kicks and troubling Dias’ movement. Jourdain laid in a couple of more knees in the third round before working around Dias’ guard attempt to score a rear-naked choke and UFC contract via submission.

    In the main event, Damian Pinas managed to land a devastating blow to score a big knockout of Vitor Costa. Pinas landed an uppercut that split Costa’s guard, landing a strong flurry in the first minute of the fight. Costa landed some low kicks and tried to get on the inside before taking Pinas to the fence briefly. A short time later, however, Pinas cracked Costa with a right hand, dropping Costa out cold for the highlight knockout and UFC contract.

    The night opened with Rashid Vagabov sweeping the cards against Paulo Henrique. Vagabov landed from the outside despite Henrique’s pressure, landing low kicks and working combinations. The two had their exchanges of power shots during the opening round, but Vagabov controlled the last portion of the first round, pinning Henrique against the fence before scoring a takedown. Henrique brought the grappling pressure in the second round, pressing Vagabov into the fence. A takedown attempt was reversed, however, and Vagabov quickly brought the action back to the feet, controlling the action there.

    Vagabov then dominated the third round with grappling, scoring a takedown and being unrelenting with his pressure, nearly scoring a submission on a couple of occasions before earning a decision win. It wasn’t, however, enough to earn a contract.

    Rashid Vagabov vs. Paulo Henrique

    Kurtis Campbell vs. Demba Seck

    Eliezer Kubanza vs. Christopher Alvidrez

    Louis Jourdain vs. Magno Dias

    Vitor Costa vs. Damian Pinas

  • Jon Jones can’t expect Dana White to trust him after recent “games”, says UFC legend

    Jon Jones can’t expect Dana White to trust him after recent “games”, says UFC legend

    UFC legend Kamaru Usman has explained why he understands Dana White’s hesitation over booking Jon Jones for UFC White House.

    Next summer, the Ultimate Fighting Championship looks set to put on a blockbuster event at the White House. Conor McGregor is someone who is eager to make his return on that card, and the same can be said for Jon Jones. However, Dana White certainly seems to trust the Irishman a whole lot more than the American.

    Jon Jones vacated the UFC heavyweight title after seemingly not being interested in a fight against interim champion Tom Aspinall. With that being said, he quickly made it clear that he wants to come back after the promotion announced the aforementioned White House fight.

    In a recent podcast, Kamaru Usman weighed in on the whole debacle regarding Dana White and Jones.

    Kamaru Usman’s view on Jon Jones’ attitude

    “You’ve got Jon Jones,” Usman said while listing the White House options. “He wants to come back and do it. Listen, I would love that for Jon Jones.

    “But Jon, you can’t play with the game the way he’s played with the game and expect Dana to still trust you and let you back in to do this. You can’t play with the game like that.”

    Quotes via Bloody Elbow

    ‘Bones’ doesn’t really have much of a leg to stand on here whereas Dana White needs to look at this objectively, understanding the constant risks that come with putting Jon in there against just about anyone.

  • Zuffa Boxing Broadcast Deal Puts Events On Paramount Platforms Starting 2026

    Zuffa Boxing Broadcast Deal Puts Events On Paramount Platforms Starting 2026

    Zuffa Boxing has found its exclusive streaming home with Paramount+.

    On Monday, TKO Group, the parent company of UFC and WWE, revealed that its boxing promotion will stream exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America, with Paramount Skydance Corp. serving as the exclusive broadcast partner.

    The partnership will kick off in 2026 with 12 live cards and supplemental programming, with plans for further expansion in the years ahead.

    According to a press release, the fights will be accessible through Paramount’s direct-to-consumer streaming service, Paramount+. Beyond 2026, the number of live cards is set to grow, with select bouts also slated to air on CBS and other Paramount streaming platforms.

    Zuffa Boxing is the newly launched professional boxing promotion created by TKO Group in partnership with entertainment conglomerate Sela. It is led by a powerhouse team including UFC CEO Dana White, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Sela CEO Dr. Rakan Alharthy, and WWE President and TKO director Nick Khan.

    The announcement comes on the heels of UFC’s major broadcasting shift from ESPN to Paramount, sealed last month with a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal set to begin in 2026. Under the agreement, UFC will feature a full schedule of 13 premier numbered events and 30 Fight Nights, marking a move away from most traditional pay-per-view models.

    Dana White and Turki Alalshikh
    Image: @Turki_alalshikh/Instagram

    Dana White Weighs In On Zuffa Boxing Deal With Paramount

    Dana White expressed his enthusiasm about the Zuffa Boxing deal with Paramount. The UFC CEO highlighted that the partnership will bring high-quality boxing to a global audience, giving fans access to both rising talent and established stars.

    “I’m excited to bring great boxing events to a global audience,” White said in a press release. “There are millions of boxing fans that will now be able to watch competitive fights with up-and-coming boxers as well as the biggest stars in the sport. Paramount will be the home for UFC and boxing fans to watch the greatest fights in combat sports.”

    Image: CBSSports.com
  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 7 Highlights As 6 Awarded UFC Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 7 Highlights As 6 Awarded UFC Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with a highlight, finished-filled night in Las Vegas.

    DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

    Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode seven of season nine this week saw six prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.

    The night had a strong start, courtesy of Rafael Tobias scoring a win over Jair de Oliveira. Tobias landed a counter shot in the opening minute of the fight, appearing to hurt de Oliveira and forcing him to use the clinch to recover. Tobias did not let up on the pressure and power, however, cutting off the cage on a constant basis. Tobias was able to score a takedown after a body kick, and he locked in a rear-naked choke on de Oliveira, scoring a first-round submission and earning a UFC deal.

    Things only got better with Javier Torres pulling off a comeback finish of Justice Torres. Torres looked to bring pressure to Reyes early and get him toward the fence with his striking. But Reyes was able to find an opening and land a right hook to the body, starting up a sequence of power that overwhelmed Torres. The shots would bring Torres down to the mat covering up, giving Reyes the first-round finish and a UFC contract.

    In what will go down as one of the best fights DWCS has ever seen, Jeisla Chaves came out on top in a war with Sofia Montenegro. Chaves and Montenegro came out with striking exchanges right away, with both ladies sporting blood on the sides of their faces within the first minute. Montenegro’s straight shots were finding their mark, but Chaves’ combinations and hooks were also leaving an impact. After a violent first round that earned praises for both women, Montenegro’s striking dropped Chaves in the first minute of round two. Chaves was able to get to her feet and landed some strong shots in the round’s final minute, but most of the round saw her pinned to the ground and fence by Montenegro.

