Recently in Dana White Category

See Tito's UFC 106 vlog, "media day" after the jump.

Thanks to mmasportsreport.com:
The UFC 103 press conference was held today in Dallas, preceding this weekend's event headlined by Rich Franklin and Vitor Belfort. The conference was brief with Franklin, Belfort, and Junior Dos Santos saying a couple things about their fight.

Santos' opponent, Mirko Cro Cop, was not present though which President Dana White touched on.

"Cro cop holds the second-best record for wins in pride, and he also holds the best record for most press conferences missed," White said.

He also discussed boxing going head to head with UFC 103, and in an uncharacteristically relaxed demeanor said,

"I don't think us going against boxing is a good thing [for the fans]..." but regardless of the outcome this week on who sells more pay-per-views White said (speaking about the bad economy), "boxing is in trouble. The show we just did in Oklahoma had 75,000 people on a Wednesday night, and people came early at 3 p.m... You can combine WWE and boxing this year, and we beat them both."

Someone in the media asked him what he thought about Quentin Jackson doing the A-team movie and if the fight with Rashad would still take place at a later date.

"When the movie star's done doing his movie we'll find out when that fights happening... " he said criticizing Jackson. "He [Rich Franklin] did a movie when he wasn't fighting, like Randy Couture did."

"The crazy thing about Rampage is he's giving away a lot of money to do the A-Team. You can't fix stupid."

Speaking about Franklin fighting Belfort and how they both seem to be stuck in between fighting at middleweight and light heavyweight, White was asked on his thought about adding a weight class (possibly 195 pounds). He said he was not at all interested and did not want to make the same mistake as boxing did by having too many classes.

Belfort spoke about his fight and said that he likes Franklin and the fight "is going to be a classic"

News from Dana White's news conference today, as reported by several Web sites, including sherdog.com, mmajunkie.com and bloodyelbow.com:

No deal yet that would make Fedor vs. Lesnar a reality. The UFC agreed to allow Fedor to compete in combat sambo, but would not agree to co-promote with M-1 Global, Fedor's management company.

Headlining UFC 103 will now be Vitor Belfort vs. Rich Franklin, not Dan Hnderson vs. Franklin, as had previously been annoucned. Kinds funny, as Belfort didn't want to fight Gegard Mousasi at 205, but is willing to fight Franklin at that weight.

As I had reported earlier, Tito Ortiz is back in the UFC, and will most likely face Mark Coleman at a future event.

Receiving UFC contracts are Paul Buentello, Paul Daley, Ben Rothwell, Chase Gormley, Dan Lauzon and Rafaello Oliveira

Getting WEC contracts are Mark Hominick, L.C. Davis and Javier Vazquez

From Dana White's Twitter account about 2 hours ago:

"I am going on espn 1100 in vegas at 6pm. I will be talking anything mma. Call in number is 702 364 1100! Oh yea and welcome back tito :)"

from mmaweekly.com:
Could it be? On the same day that Tiger Woods missed the cut for only the second time in his professional golfing career, it appears that hell may just have frozen over.

Apparently, the longstanding feud between former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and UFC president Dana White is over.

Yes, over.

At least according to their Twitter exchange on Friday afternoon.

"Yeah, me and (Dana White) made up. I'm expecting to be inside the Octagon again soon," Ortiz posted on his Twitter account.

Minutes later, White confirmed Ortiz' comments, posting on his own Twitter account, "Yes, Tito and I made up."

DW talks to Wanderlei, Rampage, Rashad, Gray Maynard and Tyson Griffin about the upcoming Urijah Faber vs. Mike Brown featherweight title fight at this weekend's WEC 41.

Here's a bigger clip from the recent ESPN E:60 show, highlighting the war of words between dana White and Tito Ortiz.

Jon Anik & Co. preview Strikeforce's Shamrock vs. Diaz and talk about the fall-out from the Dana White-Loretta Hunt controversy.

