Dana White – Syndication Server

Dana White teases new UFC rankings system as part of Meta partnership

The current UFC rankings system will soon be a thing of the past with the help of Meta.

The current UFC rankings system will soon be a thing of the past.

As part of a Wednesday announcement on a broader partnership with tech giant Meta, UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] teased that the wheels are in motion for the promotion’s official rankings to be overhauled by Mark Zuckerberg’s company.

“We’ve already started to work on some innovations with Meta around a new fighter rankings system that will debut later this year,” White said in a video posted to Instagram. “Thank God.”

In the past year, White has been very vocal about his unhappiness with the official UFC rankings being controlled by a panel of voters selected by the promotion. That system has been in place since the official UFC rankings were implemented in February 2013.

Instead of voters, the UFC is likely turning to AI technology to compile its rankings with the help of Meta. Last October, White said he and Zuckerberg first discussed the idea, which had him feeling good about “a lot of strong moves here coming into 2025.”

Those moves are now even closer with the new UFC-Meta partnership official.

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Logan Paul reveals Dana White ignored his offer to fight at UFC 300: ‘I’m not CM Punk’

Logan Paul was hoping to be a part of the UFC’s historic 300th pay-per-view show.

[autotag]Logan Paul[/autotag] was hoping to be a part of the UFC’s historic 300th pay-per-view show.

WWE star Paul revealed that he asked [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] if he could be a part of UFC 300 last April, but the UFC CEO didn’t respond to his text. Unlike Paul’s brother Jake, Logan has a good relationship with White.

Paul wrestled in high school and college, and thinks he would have had potential to do well in the octagon. In 2020, Paul sparred former title challenger Paulo Costa at the UFC Performance Institute, and appeared to hold his own in the grappling.

“I told Dana for UFC 300, I texted him, ‘Hey man, consider me available to fight on the undercard in the Sphere,'” Paul said on his IMPAULSIVE podcast. “Basically, completely ignored me, which I think spoke volumes. I haven’t bothered him about it since. I think for the right fight, the right amount of money (I would do it). Man, I’m an entertainer at the end of the day.”

It wouldn’t have been the first time a WWE star competed in the UFC. CM Punk decided to transition to MMA, and made his debut in the octagon at UFC 203 in 2016. He was quickly submitted by Mickey Gall, then lost his second appearance to Mike Jackson by unanimous decision at UFC 225 in 2018, which was later overturned to a no contest after Jackson tested positive for marijuana.

Paul insists he would have done better than Punk.

“He f*cked it up,” Paul said of Punk. “He f*cked it up, and after that Dana was like, ‘I’m never doing this again.’ But, dude, I’m not CM Punk. He’s a great wrestler, not a UFC fighter. I think I would be a much better UFC fighter than I would be as just a boxer. My skill is wrestling. I am a wrestler by trade.

“I think I found a path. I’m a WWE Superstar now, and it’s one of the only things I’ve done in my life where I feel so at home like, ‘Oh you were kind of meant to do this thing.’ I don’t know if I want to turn away from that at the moment and dedicate time to something that would be like a side quest at this point.”

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Joe Rogan: UFC, Dana White ‘f*cked up’ picking slap fighting over kickboxing

Joe Rogan would have liked to see UFC CEO Dana White invest in kickboxing over slap fighting.

[autotag]Joe Rogan[/autotag] would have liked to see UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] invest in kickboxing over slap fighting.

White officially launched slap fighting league Power Slap in late 2022, which started off with events at the UFC Apex, and has recently expanded to locations such as Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. White went as far as saying Power Slap would become bigger than the UFC.

Upon the news of White’s involvement with slap fighting, Rogan admitted it’s not his cup of tea. He still stands by that opinion, and thinks White would have been better off going into kickboxing.

“I think the UFC f*cked up when they went with slap fighting,” Rogan said on his Fight Companion for UFC Fight Night 255. “I’ve been telling them forever, ‘You guys should get into kickboxing.’ If you only like standup fights, it’s not like the old days of kickboxing where they were boring. The knockouts are f*cking crazy.

“Kickboxing with MMA gloves in a cage would be giant. Just have a striking-only segment of the UFC. Glory’s got some elite fighters. I watch Glory all the time. It’s f*cking exciting, but nobody’s watching it. Nobody knows who these people are.”

Glory Kickboxing has helped produced two of the biggest stars in UFC history in the form of former UFC champions Israel Adesanya and Alex Pereira. More kickboxers, such as Artem Vakhitov, have recently followed suit in their transition to MMA.

The UFC recently invested in jiu-jitsu after signing five-time IBJJF world champion Mikey Musumeci to an exclusive deal with matches streaming on UFC Fight Pass. Adding onto the slew of ventures the UFC CEO is involved in, White and TKO partnered with chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh, to launch a new boxing promotion.