    The bloody war continued into a solid third round, with Chaves earning the split decision victory in a fight that could have fallen either way. It truly was one of the best fights of the DWCS season, and White displayed that by giving both women contracts. This makes both women’s fights this season the two fights so far to have both the winner and loser earn contracts.

    Finishes returned in the co-main event, as Murtazali Magomedov pulled off a victory over Brahyan Zurcher. As the two seemed to get their striking going in the opening frame, Magomedov landed a jab that appeared to stumble Zurcher, getting through his guard and wobbling him. Magomedov then pressed and scored the finish seconds later, earning a victory and a UFC contract in quick fashion.

    And one more strong performance came courtesy of the main event, as Mantas Kondratavicius put away Dani Barbir. Kondratavicius pressured right away, intending to get the fight to the ground quickly. He was able to do so, but Barbir scambled up and pressed himself. After a minute, Kondratavicius landed a one-two with a right hand that put Barbir’s lights out, giving him a UFC contract and capping off one of the best DWCS nights of the season.

    Rafael Tobias vs. Jair de Oliveira

    Javier Reyes vs. Justice Torres

    Sofia Montenegro vs. Jeisla Chaves

    Brahyan Zurcher vs. Murtazali Magomedov

    Dani Barbir vs. Mantas Kondratavicius

  • Oscar De La Hoya Slams Dana White: “He regrets abandoning the UFC for a sport that doesn’t want him”

    Oscar De La Hoya Slams Dana White: “He regrets abandoning the UFC for a sport that doesn’t want him”

    Boxing promoter Oscar De La Hoya has gone after UFC boss Dana White as their war of words, now spanning years, continues.

    We all know that Oscar De La Hoya and Dana White aren’t exactly big fans of one another. They have spent a long time criticizing the other and now, Dana has actually ventured over into the world of professional boxing. In terms of what that means for both men moving forward, it’s not quite clear, especially given we’re in the early stages of this shift.

    In a recent video, however, Oscar De La Hoya wasn’t about to hold back when describing how he feels about White.

    Oscar De La Hoya goes after Dana White

    “Speaking of poor promotion; Dana White didn’t have his best week. His t shirt shrank smaller every minute. Especially when he was questioned about his attempt to ammend the Muhammad Ali Act.

    “So you’re saying this reporter is an ‘Asshole’ because he’s asking a legitimate question? That’s because te Muhammad Ali Act protects fighters. And TKO needs it to change so they can fuck fighters over. Sorry Uncle Fester. You can’t muzzle boxing media like you do in the UFC.

    “And after this debacle, he decided to skip the undercard and shows up at the beginning of the main event where he’s just watching the UFC on his phone the entire time. I wonder if he regrets abondoning the UFC for a sport that doesn’t want him.”

    Don’t be surprised if we hear a retort soon, folks.

  • Dana White Claims Jon Jon has Apologized for His Actions Towards the UFC

    Dana White Claims Jon Jon has Apologized for His Actions Towards the UFC

    UFC boss Dana White has claimed that Jon Jones has apologized for his actions towards the promotion as of late.

    As we know, Dana White is willing to settle differences if there’s money to be made – but it often takes a great deal of time and effort. When it comes to Jon Jones, however, Dana is usually quite accommodating, largely because he considers him to be the greatest fighter in the history of mixed martial arts.

    Despite that, even Dana White was pretty frustrated when Jon agreed to fight Tom Aspinall in a giant UFC heavyweight championship fight, only to walk away, despite seemingly being offered the money that he was asking for. Now that Jones has said he wants to un-retire and fight at the White House next year, Dana is understandably quite hesitant to commit to such an idea.

    In a recent podcast appearance, Dana White said that Jon Jones has since apologized to him for how all of this has gone down.

    Dana White clarifies Jon Jones issue

    “Jon sent me a text apologizing, but I need people that I can seriously rely on for this one [White House card]. People talk s*** about Conor — I’ve been in the trenches with Conor. He doesn’t care, he’ll literally fight anybody. Conor and I’ve been talking nonstop and he’s dead serious.”

    Who knows what the future holds for White and Jones and the UFC White House card – but what we do know is that right now, the boss isn’t interested.

  • Why Did Dana White Nearly Come to Blows in the UFC Boardroom During COVID? UFC President Explains

    Why Did Dana White Nearly Come to Blows in the UFC Boardroom During COVID? UFC President Explains

    Dana White has revealed that he nearly got into a fist fight with a UFC executive towards the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    UFC boss Dana White is a strong-minded guy, and he’ll always push forward with trying to do things his own way. That was the case at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic when, against all advice, he did everything in his power to put on events, even though the majority of other sports had shut down after advice from the government and health organizations.

    As you can imagine, Dana White received a lot of backlash for this decision. Instead of stepping down, though, he found a way to make the fights happen, and wound up receiving a mixture of praise and criticism for the move.

    In a recent interview, Dana White revealed just how unhappy one of the UFC executives was with this decision.

    Dana White’s near-miss fight with UFC executive 

    “Imagine when the s*** was going on and I said, nah, we’re gonna go through COVID. Imagine that one.”

    “I almost had a fist fight in one of our executive meetings. One of our execs thought that was absolutely not the right idea. F***ing freaked out, and I said, go home. No f***ing problem. You can go sit at home for the next f***ing, six to eight months. I don’t wanna hear any of your negativity. Don’t wanna f***ing hear it.”

    Love him or hate him, Dana is willing to stick to his guns no matter what.

  • Dana White Lashes Out When Asked About the UFC’s Superstar Problems

    Dana White Lashes Out When Asked About the UFC’s Superstar Problems

    UFC boss Dana White wasn’t happy when being asked about the promotion potentially having a problem with a lack of superstars right now.

    For the longest time, Dana White has been building the brand of the Ultimate Fighting Championship – and it’s gone pretty well for him. From a financial point of view, he could easily ride off into the sunset and retire, but he instead opts to keep going in an attempt to grow the UFC even more.

    One thing that has been pointed out, though, is that there aren’t as many must-see fighters currently active in the UFC. While Dana White will point to the finances of it all, especially after their recent TV deal, there certainly aren’t as many big names as there was once.

    When asked about this by Logan Paul, Dana White had the following to say.

