Tag: Dana White

Video: ‘UFC 313: Pereira vs. Ankalaev’ pre-fight press conference replay

Alex Pereira, Magomed Ankalaev, Justin Gaethje, Rafael Fiziev and more will attend Thursday’s UFC 313 pre-fight press conference.

LAS VEGAS – The UFC 313 pre-fight press conference took place Thursday, and you can watch a replay of the event in the video above. The press conference took place at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.

Saturday’s UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+) is built around a light heavyweight championship fight between [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) and [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC).

Here’s what you need to know about the UFC 313 press conference.

What time did the UFC 313 press conference start?

The UFC 313 press conference started at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Who took part in the UFC 313 press conference?

Six fighters from three main-card bouts participated in the UFC 313 press conference: Pereira, Ankalaev, [autotag]Justin Gaethje[/autotag], [autotag]Rafael Fiziev[/autotag], [autotag]Jalin Turner[/autotag] and [autotag]Ignacio Bahamondes[/autotag].

UFC commentator [autotag]Jon Anik[/autotag] oversaw the UFC 313 pre-fight press conference.

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

Turki Alalshikh, TKO – including UFC’s Dana White – partner to establish new boxing promotion

UFC boss Dana White is diving into boxing, and this time it’s official.

(This story was updated with no information Wednesday, March 5 at 1:59 p.m. ET)

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] is diving into boxing. This time it’s official.

White and TKO have partnered with chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, [autotag]Turki Alalshikh[/autotag], to launch a new boxing promotion, Ring Magazine announced Wednesday. The executive leadership will be anchored by White and WWE president Nick Khan.

White has long criticized the boxing business model for not pitting the best fighters against each other. White said the new promotion aims to do that, with both rising talent and current stars.

“The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see. The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions,” White said in a video posted on X. “We will continue to make announcements on where you can watch and all the rest of the details of the business as we get closer to the launch. I’ll see you soon.”

According to a press release, the new promotion will feature “a highly structured system to develop new talent from around the world, including athlete combines and academies.” All boxers will have access to the UFC Performance Institutes in Las Vegas, Mexico City and Shanghai. TKO will handle production of events both in broadcasting and at arenas.

More details on the multiyear partnership are expected to be announced in the coming months, but Alalshikh hinted during an interview Wednesday with “The Pat McAfee Show” that the promotion’s first event could be held in September – possibly Sept. 12.

“When it’s time to announce, we have a massive fight – and this is literally exactly what I’m talking about – a massive fight that only this guy (Alalshikh) could make happen,” White said. “Only this guy could make a fight like this happen. We will announce it when we’re ready to. This is the guy who’s literally brought boxing back.”

Dana White says Alex Pereira could become No. 1 pound-for-pound after UFC 313

Dana White thinks Alex Pereira “might be the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world” with the right type of win over Magomed Ankalaev.

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] is giving [autotag]Alex Pereira[/autotag] the full promotional push ahead of Saturday’s UFC 313 title fight vs. Magomed Ankalaev.

With Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) set to attempt his fourth title defense in 11 months, the Brazilian has turned into one of the UFC’s most significant stars. Ankalaev (20-1-1 MMA, 11-1-1 UFC), however, is confident he will derail “Poatan” to capture gold when they meet in the headliner at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews/Disney+, ESPN+).

White has been one of many in awe of Pereira’s quick success and rise to stardom. Ankalaev, who is riding a 13-fight unbeaten streak, is arguably the most difficult matchup he’s faced, though, and White agrees the Russian is a daunting task for the champ.

“He’s one of the biggest stars in the sport right now, if not the biggest star in the sport,” White said Wednesday on ESPN’s First Take. “What makes this weekend so great is Ankalaev is a very serious threat to him. It’s probably the toughest fight he’s ever had. His team always talks about his takedown defense and that the fans don’t really know how good it is. We’re going to find out how good it is this weekend.”

If Pereira manages to emerge victorious, White said he would have to reevaluate his personal pound-for-pound list, which most recently had Islam Makhachev at No. 1 and Jon Jones No. 2.

“This is a tough fight for Alex,” White said. “Alex comes out of this the way he’s come out of every other fight? He might be the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world.”

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White shared nothing but positive perspective about his business relationship with Pereira and his in-cage accomplishments during his less than four-year tenure with the UFC.

At 37, there are legitimate questions about how long Pereira can keep this degree of greatness. That remains to be seen, but White said he is certainly maximizing his current window, which is something the UFC boss has endlessly emphasized throughout his history as a promoter.

“Alex is that guy for us right now,” White said. “The thing that people love about Alex is obviously his fighting style. He tries to knock your head off. People love that. This guy was on vacation in Australia, and a fight fell out and we needed him – he literally left vacation and came and fought. This guy will literally fight anybody, anywhere, any time.