White's apology and lowering his public profile, from f4wonline.com:
The fallout of Dana White's video blog yesterday has been huge and it appears will result in a scaling back of White as a public figure representing UFC.

White's apology to GLAAD largely regarding using a homophobic slur is already up at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=360SEiiO7Uo

In addition, as things stand at this point, White's public profile is going to be greatly reduced

*White will be doing no more video blogs

*White has pulled out of doing a reality show based on his life that was scheduled to start filming

*He is going to cut back greatly on dealing with the media and greatly reduce his public role in the company

I spoke with Greg Sirb, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Commission earlier today, starting off with the upcoming event - the state's first MMA event - happening in a little more than two weeks in York County.

Sirb said he is "Excited as hell," to attend the event. He added that Wisehaven's intimate setting - the venue only seats about 800 - will be "perfect." It's better to pack in a small house to start off, and then move to a bigger venue, he said.

Sirb said he'd definitely be at the April 19 event, or more specifically, "me and probably about four or five of my guys, inspectors. ... we approve all the matches. There's not a damn thing that goes down without us being involved."

As far as the buzz about the sport around the state, Sirb said it's "Even more crazy than it was before - everybody's calling."

He also announced two other events in the state state: April 30 at the Convention Center in Oaks, which is just outside Philadelphia, promoted by David Dussault, and May 16 at the Cambria County War Memorial Arena in Johnstown, promoted by T. Regala.

As for UFC 101, which UFC officials its president and fighters have said will happen on Aug. 8, Sirb said the event is still under discussion.

By Alex Marvez, msn.foxsports.com
Dana White has long chirped that the Ultimate Fighting Championship deserves mainstream media coverage.

Well, he's got it now -- but for every wrong reason imaginable.

So what is this whole rant about? Check out the story that sparked White's attack.
The UFC president did far more than verbally assault a female reporter Wednesday in a video blog entry. White slurred women, homosexuals and the mentally disabled in the obscenity-laced rant. The diatribe already was yanked from UFC's web site, but footage can still be found across the Internet. Next up: News outlets (this one included) that will salivate at the chance to show White at his worst.

Tune in tonight at 8 p.m. on Spike for the fights.

from Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press
Liddell (21-5) looks to revive his flagging career against Mauricio (Shogun) Rua in the co-main event of UFC 97 at Montreal's Bell Centre on April 18.

UFC president Dana White says the Iceman needs to put on a show north of the border.

"I've made it very clear to Chuck. Very clear," White told The Canadian Press. "It's not about money, it's not about this, that. Chuck is one of my good friends. Chuck (has) cemented his legacy in the UFC and in the fight game. I'm not even saying if he wins, unless he looks incredibly impressive (in Montreal) - I mean, he's going to have to go out there and dazzle me, for me to want Chuck to still fight."

Wow. Talk about some brutal honesty. I'm torn in this fight because I don't want to see Chuck hang up the gloves just yet, but I'd also like to see Shogun make a run for the title. I think I've said this before - but maybe Chuck needs to get another trainer. I know he's real good friends with John Hackleman, but maybe that's the problem. Sometimes peope who are too close can't be honest with each other (Dana White apparently doesn't have this problem). Chuck needs to get out of the Pit, take a trip around the country, train with some other teams. Diversify the portfolio in these times of economic strife.

from mmaweekly:
As the UFC expands their business worldwide, the sport's #1 promotion hasn't forgotten about new U.S. markets as well, and on Thursday, UFC president Dana White confirmed that they will head to Philadelphia before 2009 is over.

The state of Pennsylvania just officially ratified the rules and regulations of mixed martial arts on Feb 27 and it looks like the state will welcome the UFC this year as a way to celebrate the sport in the Keystone state.

"It's a big fight town, always has been," White said about Philadelphia on Thursday. "When you talk about Las Vegas, you talk about New York, Philadelphia is one of them too. The Blue Horizon, I saw some of the best boxing ever from the Blue Horizon in Philly. It's a big fight town."