    Dana White’s view on superstar problem in UFC

    “I would love to hear, who the f*** is the guy that’s saying they have a superstar problem? Tell me what f***ing genius, in the business, right? Even these boxing guys that I was arguing with ten years ago. Where are they all now?”

    White was told that Logan had heard it from Ariel Helwani, at which point he laughed the situation off. Either way, though, this feels like quite a relevant topic right now, especially as the UFC White House card approaches next year.

    Who knows, maybe the potential return of Conor McGregor will change some opinions on this matter.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 6 Highlights As 4 Awarded UFC Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 6 Highlights As 4 Awarded UFC Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with another night of memorable action in Las Vegas.

    DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

    Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode six of season nine this week saw four prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.

    Cody Chovancek got the night off with a finish, taking out Raphael Uchegbu. Despite a fence grab while defending Uchegbu’s grappling attempts, Chovancek rocked and dropped Uchegbu with an elbow. Uchegbu would not be deterred, however, using a triangle to threaten a submission and try to limit Chovancek’s movement on the ground. After Uchegbu’s grappling was fended off again in the second, Chovancek landed a combination just seconds into the final round to earn the finish.

    Thomas Gantt earned a strong performance in his own right, defeating Adam Livingston. A protegee of Daniel Cormier, Gantt pressured Livingston to the fence in a clinching battle. In spite of fence grabs by Livingston, earning him a point deduction, Gantt scored a strong takedown and didn’t take back, completely overwhelming Livingston with his grappling strength. Gantt locked up a guillotine for the first-round submission victory and a UFC contract.

    The biggest underdog of the night, Iwo Baraniewski, pulled off a stunner in the co-main event, taking out Mahamed Aly in only 20 seconds. Baraniewski took a leg kick from Aly but needed just one strong right hand to put him to the canvas. Despite protests not long after the stoppage, referee Mike Beltran called it one second after Aly’s head hit the canvas. Needless to say, Baraniewski earned a UFC deal.

    In the main event, Hecher Sosa came away with an easy decision win over Mackson Lee. Sosa pressured Lee almost immediately, bringing him to the fence and overwhelming him with striking attacks. Lee only landed two strikes the entire first round, however, he nearly scored a guillotine choke submission. Sosa went back to overwhelming pressure in the second round, and despite a brief slowdown towards the later stage of that round, it was a dominating performance for Sosa, who swept the scorecards and earned a contract.

    TUF 32 alumnus Paddy McCorry was in action this evening as well, taking on Hwang In-su. In-su was able to pressure McCorry during the first two rounds but found himself unable to pull the trigger. McCorry was able to land leg kicks and counter strikes, trying to show off his power. In spite of McCorry’s aggressive approach, neither man really pulled the trigger much in the later stages of the fight. Despite his win, McCorry was not awarded a contract.

    Raphael Uchegbu vs. Cody Chovancek

    Hwang In-su vs. Paddy McCorry

    Adam Livingston vs. Thomas Gantt

    Iwo Baraniewski vs. Mahamed Aly

    Hecher Sosa vs. Mackson Lee

  • Netflix: Crawford vs. Canelo Draws an Incredible 41.1M Global Viewers

    Netflix: Crawford vs. Canelo Draws an Incredible 41.1M Global Viewers

    Canelo Alvarez’s clash with Terence Crawford was a smashing success for Netflix.

    According to Netflix, the undisputed title tilt between two of boxing’s brightest stars drew in more than 41 million global viewers, making it the most-viewed men’s championship bout this century.

    “Over 41 million global viewers watched #CaneloCrawford on Netflix, making it the most-viewed men’s championship boxing match this century!” the streaming giant announced on X.

    Per a report from Reteurs, the peak viewership for Crawford-Canelo was more than 24 million concurrent streams and it was the top-ranked program on Netflix in 30 nations, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Philippines, Australia and Argentina.

    Crawford vs. Canelo Gate Good Enough for Third-Highest in Boxing History

    UFC CEO Dana White, who promoted the event alongside Turki Alalshikh in Las Vegas, also revealed that the total gate at Allegiant Stadium was a whopping $47.23 million. That’s good enough to make it the third-highest gate in boxing history, only behind Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor‘s $55 million gate and Mayweather’s showdown with Manny Pacquiao which holds down the top spot, having brought in $72 million.

    Crawford won the bout on Saturday night, securing a unanimous decision victory over Canelo to capture the undisputed super middleweight world championship. With the win, ‘Bud’ improved his overall record to 42-0 (31 KO) while Canelo fell to 63-3 (39 KO) with his only other losses coming against Floyd Mayweather and Dmitry Bivol.

    While 41 million is an undeniably impressive number, it still pales in comparison to November’s fight between Jake Paul and ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, which brought in 108 million global viewers on Netflix.

  • Why Dana White is Picking Conor McGregor over Jon Jones

    Why Dana White is Picking Conor McGregor over Jon Jones

    MMA analyst Chael Sonnen has given his thoughts on why Dana White seemingly trusts Conor McGregor more than Jon Jones heading into next summer’s UFC White House event.

    It’s no secret that the UFC White House show is going to be an absolutely huge deal for the promotion if it happens. Dana White seems to be very serious about getting it done and more often than not, when that dynamic develops, he doesn’t stop until it becomes official.

    Recently, Jon Jones and Conor McGregor have made it known they want to compete at the White House – but Dana White seemed to be more comfortable with the idea of McGregor fighting on that card than Jones. In a recent video, Chael Sonnen explained why he thinks that’s the case.

    Chael Sonnen on Dana White, Conor McGregor and Jon Jones

    “Jon really wants on the card. Jon did something that was deemed underhanded in his negotiations with Aspinall. This gets made public. Jon apologizes. He went to Dana White in a text message. Dana said, ‘I let it be known that I didn’t like how this whole thing went down with Aspinall. 

    “I thought that we had had an agreement. I’m not cool with that.’ And Jon came to him and apologized, said, ‘I’m sorry how this whole thing went down with Tom.’ And that goes a long way. I’m just following the golden rule in life, but put myself in Dana’s shoes. If I get this apology from Jon, that goes a long way. It doesn’t heal everything, but it means something.”

    “Conor McGregor would be the go-to guy. Dana White gave Conor a tremendous compliment, saying, ‘Man, I can count on him. If I got a deal with him and things go awry—and they always do—he will do what he says, which is compete at the agreed-upon weight class for the agreed-upon price with whoever it ends up being.’ 

