Tag: DWCS 53

‘We were drinking’: Dana White, Nate Diaz recount alleged 2014 nightclub altercation

Things nearly turned physical between Dana White and Nate Diaz in a nightclub years ago – allegedly – as the two described before UFC 279.

LAS VEGAS – Dana White and [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag] haven’t always seen eye-to-eye. That’s been well-documented in the public eye. However, the two UFC staples spoke publicly Tuesday for the first time about a different kind of altercation.

Hours prior to Dana White’s Contender Series 53 in Las Vegas, Diaz revealed in a UFC 279 fight week interview with ESPN the two nearly came to blows at a nightclub in the ballpark of nine years ago when his Scrap Pack teammate Gilbert Melendez was coaching “The Ultimate Fighter, Season 20” opposite then-lightweight champ Anthony Pettis.

“I almost beat Dana White up in a club here one time, too. You should’ve seen it. He was like, talking sh*t. Did he tell you about it? You should ask him. He was talking sh*t and then I was arguing with him. I was mad at him. I shouldn’t have been mad at him. I understood the business a long time ago. When was Gilbert (Melendez on) ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ with (Anthony Pettis)? I think when all the girls got off the show and Rose (Namajunas) won the thing, everybody had got out the show and then we went to the club with Dana. They were having a big afterparty.

“Dana was all (expletive). He was like, ‘What’s up (expletive)?’ I was like, ‘F*ck the UFC. I’m getting out of here.’ He was like, ‘What’s up?’ And I was like, ‘What’s up?’ And he was telling me about, ‘What do you want?’ I was like, ‘What the f*ck do you think I want? More money and better f*cking fights than anyone here, you (expletive).'”

Hours after Diaz chuckled about altercations of yesteryears, White was asked the exact question Diaz suggested – to speak on the altercation of years past. White was visibly caught off guard when asked his side of the story, perhaps a skeleton in the closet he wasn’t expecting.

“Allegedly,” White said, laughing at a DWCS 53 post-fight news conference. “Allegedly. We were drinking. … Does anybody else have any other questions?”

The comments on the altercation continue the ongoing, turbulent relationship between Diaz and White, as the former is set to Saturday finish out his UFC deal. Diaz expressed feelings of disrespect and being used, hours before White sounded nostalgic Tuesday as he talked about Diaz’s potential free agency.

Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) headlines UFC 279 against Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC). The card takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and streams on pay-per-view after prelims on ESPN/ESPN+.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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Will UFC 279 be Nate Diaz’s final fight with the promotion? Dana White weighs in on upcoming free agency

With UFC 279 days away, Dana White discusses if he thinks Nate Diaz will be done with the promotion for good.

LAS VEGAS – Perhaps the most prominent storyline entering UFC 279 is the contract status of [autotag]Nate Diaz[/autotag], one of mixed martial arts’ biggest stars.

UFC president Dana White isn’t panicked, however, at least he didn’t show it when asked about Diaz’s impending free agency at a DWCS 53 post-fight news conference Tuesday.

“Nate and I talked and I said, ‘Listen,'” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “This kid came in on ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’ He’s fought incredible wars for us. He’s been a big part of this company for a very long time. What more could I ask of Nate Diaz? If Nate is ready to make this his last fight, I wish him all the best in the world. It’s been fun. It’s really been fun dealing with those two.

White’s comments may seem sarcastic at face value, but he further clarified he legitimately enjoyed having the Diaz Brothers on board with his promotion – even if there were some bumps along the way.

“At the times, at certain times, it was whatever, but looking back, the Diaz Brothers have been an absolute blast. They’re legends in this sport. They’re legends in this company. These days come with all the guys. If that’s what Nate wants, then, yeah, we wish him the best.”

White’s comments come hours after Diaz (20-13 MMA, 15-11 UFC) expressed mixed feelings about his situation during UFC 279 fight week. While he said he has love for the UFC and White, Diaz expressed how he felt more disrespected than respected at this point in time –  especially pertaining to the negotiations for his upcoming fight.

“This fight’s not even about this guy,” Diaz said. “It’s about making this guy. It’s about making this motherf*cker. And I’m like, ‘OK, well, you guys aren’t gonna let me go, because I’m the best fighter here. And you’re not gonna let me go unless it’s off of somebody. I gotta make somebody for you?’ Well, all right. You’re welcome. Let’s make him. You’re welcome, UFC.”

Regardless, the show rolls on for the UFC. White said the upcoming event headlined by Diaz vs. Khamzat Chimaev (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) is trending well. The card also features Tony Ferguson vs. Li Jingliang and Kevin Holland vs. Daniel Rodriguez.

“I’m excited for it,” White said. “I’m sure you guys feel it like I feel it on social media. This stuff is cracking. They’re pulling big numbers right now. I’m expecting good things this weekend.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 279.

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Video: UFC hopeful Vitor Petrino clobbers Rodolfo Bellato to end DWCS slugfest with a bang

A heavy-handed slugfest ended in a highlight-reel flattening.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Vitor Petrino[/autotag] ended Dana White’s Contender Series 53 with a bang – a few of them, actually.

In the DWCS 53 featured bout, Petrino (7-0) concluded a slugfest against fellow Brazilian [autotag]Rodolfo Bellato[/autotag] (8-2) with two hard punches. The knockout stoppage came at 3:36 of Round 2.

The first round-and-a-half was a back-and-forth brawl with a little bit of everything. Each fighter was stunned with punches and Petrino escaped a dangerous triangle attempt from Bellator.

Two punches stamped a win for Petrino. The first was a well-timed left hook that put Bellato down. The second was a diving punch that solidified the finish.

Check out video of the finish below (via Twitter):

The meeting was the second between the two fighters. Petrino made his pro MMA debut against Bellato, who at the time was 5-0. Like Tuesday, Petrino finished Bellator with strikes – only that knockout came 25 seconds into Round 1.

The full DWCS 53 results include:

  • Vitor Petrino def. Rodolfo Bellato via knockout (punch) – Round 2, 3:36
  • Gabriel Bonfim def. Trey Waters via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 1, 4:13
  • Karl Williams def. Jimmy Lawson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Ismael Bonfim def. Nariman Abbasov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Tereza Bleda def. Nayara Maia via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

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DWCS 53 video: Gabriel Bonfim turns the tables on submission attempt, Von Flue chokes Trey Waters

Brazilian prospect Gabriel Bonfim made history on Dana White’s Contender Series.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Gabriel Bonfim[/autotag] kept his unbeaten record intact Tuesday when he became the first fighter to win by Von Flue choke submission in Dana White’s Contender Series history.

At DWCS 53, Bonfim (13-0) submitted [autotag]Trey Waters[/autotag] (6-1) at 4:13 of Round 1. He was the second of his surname to compete on the card, as his brother Ismael Bonfim (8-3) defeated Nariman Abbasov (28-4) earlier at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

The finish came after an attempt at a guillotine by the back-on-the-canvas Waters. As Bonfim took him to the canvas, Waters squeezed Bonfim’s neck. Bonfim shifted into side control. Waters returned him to half guard and committed to the squeeze. Bonfim flipped the script and leaned into Water’s neck. The tap came shortly thereafter.

Check out video of the finish below (via Twitter):

The up-to-the-minute DWCS 53 results include:

  • Gabriel Bonfim def. Trey Waters via submission (Von Flue choke) – Round 1, 4:13
  • Karl Williams def. Jimmy Lawson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Ismael Bonfim def. Nariman Abbasov via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Tereza Bleda def. Nayara Maia via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

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