The city has been host to many major sporting events over the years, including last year's World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies, and the UFC will be a great addition to the "City of Brotherly Love."

In addition to Philadelphia, the UFC could also eventually expand to Pittsburgh, which is in the process of building a new stadium for the Penguins hockey team that is slated to open in 2010-2011.

"I'm not saying no to Pittsburgh, but we're going to Philly this year," said White.

The UFC is also hopeful that they will hold an event in New York City by the end of this year, and White said he believes other markets like Buffalo could be home to events such as the popular "Fight Night" series on Spike.

Here's a post I found on the Sherdog forums by a guy named Carmichael Dave who has a new radio show called MMASH. Looks like he's getting some top-notch guests. Have a listen if you get a chance.

"Hey all....

We're in our third week now of the MMASH (MMA Show) on CBS Radio, and thanks for all the support along the way. Each week we are trying to get new cities and radio affiliates, and you guys have helped a TON.

This afternoon at 4pm PST, we will have both Dana White and Rampage Jackson from England. All in all, we'll get about 20 minutes with Dana and 10 with Quentin.

I already wrapped the Dana interview, and as usual when he comes on, he covered a lot of shit:

-Breaks down BJ/GSP, saying the greasing was "FUCKING ILLEGAL"
-Hadnt seen the quote, but would love to meet with Fedor in June

-Actually compliments Scott Coker and Strikeforce

-Also compliments internet message board users, and talks about his own usage

Seriously, I promise this stuff was said, as hard as it is to imagine.

In addition to Rampage and Dana, Sam Caplan from MMA & UFC News, Results, Opinion, and more will join us for our MMA Insider segment, calling from Seattle where he's covering the M-1 fights.

You can listen at 4pm Pacific at Northern California's Sports Station KHTK - Homepage (just click listen live).

The show will be available for podcast Monday. If you missed any of the previous shows, you can check them out at Northern California's Sports Station KHTK - Mmash-The Mixed Martial Arts Show

Next week Frank Shamrock and Scott Smith...."

mma fanhouse has the interview with the UFC president:
"In no way shape or form do I think Georges St. Pierre went out to cheat. I think his cornerman f**ked up. That's what I think. Do I think it had a huge impact on the fight? No, I don't. But it's illegal. You cannot do it. And I think the cornerman's in trouble. That's what I think."

Behind-the-scenes photo shoot with St-Pierre and Penn

Dana White's UFC 94 vlog, part 3.

1/13/09

1/12/09

1/11/09

Rampage

Evans

from fannation.com
UFC president Dana White on a radio show appearance Monday expressed his interest in seeing Rashad Evans make his first light heavyweight title defense against former champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson. "I'd love to see Rashad and Rampage," White said on The Carmichael Dave Show on Sports 1140 KHTK. "I think that's a fun fight." A concern with Jackson in a title situation is that the fighter is currently facing two felony (driving recklessly, evading police) and three misdemeanor charges (hit and run) that could place him in jail for up to three years. However, White is confident that Jackson's legal problems will not be an issue and will not play a part in the UFC's matchmaking process.

Ted's Take: Will Rampage get the shot next? If he can clear up his legal troubles, probably. He's a bigger draw than Lyoto Machida or Thiago Silva, who will fight at UFC 94 on Jan. 31. The winner of that fight - both are undefeated at 13-0 - should really be the next contender for the LHW title, but Jackson, being a former champ, and given his recent destruction of Wanderlei Silva, will most likely get it. I don't see Jackson getting the better of Rashad in their match-up, but I do see Rashad losing the title to Machida in late 2009, if my crystal ball is working - ha-yow!

This was for ESPN The Magazine. Besides the head honcho, there's Forrest Griffin, Stephan Bonnar, Randy Couture, and I think I caught a glimpse of Wanderlei Silva. And let's not forget the vivacious Arianny Celeste.

Jon Anik and Co. go over UFC 91, including Brock vs. Randy and Ken-Flo vs. Joe Daddy.