    “That’s a big deal, especially for your top draw. Of the 700-plus athletes under contract, they’re all hearing that compliment. It does change with top draws—they get a little more difficult and if you change part of the deal, they see it as their right to change their part, which just means more money. So, Dana paying that compliment to Conor is a big deal.”

  • Eddie Hearn vs. Dana White – Boxing Promoter Ready to Take on UFC Boss

    Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has made it crystal clear that he wouldn’t be opposed to going head to head with UFC boss Dana White following his entry into the sport of boxing.

    For many years now, Eddie Hearn has been viewed as one of the best promoters in boxing, and perhaps in all of combat sports. He has never been afraid to speak his mind, and he’s always tried to put on the best fights possible – even if that’s rubbed a few people the wrong way.

    Now, there’s a new challenger in the boxing space, and his name is Dana White. Dana was part of the promotion for the Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez event last weekend and Eddie Hearn clearly took notice of that.

    In a recent interview, Eddie Hearn spoke openly about what it means for White to enter boxing, and what he’s excited for.

    Eddie Hearn’s view on Dana White

    “You’re not going to see me slagging off Dana White – not because I don’t want to upset him, because I respect him. The one thing I would really like at this point in my career is to go head-to-head with him and to take him on. I want to compete against Dana White. 

    “I want to prove that I’m much better than him as a boxing promoter. So, I’m excited for him to come into the space. Competition’s fantastic, but you’re not going to come into boxing and steamroll the game. It’s not going to happen. Let’s see how it plays out.”

  • Is Conor McGregor Fighting at the UFC White House Event? Dana White Gives Interesting Answer

    Is Conor McGregor Fighting at the UFC White House Event? Dana White Gives Interesting Answer

    UFC boss Dana White has provided an update on Conor McGregor potentially competing at next summer’s planned UFC White House event.

    We all know that Conor McGregor is one of the biggest stars in the history of mixed martial arts. Alas, in the last few years, his reputation has taken a bit of a battering, with many wondering if we’re ever going to see him compete again for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    Following the announcement that UFC White House is likely going to happen in summer 2026, Conor McGregor made it known that he is interested in the idea of coming back for the card. Of course, it all comes down to whether or not he’s serious about his interest.

    In a recent interview, Dana White once again made it clear that he’d be open to booking Conor McGregor on the card.

    Dana White discusses Conor McGregor at UFC White House

    “Yeah, we’ll see how this thing plays out. I’ll start making this card in February. If it all plays out that way, Conor can be on the card.”

    The interviewer, Jim Rome, then questioned whether Conor can do what Dana needs him to do.

    “This is the fight business. This isn’t tennis! This is the fight business.”

    Before anything else, Dana White is a businessman – and he is well aware of the eyes that ‘Notorious’ brings to the sport. Who knows, maybe if the cards fall right, this event will end up being even bigger than UFC 300.

  • Dana White Outlines His Future Plans in the Sport of Boxing

    Dana White Outlines His Future Plans in the Sport of Boxing

    UFC boss Dana White has spoken openly about the kind of plans he has for professional boxing in the future.

    For the longest time, Dana White has been teasing the idea of a proper move into the world of boxing. Now, as a result of his Saudi-backed partnership, he finally seems to be taking steps to making it happen. That really started with the Canelo/Crawford fight over the weekend, which Dana played a big role in helping to promote.

    Of course, while that was easily one of the biggest fights of this generation, you’d also have to think that it’s only the beginning. Dana White has the financial backing necessary to do some really interesting things in the sport and while the morality of it all is something that will continue to be questioned, we’re likely to see even more high profile fights moving forward.

    In a recent interview, Dana White spoke candidly about his plans.

    Dana White discusses his entry into boxing

    “The Contender style, I think that I can add a lot of value to the sport and to a lot of these young up-and-comers. We did all the groundwork for this thing — television deal, arena deal, production — this is going to be the third biggest fight in history. And what I’m focused on is what we want to do in 2026, where we do my own thing with Turki Al-Sheikh, a Contender style series in boxing, where the top, undefeated fighters face each other, making the entire card exciting from the first fight to the last. 

    “I promise within a couple of years, you’ll have people tuning in to all the fights from start to finish consistently.”

  • ‘So F**kin Disrespectful’ – Dana White Faces Backlash From MMA Fans After Announcing $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard

    ‘So F**kin Disrespectful’ – Dana White Faces Backlash From MMA Fans After Announcing $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard

    Dana White is setting significant plans in motion as he prepares for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing event.

    White is establishing his presence in the boxing promotion landscape under the TKO banner, with his partnership alongside Turki Alalshikh putting Zuffa Boxing firmly in motion. That vision takes its first big step this weekend as the UFC CEO helps steer the highly anticipated Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford showdown on Saturday, September 13, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

    During a recent appearance on the Stephen A. Smith Show, announced that undercard fighters would be eligible for Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night bonuses, with $100,000 awarded for each honor.

    “So on the undercard fights — Canelo and Crawford are going to do just fine on Saturday night, they’re going to be OK — but on the undercard fights, we’re going to have a Performance of the Night and a Fight of the Night,” White said. “$100,000 each for the fighters on the undercard from Sheik Turki. So you can be involved in the Performance of the Night and the Fight of the Night and take home $200,000 for these undercard fighters.”

    The Canelo vs. Crawford undercard features a total of nine bouts, meaning every boxer aside from the headliners is eligible for the $100,000 bonuses provided by Alalshikh.

    UFC Fans Slam Dana White After He Announces $100K Bonuses For Canelo vs. Crawford Undercard

    Dana White’s plan to award $100,000 bonuses exclusively to undercard fighters on the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford boxing card contrasts with the UFC setup, where typically two Performance of the Night bonuses and one Fight of the Night bonus are handed out and all fighters are eligible.

    However, the announcement has ignited a wave of outrage on social media, with MMA fans sharply criticizing the UFC CEO for not extending similar $100,000 bonuses to UFC fighters.

    https://twitter.com/yourclipss/status/1966579959054438527

    Last year, Dana White issued one-off increases to post-fight bonuses for select pay-per-view events. Notably, for the historic UFC 300, bonuses were raised to $300,000. Similarly, at UFC 304, White doubled the usual $50,000 bonus to $100,000 at the request of King Green.