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Tom Aspinall confident about Jon Jones fight after ‘fantastic meeting’ with UFC

Can the UFC just hurry up and get the Jon Jones-Tom Aspinall fight done already?

“I’m confident.”

That’s where [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]’s sentiment currently sits on the making of a heavyweight championship unification fight vs. [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] after a recent meeting with the UFC brass.

Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC), who holds the UFC interim heavyweight title, met with Hunter Campbell, chief business officer of the UFC, this past weekend in London to discuss his standing in the promotion and the status of the highly anticipated bout against Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC).

Speaking to Ariel Helwani on Monday, Aspinall kept his cards close to the vest but did voice his optimism in finally getting a crack at Jones and his belt.

“We had a fantastic meeting. Everything went amazing,” Aspinall said regarding his meeting with the UFC. “I understand my position now. I understand what the company is doing now, and you have to stay tuned, my friend, because there’s some big news coming.”

Aspinall and Jones have been linked to fight for well over a year. Jones won the vacant UFC heavyweight title in 2023, and Aspinall won the interim belt later that year after Jones got injured, forcing the UFC to implement an interim title. In an uncommon series of events, both Aspinall and Jones defended their titles but did not fight each other.

Despite UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] 100 percent guaranteeing a title unification in 2025, the two have yet to officially be booked, leaving many fans restless for the bout.

Aspinall is eager to get his hands on Jones and said he’s ready for whenever the UFC needs him.

“As Dana White said, they still got to settle a few things,” Aspinall said. “I’m just waiting. I’m in shape, and I’m ready to go whenever. I’m ready to fight, man.”

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

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Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Sean Brady submits Leon Edwards, Jones-Aspinall update, UFC Mexico City preview, more

On Spinning Back Clique,” the panel discusses Sean Brady’s submission win over Leon Edwards, the Jones-Aspinall update, and more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

[autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag] made a big statement Saturday, going into enemy territory and submitting former UFC champion [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]. It was a big win for Brady, who’s now knocking on the door of a title shot. We break down Brady’s win at UFC Fight Night 255 and discuss what’s next for both fighters at 170 pounds.
Brady wasn’t the only fighter who shined in London. We discuss and analyze some of the key results outside the main event of UFC Fight Night 255, including [autotag]Carlos Ulberg[/autotag] defeating former champion [autotag]Jan Balchowicz[/autotag] and [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] getting back to his winning ways.
Big topics circled in last week’s news cycle. UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] commented on the highly anticipated matchup between [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] and where things stand in the making of the title unification bout. Additionally, [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] commented about two potential opponents for his next bout. We weigh-in on those two topics, plus more.
The UFC returns to Mexico City this week. A key flyweight bout between former champion Brandon Moreno and ex-title challenger Steve Erceg headlines UFC on ESPN 64. We dissect the main event and highlight other bouts from the card.
Lastly, we open things up for you to participate on the show. We’ll be doing a live fan Q&A in which we’ll answer your questions about any topic in the MMA world. Submit your question during the show on the YouTube live chat. The best submissions will get featured on the show.

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UFC CEO Dana White on Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall: ‘It’s done, but it’s not done’

UFC CEO Dana White has revealed that Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall is close to the finish line.

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] has revealed that [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] is close to the finish line.

White has spent the months since Jones (28-1 MMA, 22-1 UFC) defended his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November claiming that he would make good on booking a unification bout with interim champion Aspinall (15-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC).

There has been impatience displayed by Aspinall and the fans waiting for an answer on whether Jones would agree to the fight or vacate and retire, allowing Aspinall to become undisputed champion.

White, however, has been largely steadfast in his confidence it would get done, recently telling MMA Junkie that he’s focused on a summer timeline. Now he’s dropped another promising teaser, claiming that the only remaining object – albeit a massively significant one – is putting pen to paper.

“It’s going to happen,” White told TNT Sports on Friday. “It’s done, but it’s not done. Not done enough to sit right here now and announce it and give you a date. But fight’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of getting it signed now.

“If we pull this off and actually make the fight, announce it and start leading up to it, this will be the biggest heavyweight fight in UFC history.”

In December, White said he 100 percent guaranteed everyone would get what they want and Jones would face Aspinall in the highly anticipated contest. The primary question, though, was whether Jones in particular would get what he wants.

After stating he wanted “f*ck you money” to fight Aspinall after UFC 309, the rumored and unconfirmed price tag demands from Jones have be tabbed at as high as $30 million.

Whatever is ultimately negotiated remains to be seen, but White once against expressed stern adamance that the heavyweight title picture will get its resolution sooner than later.