“He comes in, and he’s pure violence, tries to knock you out. He doesn’t duck anybody. He has moved up a weight class and is willing to move up to heavyweight and fight whoever.”

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

Dana White glad former UFC champ Dominick Cruz retired after another injury

UFC CEO Dana White reacts to Dominick Cruz’s retirement and is “glad that he finally hung it up.”

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] fully supports [autotag]Dominick Cruz[/autotag]’s decision to retire from MMA.

Former UFC and WEC champion Cruz (24-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was scheduled to compete in his final fight on Feb. 22 against Rob Font, but sustained another serious shoulder injury that forced him to pull the plug on his career sooner than planned.

It’s a sadly poetic end for Cruz, who, despite his many accomplishments, had his potential career successes reduced by an endless string of layoff and health issues. Still, he is likely to find himself in the UFC Hall of Fame one day, and White thinks it was the right call to stop pushing.

“I’m blown away that he hung in there as long as he did,” White told reporters at Saturday’s UFC 312 post-event news conference. “Who’s been more injured than this guy in his career? It’s fascinating. And the mental drive to just want to keep coming back and trying again and again and again after so many surgeries and so many injuries, you’ve got to give it to him. But I’m glad that he finally hung it up.”

Set to turn 40 on March 9, retirement was the inevitable conclusion for Cruz. He didn’t get the send-off fight he wanted, but already has a post-career infrastructure in place with his position as a UFC commentator, analyst and coach at the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico.

“When you have the type of experience and type of career he’s had, and you can sit in the booth and talk fights, it’s awesome,” White said. “He’ll have a great career after his career.”

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Overreaction Time: Israel Adesnya’s downfall, Dana White vs. Jon Jones builds, UFC 312, more!

Check out the latest episode of “Overreaction Time” examining Israel Adesanya’s skid, Bryce Mitchell’s repulsive remarks, 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 reporter Nolan King debate these “overreactions” on the following topics in mixed martial arts:

  • After UFC Saudia Arabia, [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] is cooked as a middleweight title contender.
  • [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] condemning [autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag]’s pro-Hitler rant without action was NOT ENOUGH.
  • Newsflash: We’re not getting [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] this year.
  • [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag] actually is the most compelling option for [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag]’s next fight.
  • UFC 312: [autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag] is more likely than [autotag]Sean Strickland [/autotag]to be crowned “And New.”

Watch the full episode in the video above.

Spinning Back Clique REPLAY: Israel Adesanya stopped at UFC Saudi Arabia, Bryce Mitchell’s hideous comments, UFC 312 preview

On the latest Spinning Back Clique, the panel discusses Israel Adesanya’s latest defeat, Bryce Mitchell controversy and much 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, Dan Tom 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]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] suffered his third consecutive defeat courtesy of [autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag]. The former middleweight champion was stopped in the second round of the main event of UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia, putting him in a difficult career situation. We discuss both Adesanya and Imavov future in this sport following their big clash.
  • Outside of the main event, UFC Fight Night 250 saw many interesting results. [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] handed [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] his first professional defeat, while [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] returned to the win column with a decision win over [autotag]Jairzinho Rozentruik[/autotag]. We dissect these two fights among other highlights on the card.
  • Well, [autotag]Bryce Mitchell[/autotag] talked himself into arguably being the biggest headline last week, and all for the wrong reasons. The UFC featherweight made some gross comments on his own podcast praising Hitler, Holocaust denial, gay bashing and more. He later apologized in part and said he’s “not a Nazi.” This triggered a massive response in the MMA community and even from UFC president [autotag]Dana White[/autotag]. What’s going on with MMA’s culture? Should the UFC have cut ties with Mitchell? We react to the situation.
  • This Saturday, UFC 312 goes down with two big title fights. In the main event, [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] defends his middleweight belt against [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag], and [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] defends her strawweight title vs. [autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag]. We break down and preview these two championship fights, along with other bouts on the card.

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Dana White reacts to Shara Magomedov’s first career loss at UFC Saudi Arabia

UFC CEO Dana White shares his thoughts on Shara Magomedov’s loss to Michael Page at UFC Fight Night 250 in Saudi Arabia.

[autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] lost his undefeated record Saturday at UFC Fight Night 250.

The middleweight sensation came up short in a unanimous decision against [autotag]Michael Page[/autotag] in the co-main event of the Saudi Arabia card. Although many expected him to win, given he was the favorite and younger fighter, UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] said he thought Magomedov (15-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) had a tough fight ahead.

“You have to be aggressive with Page, but it’s a weird situation to be in because he’s a counter-striker and he sort of sits back and waits for you,” White said. “You’re dammed if you do, damned if you don’t.”

When asked if Magomedov lost his buzz by losing his undefeated record against Page (23-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC), White was supportive. He sees MVP as a tough fight for anyone in the sport and said he thinks Magomedov’s stock remains strong.