    The UFC CEO has hinted that UFC fighters could see an increase in their post-fight bonuses under the promotion’s groundbreaking $7.7 billion TV rights deal with Paramount, which is slated to take effect in 2026.

    UFC Secures New Streaming Partner As Paramount Strikes Whopping $7.7 Billion Deal
    Image: UFC.com
  • Watch the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Final Pre-Fight Press Conference (9 p.m. ET)

    Watch the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Final Pre-Fight Press Conference (9 p.m. ET)

    We are just two nights away now from the highly anticipated undisputed super middleweight title bout that sees Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford. And now it’s time for a little more build to this already high intensity matchup among two of boxing’s pound-for-pound best with a good old fashioned press conference.

    This will be one of the last times the two will speak to each other, as well as the fans and the media, prior to their clash on Saturday night, September 13, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    Though Alvarez picked up his initial super middleweight title back in December 2018, he became the undisputed champion with an 11th-round finish of Caleb Plant in November 2021. He became a two-time undisputed champion by defeating William Scull in May. This will mark the seventh unified super middleweight title defense for the four-division world champion.

    The undefeated Crawford has also been an undisputed boxing world champion before, winning all four alphabet titles at both light welterweight and welterweight. This will be his first matchup since his controversial win over Ismail Madrimov to become WBO interim light middleweight champion. This is Crawford’s first fight at super middleweight.

    The Netflix card will also feature Callum Walsh taking on Fernando Vargas Jr., Christian M’bili defending the interim WBC super middleweight title against Lester Martinez, and Mohammed Alakel facing Travis Kent Crawford.

    Watch the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford Press Conference

    Alvarez and Crawford will partake in a press conference on the evening of September 11 in Las Vegas. This is the opportunity for fighters to answer questions from media and fans, as well as potentially lay in some smack talk on their opponents.

    Check out a live stream of the presser below via the UFC’s official YouTube channel, commencing at 9 PM ET.

  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 5 Highlights As 5 Awarded UFC Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 5 Highlights As 5 Awarded UFC Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with another night of memorable action in Las Vegas.

    DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

    Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode five of season nine this week saw five prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.

    The night started with a banger, as Carol Foro pulled off a victory over Shanelle Dyer. Foro’s fists got going in the opening round, dropping Dyer twice and opening up a bad cut around one of her eyes. Dyer tried to get more volume with her strikes during the second round, but she was knocked down by Foro once again. Dyer picked things up in the third round but was unable to get the finish, as Foro took the decision in an action-packed battle. The fight impressed White so much that he awarded both women a UFC contract.

    Samuel Sanches followed that up with a brutal first-round knockout of Chasen Blair. Blair attempted to bring the pressure to Sanches with power and pressing him up against the fence. After some in close fighting, Sanches landed a hard-hitting boxing combination, which ended with a left hook that slumped Blair out cold against the cage for the victory and the UFC contract.

    Lerryann Douglas would pull off what White considered one of the best knockouts he’s seen in the evening’s co-main event, defeating Cam Teague in under a minute. Douglas did a number on Teague with leg kicks in the opening 25 seconds before connecting on a right hand that wobbled Teague. As Teague scrambled, Douglas nailed him with a left hand that faceplanted him, earning Douglas a UFC contract.

    The heavyweight main event saw another sub-minute finish, as Steven Asplund took care of business against Anthony Guarascio. The two brought out their power right away, with Vasplund quickly dropping Guarascio with an uppercut, followed by some brief ground-and-pound before the referee stopped the match. In less than 20 seconds, Vasplund had a performance worthy of a UFC contract.

    The evening also featured a light heavyweight bout that saw Freddy Vidal score a comeback victory over Felipe Franco. Franco looked to control the action early with grappling, but Vidal made him pay with strikes. On the ground, Vidal landed some strong ground-and-pound to trouble Franco. Franco would turn things around in the second, using his positioning to pin and pressure Vidal while matching him in striking this time around.

    Vidal’s energy appeared drained in the third round and Franco controlled him with his pressuring. The fight would go to the ground, however, and Vidal managed to turn things around, looking for submissions. Vidal would get to the back and under the neck for a choke, and Franco went out, scoring the submission with just 12 seconds remaining.

    While the fight was considered “horrible” by White, combined with Vidal missing weight, the finish and circumstances (Vidal taking the fight on six days’ notice) allowed White and the matchmakers to give him a fight on the final episode of the season to give him another shot at a contract.

    Shanelle Dyer vs. Carol Foro

    Chasen Blair vs. Samuel Sanches

    Felipe Franco vs. Freddy Vidal

    Cam Teague vs. Lerryan Douglas

    Anthony Guarascio vs. Steven Asplund

  • UFC CEO Dana White Reportedly Racks Up $25 Million Debt At Red Rock Casino

    UFC CEO Dana White Reportedly Racks Up $25 Million Debt At Red Rock Casino

    Dana White may be staring down a mountain of gambling debt.

    White isn’t just the driving force behind one of the most profitable sports organizations in the world, he’s also equally famous for his high-stakes gambling habit, where he’s scored massive wins in Las Vegas casinos.

    Back in July, the UFC boss proved once again why casinos keep a close eye on him, walking away with a staggering $1.2 million win at Fontainebleau the night before UFC 317. His history of big payouts is so notorious that certain venues have reportedly asked him to steer clear after being cleaned out one too many times.

    Several reports suggest the 56-year-old American tycoon has pocketed as much as $7 million in a single night during his hottest runs. He’s even laughed off a wild story about waking up from a blackout with a $3 million debt hanging over him. For White, juggling millions or casually gifting $1000 chips to random fans on the casino floor is just business as usual.

    Dana White Reportedly Owes Red Rock Casino Millions

    A recent Casino.org report claims Dana White may have racked up more than $25 million in debt at Red Rock Casino Resort in Summerlin, Nevada, after allegedly being extended massive credit to fund his big-money baccarat sessions.

    However, White likely isn’t feeling much heat to settle the tab anytime soon, given that Red Rock Casino is run by his longtime ally and former UFC owner, Frank Fertitta.

    “Though not confirmed, the UFC boss owes the Las Vegas-based casino operator as much as $50 million for credit extended to him so that he could play high-limit baccarat and blackjack at the Red Rock Casino Resort in Summerlin, Nevada,” the report stated.

    Image: Fox Sports
  • Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 4 Highlights As 4 Awarded UFC Contracts

    Dana White’s Contender Series Season 9, Episode 4 Highlights As 4 Awarded UFC Contracts

    The latest season of Dana White’s Contender Series continued with another night of memorable action in Las Vegas.