“I said it when we first started talking about it and I’ve said it many times in between, and I’ll say it now,” White said. “The fight’s going to happen.”

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Debate: Can UFC’s Dana White change boxing with new Saudi Arabia-backed promotion?

Can Dana White change boxing with his new Saudi Arabia-backed promotion? We debate on “Spinning Back Clique.”

[autotag]Dana White[/autotag] is finally stepping into the boxing world.

After years of teasing a move into boxing promoting, the UFC CEO announced last week that TKO Group, the UFC’s parent company, will start a boxing promotion in partnership with [autotag]Turki Alalshikh[/autotag] and the Saudi Arabian government. White vows to bring the UFC model to boxing and fix what he deems to be “broken.” It was a big announcement that had many pondering on the future of the UFC and the sport of boxing.

Will White find success in the “Sweet Science”? Can he make a meaningful impact on the sport? Is TKO Group getting involved in too many sports?

MMA Junkie’s Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn, Danny Segura and host “Gorgeous” George react to White and Alalshikh’s big project and what it means for combat sports as a whole.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s complete episode of “Spinning Back Clique” below on YouTube.

https://youtube.com/live/8d_-xgG4Kfw

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Overreaction Time: UFC 313 Alex Pereira’s downfall?, Dana White holding back UFC?, more!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” covering Alex Pereira’s loss to Magomed Ankalaev, Dana White venturing into boxing, and more.

The time for overreacting is here!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie Radio host “Gorgeous” George Garcia debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

UFC 313: [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] has only himself to blame for losing to [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag].
UFC 313: Alex Pereira will bounce back and win one more UFC championship.
No more BS: [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] MUST fight [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag], or his legacy will take a hit.
UFC 313: [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] getting the next title shot would be absurd.
[autotag]Dana White[/autotag] diving into boxing sucks for boxing.
The UFC product will keep suffering with Dana White in charge.

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Ankalaev-Pereira UFC 313 recap, Dana White into boxing world, more

On the latest episode of “Spinning Back Clique,” we react to Alex Pereira’s UFC 313 title loss, Dana White entering boxing, more.

Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts.

This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura will join host “Gorgeous” George Garcia live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate the following topics:

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] is the new UFC light heavyweight champion. The Dagestani fighter dethroned superstar [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] in the main event of Saturday’s UFC 313 in Las Vegas. Was the result surprising? Who should be next for Pereira and Ankalaev? We break it all down.
Outside the Ankalaev vs. Pereira main event, plenty went down at UFC 313. [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag] rebounded from his UFC 300 KO loss by outpointing [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag]; [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag] had a breakout performance, submitting [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag]; and plenty more. We react to some of the key results on the card outside the headlining championship fight.
There’s been big news in the boxing world. Last week, TKO Group, along with [autotag]Turki Alalshikh[/autotag] and UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag], announced a partnership to launch a new boxing promotion. Can they change the boxing model? Will they find success? We break it all down.
To finish off the show, we’ll do a live Q&A segment in which we’ll discuss the latest in the MMA world. Submit your question in the YouTube live chat during the stream, and we’ll answer the best submissions.

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Dana White gives Justin Gaethje reason for hope after UFC 313

Justin Gaethje entered UFC 313 hoping he’d be considered for the next shot at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev if victorious, and it appears he just might be.

LAS VEGAS – Justin Gaethje entered UFC 313 hoping he’d be considered for the next shot at lightweight champion Islam Makhachev if victorious, and it appears he just might be.

In an unexpected rematch with Rafael Fiziev, Gaethje earned another tough win against the Kazakhstani as he gutted out a unanimous decision in the Fight of the Night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Gaethje (25-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) technically took a step down in opponent after Dan Hooker, No. 6 in the official UFC lightweight rankings, was replaced by No. 11 Fiziev after breaking his hand last week. Even so, Gaethje was steadfast in his belief that a victory could earn him a title shot.

After UFC 313, [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] didn’t rule out the possibility.

“I mean, what’s he ranked right now? Fourth or something, right? Third, there you go,” White said at the UFC 313 post-event news conference. “He’s still the No. 3-ranked guy in the world, so the odds of him getting a title shot are pretty good.”

If Gaethje is granted his wish, it would be his third undisputed title shot after previously falling short to Khabib Nurmagomedov in 2020 and Charles Oliveira in 2022. Since then, Gaethje has won three of four bouts, with his lone setback as the victim of the 2024 Knockout of the Year against Max Holloway.

Gaethje would be leapfrogging both Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan in the rankings if granted a title shot. There’s also the possibility of Ilia Topuria’s first fight at 155 pounds being against Makhachev.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 313.