“I think styles make fights, and MVP is a very tough style to fight,” White said. “He lays back and counter punches. If you go in guns a’blazing, he’s a real good counter puncher. And if you have a hard time getting off, there’s a lot of standing around and staring at each other.

“(Page is) just a hard style to fight. I don’t think this diminishes (Magomedov) in any way, and I don’t think it had anything to do with him freezing. Let’s not forget: The guy has one eye. That doesn’t help.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 250.

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Dana White reacts to UFC champion Islam Makhachev contemplating middleweight move

Dana White isn’t sure about UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev jumping two weight classes.

[autotag]Dana White[/autotag] isn’t sure about UFC lightweight champion [autotag]Islam Makhachev[/autotag] jumping two weight classes.

Makhachev (27-1 MMA, 16-1 UFC) is eager to become a two-weight UFC champion, but standing in the way of his goal is his good friend and training partner, welterweight champion Belal Muhammad.

Makhachev and his team would rather not fight Muhammad, which is why he discussed the possibility of jumping to middleweight to challenge champion Dricus Du Plessis. UFC CEO White doesn’t appear keen about the potential idea.

“He would move up to middleweight? Yeah, I don’t know about that,” White said Thursday at the Power Slap 11 post-match news conference. “Listen, if he wants to move up to 170 (pounds), we can talk. But moving up to 185 is a whole other level.”

Makhachev is fresh off a UFC record fourth title defense when he submitted Renato Moicano at UFC 311 earlier this month. Makhachev was originally scheduled to face Arman Tsarukyan, but after Tsarukyan withdrew due to a back injury just one day before the fight, White said he has to climb his way back to a title opportunity.

When asked what’s next for Makhachev, White insisted it’s not Tsarukyan, but teased that something could be in the works.

“I know there’s a lot of conspiracy theories out there about this. You’ll just have to watch and see how this plays out,” White said.

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Dana White admits UFC could ‘move on’ from Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall

Whereas he guaranteed Jon Jones vs. Tom Aspinall would happen two months, Dana White might not be as confident now.

Less than two months ago, UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] made a rare on-the-record guarantee that [autotag]Jon Jones[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag] for the unified heavyweight championship would take place in 2025.

Nothing has been announced since then, and White indicated Friday that the fight is still far from finalized when speaking to Oscar Willis of The Mac Life.

White first showed enormous interest in booking Jones vs. Aspinall after “Bones” logged his first title defense against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309 in November. Jones dismissed facing the interim champion unless he got paid “f*ck you money” by the UFC while also teasing retirement, but White remained confident it would happen.

White stated on the night of UFC 309 that he would not put the division on hold forever, though, and eventually a time would come where he would explore other options. He didn’t set that timeline then, but when asked if the summer could be it, White reinforced that as realistic.

“One hundred percent,” White said. “If we don’t get the fight done, we move on, and we make another fight. But not last night, but the night before, I was up in my room with my people until like 6 in the morning. We’re working on lots of stuff right now. There’s lots of really good sh*t going on right now.”

Whether White and the UFC’s work results in Jones vs. Aspinall materializing remains to be seen. White has stated it has the potential to be the most significant fight in company history, but it appears an unprecedented price tag will have to be dished out to Jones.

Negotiations are seemingly ongoing about what that payout will look like.

“There’s no situation. It’s the biggest fight we can make,” White said. “I know the fans like to mess with Jon or whatever. Jon Jones isn’t afraid of anybody, and Jon Jones will fight anybody. It’s just a matter of getting the fight done now. That’s our job.”

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Dana White gives his opinion on GFL: ‘These guys are blowing real cash’

UFC CEO Dana White does not consider the Global Fight League competition.

UFC CEO [autotag]Dana White[/autotag] does not consider the Global Fight League competition.

The GFL has signed various notable UFC names, including the likes of Chris Weidman, Luke Rockhold, Tyron Woodley, Alexander Gustafsson and Urijah Faber.

The team-based promotion, which kicks off in April with a regular season, semifinals and finals events held throughout the year, held its draft this past Friday. White was asked what he thinks of the GFL and if he views the new promotion as a threat.

“I don’t think it’s blowing smoke – I think these guys are blowing real cash,” White said Thursday at the Power Slap 11 post-match news conference. “These guys are throwing a lot of money around, and I love it. Good for the fighters – it’s good for them.

“I don’t know anything about his business plan or what the deal is, but no, I don’t consider any combat sports my competition. My competition is the NFL, college football, soccer, big movies that come out on Saturday. I don’t look at other combat sports and look at them as competitors.”

The GFL has touted a 50-50 revenue split with fighters, as well as fighter retirement and insurance funds as a way to “prioritize fighters’ financial security and professional well-being, offering unprecedented profit-sharing opportunities to empower male and female athletes throughout their careers.”

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