    DWCS began in 2017 and has produced a notable number of fighters currently on the UFC’s roster. Since the show’s inception in 2017, a couple have even gone on to claim UFC championships. Known as “The ultimate job interview,” DWCS features five fights weekly, over the course of 10 weeks, as combatants compete to impress UFC CEO and President Dana White and earn a UFC contract.

    Last year’s edition saw 42 fighters earn a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization across 10 events, slightly down from the 46 handed out in 2023. Episode three of season nine this week saw four prospects earn the opportunity to taste the Octagon’s bright lights.

    The night got underway with a close, wild encounter that saw Tommy McMillen narrowly, controversially edge out a majority decision win over David Mgoyan. McMillen seemed to be in control of the grappling exchanges early on and had decent counters, but Mgoyan rocked him with a counter of his own. Mgoyan then knocked McMillen down a second time with a spinning elbow. Mgoyan scored a flash knockdown and tried to finish McMillen against the fence, but McMillen countered. The fight went to the ground, but Mgoyan remained in control, locking in a tight guillotine and landing strong elbows before the end of the first round.

    McMillen battled back into the fight, stuffing a takedown and controlling the action before getting his striking going, opening cut a nasty cut around one of Mgoyan’s eyes. The two traded plenty in the third round, and though it seemed like Mgoyan had more in the tank, the judges felt McMillen’s striking was more effective, giving him the decision — and subsequently the UFC contract (though Mgoyan would also receive his win money).

    Mandel Nallo also produced a highlight on the night, scoring a first-round knockout of Samuel Silva. Nallo got off to a hot start with his kicks before getting his striking going, landing a perfect right hand on the button to drop Silva out cold, earning himself a UFC contract.

    Cezary Oleksiejczuk, brother of UFC light heavyweight Michal Oleksiejczuk, now joins his brother on the UFC roster after a dominant, but bizarre, first-round finish of Theo Haig. Haig tried to pressure with his grappling but struggled with Oleksiejczuk. Oleksiejczuk managed to get the fight to the mat and laid in some heavy ground-and-referee. Referee Gary Copeland initially called a time-out due to strikes to the back of the head; however, replay review showed the strikes to be legal, and with Haig deemed knocked out by them, the fight was called in Oleksiejczuk’s favor in the first round. The win earned him a UFC contract as well.

    In the main event, Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani closed the night with impact, scoring a knockout of Jack Congdon in just 68 seconds. With the physical disadvantage, Lebosnoyani looked to get inside to work his striking. It would help to land a devastating head kick that put Congdon out on his feet before dropping him with a right hand to seal the deal — and seal himself a contract.

    In a battle of alumni, TUF 33 alumnus Eduardo “Chapolin” Henrique, fighting on less than two weeks’ notice, defeated DWCS alumnus An Tuan Ho. Chapolin seemed to get the better of Ho in the opening round, but he may have been helped by a controversial knee that was not called a foul despite Ho being grounded. Chapolin only received a warning after the fact. Though Ho tried to get back into the fight, Chapolin dominated him with wrestling and damage on the ground over the next two rounds to sweep the scorecards. It, however, was not enough to earn him a UFC contract.

    Tommy McMillen vs. David Mgoyan

    Eduardo “Chapolin” Henrique vs. An Tuan Ho

    https://twitter.com/TakeruCigarra/status/1963042823906754842

    Mandel Nallo vs. Samuel Silva

    Theo Haig vs. Cezary Oleksiejczuk

    Jack Congdon vs. Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani

  • “This Is Going To Be Awesome” – Dana White Says UFC White House Event Is A Done Deal

    “This Is Going To Be Awesome” – Dana White Says UFC White House Event Is A Done Deal

    Ever since it was first brought into the wild, the idea of a UFC White House event has been debated, discussed, derided, and defended. Now, approximately 10 months before the 250th anniversary of the United States, UFC CEO and President Dana White claims plans for an event are now official.

    White made the announcement during an Instagram Live stream on the evening of August 28, stating he had spent the day in Washington, D.C. trying to figure out details in regard to the event

    “We had the meeting at the White House; could not have gone better,” White said. “This is going to be awesome. The White House fight is on. I will have more details on that in the next couple of weeks. But we got it done today.”

    Dana White Says UFC White House Event Is A Go Following Meeting In Washington, D.C.

    U.S. President Donald Trump first teased the idea about a card at the White House during Fourth of July festivities last month. He stated such an event as part of a big series of events to celebrate the Semiquincentennial of the U.S.

    The UFC and White, in a series of interviews, would later indicate the plans were one of serious nature, with full intentions of a card to take place on the lawn of the White House on July 4, 2026.

    White has previously claimed he intends to make the one of the “baddest” cards in UFC history at such an event, though he wouldn’t name any potential names or matchups due to the distance of time between now and the White House card.

    Many fighters have expressed their desire to be selected for such an event, including Conor McGregor and Jon Jones. McGregor hasn’t fought in the UFC since 2021 but has since returned to the UFC’s testing pool. Jones’ retirement lasted only two weeks due to the announcement; however, White has expressed trepidation and a lack of desire in placing Jones on the card.

    It is believed many or all of the tickets for the White House card will be complimentary, and it is unclear if this event would be broadcast on Paramount+ exclusively or on linear CBS networks as well with the UFC’s new U.S. broadcasting deal with Paramount that begins in 2026.

  • Dana White explains why Khamzat Chimaev is a star after UFC 319

    Dana White explains why Khamzat Chimaev is a star after UFC 319

    UFC boss Dana White has explained why Khamzat Chimaev has been able to become a big star in the wake of his win at UFC 319.

    We all know that Dana White enjoys when he has big names doing big numbers on the UFC roster. Of course, it’s not quite as important as it was prior to the ESPN deal which made the company lots of money regardless, but it’s still important. Khamzat Chimaev certainly feels like the next fighter who has reached that position after he dominated Dricus du Plessis on Saturday night to become the new UFC middleweight champion.

    Moving forward, it’ll be interesting to see how Dana White and the matchmakers decide to book Khamzat. There are plenty of options out there for him in multiple weight classes, but given his tendency to be inactive, you’d have to wonder whether or not they’ll push for him to get back in there a bit more frequently.

    In his post-fight press conference, Dana White spoke openly about the star power that Khamzat Chimaev now has in mixed martial arts.

    Dana White praises Khamzat Chimaev after UFC 319

    “Yeah. I mean, he’s a big star now. When you’re asking me, you’re saying how much bigger can he be? I don’t know. We’ll see. But he’s already a big star. Everything about this fight was big—from pay-per-view to all the numbers that we were looking at and just being here in Chicago… The last three days here felt big. He—tonight in the arena—the arena was insane. Yeah, he’s a star.”

  • “Total Bull****” – Dana White & Conor McGregor Dispute Report Of McGregor’s Removal From UFC Roster

    “Total Bull****” – Dana White & Conor McGregor Dispute Report Of McGregor’s Removal From UFC Roster

    The madness surrounding uncertainty over Conor McGregor’s UFC contract status may need to be put on hold.

    According to UFC President & CEO Dana White, reports of McGregor and the UFC supposedly parting ways are untrue.

    “Total bull***,” White posted on social media in response to a post about the report.

    About an hour later, MMA journalist and personality Ariel Helwani reported that McGregor and his team have informed him that McGregor and the UFC have not parted ways.

    He added that, despite what rumors on social media may say, his testing sample came back clean and he told Helwani, “It’s all systems a go.”

    McGregor has not publicly posted to social media since the report from UFC roster trackers came out.

    Dana White And Conor McGregor Refute Reports Of UFC, McGregor Parting Ways

    This all comes a couple of hours after UFC roster trackers, including UFC Roster Watch, on social media posted that McGregor had been removed from the active UFC roster.

    “To everyone messaging me asking, ‘Is this true?’ Yes, according to the official roster, our API indicates that he has been removed,” the account posted. “We are unaware of any negotiations between Conor and the UFC.”

    No reason has been given as to why the API removed McGregor.

    This post speculated rumors about a potential drug test failure, a sunset clause activation, or a potential contract dispute in the wake of the UFC’s new U.S. broadcasting deal with Paramount.

    McGregor, who is running for Irish presidency, was also found civilly liable this past November of sexually assaulting Nikita Hand in a Dublin hotel room in December 2018. His appeals to a higher court have been denied. McGregor is also facing sexual assault allegations from an incident in Miami during the 2023 NBA Finals.

    Over the past month or so, McGregor has mentioned having a desire to return to the Octagon, returning to training and giving a sample to UFC Anti-Doping. McGregor has expressed great interest in headlining the UFC’s event at the White House on July 4, 2026.

    McGregor has not fought in the UFC since his UFC 264 trilogy fight with Dustin Poirier. He hasn’t won a UFC fight since knocking out Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone at UFC 246.

    McGregor and Michael Chandler were initially scheduled to headline UFC 303 last year before McGregor withdrew with a little less than a month to go.

  • UFC & Paramount: Why Fans Are the Biggest Winners and Fighters The Biggest Losers

    UFC & Paramount: Why Fans Are the Biggest Winners and Fighters The Biggest Losers

    Fans are going to win big with the UFC’s new Paramount partnership. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for fighters.

    On Monday, it was announced that the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s broadcasting deal with ESPN+ will end after Paramount plunked down $7.7 billion to obtain the company’s exclusive streaming rights for the next seven years starting in 2026.

    Perhaps the most exciting bit of news is the fact that fans will no longer have to shell out $80 per month for pay-per-view events as all UFC cards, including premium numbered shows, will air exclusively on on Paramount’s streaming service, effectively killing the promotion’s antiquated pay-per-view era.

    That’ll save UFC fans nearly $1,000 annually, but it may come with a cost.

    “The fans are big winners because now it goes from having a plus subscription, plus having to buy pay-per-views for $79.99,” Ariel Helwani said while discussing the UFC/Paramount deal. “If you’re a hardcore fan, that equals approximately $1,000 a year. Now, you don’t have to do that anymore. And as of right now, it’s either eight bucks or 13 bucks to be a Paramount+ subscriber. Way cheaper than being an ESPN Plus UFC fan.”

    “The fighters, to me, they’re the big losers here. Not because the viewership gets affected, that remains to be seen. But they’re sitting here watching all the executives wave their pompoms and say how great this is. They’re hearing Dana White say, this is good for the fighters. So I ask, how is it good for the fighters? Is the base pay going up? Is the introductory pay going up? Are they getting rid of the show-win model? Are the performance bonuses now going to be $100k a pop as opposed to 50k? What becomes of the champions with pay-per-view points? No one has told the fighters. They didn’t consult them. They don’t have to. There’s no collective bargaining agreement.”

    Dana White confirms fighter bonuses will increase with Paramount deal

    With implementation of the UFC/Paramount deal still months away, there’s plenty of time for Dana White and Co. to figure out how to make up for a fighter’s lost PPV points, though White did acknowledge that bonuses would be “going up” following Tuesday’s episode of DWCS.

    “Bonuses are obviously going up,” White said. “So that’ll be big. And just forget about the tide rising with all the other fighters. I mean, just the number that the bonuses bring to a fighter is millions of dollars.”

  • “Bright Futures Ahead Of You” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 12 Recap

    “Bright Futures Ahead Of You” – The TUF Stuff: The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 Episode 12 Recap

    Welcome, everyone, to the 12th and final edition of The TUF Stuff!

    Each week, I’ll be guiding you through a recap of this season’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter, providing updates on what happens in each episode — from the drama and storylines out of the Octagon, to the looks into who the competing fighters are, to what goes down inside the cage.

    This season celebrates the 20th anniversary of TUF. That inaugural season from 2005 helped to influence many future MMA fans, media members, and fighters (yours truly included). And now, two more fighters this summer will get the opportunity to call themselves TUF champions when it’s all said and done.

    Last week saw the second flyweight semifinal, with Team Sonnen’s Joseph Morales scoring a highly controversial decision over Team Cormier’s Imanol Rodriguez. Morales will face Alibi Idiris in the flyweight finale during the UFC 319 prelims this Saturday.

    Recap of The Ultimate Fighter Season 33 – Episode 12

    Now, Team Cormier’s Daniil Donchenko faces Team Sonnen’s Matt Dixon for the right to face Team Cormier’s Rodrigo Sezinando in the welterweight finale at UFC 319!

    Let’s get into episode 12 of The Ultimate Fighter!

    Out In Las Vegas

    As a thank you to the fighters for partaking in the celebration of TUF’s 20th anniversary, Dana White, Daniel Cormier, and Chael Sonnen took the fighters out to Las Vegas. A Vegas Hilton billboard spotlights TUF artwork. Sonnen says while it’s hard for them to call themselves one, considering it’s a competition, tonight is a night they could celebrate their accomplishments. Cormier tells the TUF cast they are all special kids with bright futures ahead of them.

    The fighters take time out at Fuhu Restaurant at Resorts World.

    Cormier says the attitudes of the teams are telling, with Cormier and his team being wild, while Sonnen and his team acting professional.

    TUF House

    Members of Team Sonnen sat around a fire, reflecting on how they got to partake in such an experience. Andreaas Binder reflects that he will miss everyone in the TUF House.

    Team Sonnen Training Session – Rashad Evans Joins

    Assistant Coach Jamie Huey brings in a UFC Hall of Famer to join them with Chael Sonnen unable to join afternoon practice — TUF season two winner and season 10 coach, and former UFC light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans.

    Evans tells the guys that this is a “savage sport” despite the comradery. “You have to tap into that savagery when you’re out there,” Evans said. “Because guess what? That’s what you’re up against.”

    Dixon says Evans is deep and wise from his experience.

    Evans works with the team on transitions, saying the best fighters fight in transition. He adds that fighters have to bring the violence and be willing to sacrifice to get to the top.

    Matt Dixon Call Home

    Dixon receives a call from his family, looking in awe especially at his daughter, whose first two teeth have grown in.

    Dixon says this call from his family re-motivated him, reminding him why he’s here and why he does what he does.

    Dixon says he’s super grateful he got to do this opportunity, and his family are proud of what he’s doing.

    Daniil Donchenko Fight Prep

    Cormier says that Donchenko needs to fight smart and creatively, and he needs to out-pressure Dixon.

    Donchenko says he saw holes in Dixon’s game and feels he has the ability to knock Dixon out.

    Cormier says Dixon will put on pressure and try to brawl with Donchenko — a kind of fight that falls into Donchenko’s hands.

    Cormier says the fight will be a war, and that while Dixon likes to bring the fight, Donchenko takes that kind of fight in.

    Donchenko says his knees and elbows will go into Dixon’s face and body and promises to do damage. Donchenko compares he and Dixon’s fighting styles to fire and water.

    Team Cormier Training Session & TUF House

    Michael Chiesa presents Donchenko with a fish, named Papito, Donchenko’s “Fighting Fish.” Donchenko says the gift means a lot to him because of his connection to his late father, whom he spent time fishing with, who passed away following a drug overdose.

    An emotional Donchenko says it was that experience that reminded him to enjoy life and take nothing for granted — and to do everything you can to make it yours.

    Matt Dixon Fight Prep

    Sonnen says Dixon is both the strongest and most conditioned fighter on the team, calling him an animal.

    Sonnen says Dixon has the power to knock Donchenko out, and he’s not sure about the other way around.

    Dixon says his plan is to pressure and close the distance, implementing dirty boxing. When asked about taking Donchenko down, Dixon says he’s planning to mix that in.

    Dixon says he’s prepared to go to a gritty place to take Donchenko out, calling himself both the better grappler and striker in this fight.

    Dixon says we’ll find out if Donchenko is tough enough to take his shots, adding that if the fight is a three-round brawl, he’ll be happy with that.

    Sonnen says this will be the fight of the season.

    Daniil Donchenko Call Home

    Donchenko has a conversation with his girlfriend. Donchenko says it feels strange being away for so long and now seeing her on television screen.

    Donchenko’s girlfriend says the family is all supporting him and plenty of people are asking about him. Donchenko says he really misses her and will see her soon.

    The Fight: Danill Donchenko vs. Matt Dixon

    —–IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED THE EPISODE AND DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO TURN AWAY NOW.———

    Both fighters weigh in at 171. The fight is on!

    Roybert Echeverria says the two have different kinds of striking styles. He wants to see how Donchenko reacts to Dixon’s pressure. Tumelo Manyamala says Donchenko says he’s good at countering the kind of pressure Dixon brings, with kicks included.

    Dana White says this is perhaps the best of the semifinal matchups. He says both are explosive strikers who look for knockouts.

    Danill Donchenko vs. Matt Dixon

    Round 1

    The two move to the center. Dixon pressures Donchenko to the fence and lands an elbow. Donchenko tries to come in and Dixon clinches him against the fence. Donchenko pressure. Dixon lands a knee. Clinch battle and both men score. Knee to the body by Donchenko. Left hand by Dixon. Low kicks by Donchenko. Body shot by Donchenko. Dixon presses Donchenko to the fence again. Donchenko lands a strong elbow. Series of punches! But they’re landing on the back of the head! Referee Marc Smith calls time out!

    The doctor clears Dixon, who is bloodied. Smith gives Donchenko a hard warning. Low kick by Donchenko. Donchenko tries to pressure. Right hand by Dixon. Donchenko lands a small flurry, but Donchenko is briefly dropped by a right hand! The two trading! One-two by Dixon, but Donchenko lands a power shot. More power shots! Donchenko pressures Dixon to the fence! Dixon goes down! Ground-and-pound! That’s it!

    Danill Donchenko wins an explosive battle to reach the final!

    Winner: Donchenko via first-round KO

    Conclusion

    Cormier says this was a fight that they all expected. White says Donchenko came to knock Dixon out, but Dixon fought back. Dixon ended up rocking Donchenko, but Cormier told Donchenko to take his time and search for opportunities. That came with an elbow that busted Dixon open.

    Sonnen and Cormier says Dixon could have taken a DQ win, but Sonnen says that’s not the way the game is played — and Dixon followed that. Cormier says Dixon “got up and fought like a man.” White, however, says he doesn’t think Dixon was recovered fully when he chose to continue. Sonnen said he knew at that point Donchenko had won.

    Cormier says Donchenko was the better fighter. White, however, gives credit to both men.

    Dixon says he wanted a fight like this and called Donchenko a warrior.

    Donchenko is hyped to be in the finale. He says he’ll be proud of himself today, but the next day it’s back to work as he chases the TUF title.

    Face-offs are then held for the finale fights: Team Sonnen’s Joseph Morales vs. Team Cormier’s Alibi Idiris at flyweight and Rodrigo Sezinando vs. Danill Donchenko (both of Team Cormier) at welterweight.

    Thanks for joining me on this ride for season 33 of TUF and for the final edition of The TUF Stuff!