One of the greatest middleweights out there today, Matt Lindland, some argue, was winning against Fedor before The Last Emperor grabbed the ropes and reversed being taken down in Bodog, and should have gotten the decision over Rampage Jackson in their WFA fight.

Not saying he would win, but he would definitely give Anderson Silva a tough challenge.

But we never get to see that. This trailer is about Lindland's life in and out of the cage, and how he was booted from the UFC for wearing a T-shirt. Needless to say, it doesn't make Dana White look too good.

My only question is: do you think Dana will take him back now? Or how about, what would Lindland say if Dana wanted to hire him back? Go pound sand? Maybe we'll find out in this movie.

Thanks to the vivacious Tracy Lee for the photos. See more at combat lifestyle.

Dana and Arianny

Dustin Hazelett vs. Tamdan McCrory

Randy vs. Brock

Arianny gets ready for her b-day party

This is another vlog dated 11/12 ... anyway, after watching a number of these, I've come to one conclusion - it's great being Dana White. Love 'im or hate 'im, the man's living the life.

The beautiful Tracy Lee of Combat Lifestyle posted these photos on her site:

CNBC just did this big thing on MMA called "Ultimate Fighting: From Blood Sport to Big Time." Although I haven't seen all the videos, it looks like a pretty admirable job. Not to quibble, but they probably should have used Mixed Martial Arts instead of Ultimate Fighting (as I've complianed hbaout numerous times on this site), but, on second thought, it seems all they talk about is the UFC, so maybe I'll let them slide. ... Anyway, it just goes to show, money talks. The sport is now a big money-maker, so it finally is garnering some respect.

Go to the main site here.

They've even got a slideshow, featuring Dana White with hair. See it here.

Dana White

Kimbo (L.) - back to Youtube brawls or TUF maybe?

from mmajunkie.com:
Despite UFC President Dana White's consistent publicly voiced disdain for EliteXC's use of Kevin "Kimbo Slice" Ferguson as a marketable MMA commodity, White did recently offer Slice an opportunity to join the world's leading MMA promotion.

With Slice out of a job after the recent collapse of EliteXC and parent company ProElite, White was asked about the possibility of bringing the former streetfighter into the UFC at the post-UFC 90 press conference.

"[Slice] can be on 'The Ultimate Fighter,'" White said.

Vadim and Fedor

Vadim Finkelstein, Fedor's manager, on Dana White, and how things have been going in the never-ending saga to get Randy Couture and Fedor to fight:
"I truly believe Dana White did more for MMA than anybody else, but at the moment he is the one who hinders the sport's progress," Finkelstein stated. "He seems like a man with a big tasty pie who's afraid that someone comes and bites a piece of it."
-- from a Boston Herald story.

All right, so by now you've probably heard that Rashad Evans knocked out Chuck Liddell. Cold. With one punch. As much as I don't care for Evans' showboating, you have to respect his abilities.

The first question is where does this leave The Iceman? Fighters can come back from devastating knockout losses. Wanderlei Silva did it - he had back-to-back knockout losses, courtesy of Cro Cop and Hendo. Before the fight with Rashad, Chuck talked about making another run at the title, implying that it would be a great way to end his career, but he also talked about fighting for years to come - a little Randy Couture, anyone?

Maybe it's time to get a new trainer. I know Chuck considers John Hackleman family, but something might need to be fixed. Jerod Phillips, who owns Tap or Sleep fightwear, hit the proverbial nail on the head: They finally started figuring Chuck out. He throws looping punches, and he keeps his hands down low. Couture, in their first meeting, got inside and dirty boxed him, evading the looping, yet dangerous bombs that Chuck can unleash.

from mmaweekly.com:
When Brock Lesnar signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, the former collegiate wrestling champion and former professional wrestling superstar said he wanted to fight the top heavyweights. He was serious.

At UFC 91 on Nov. 15 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Lesnar will face Randy "The Natural" Couture for the UFC heavyweight belt in only his fourth mixed martial arts bout and third time in the Octagon.

"I've wanted a fight with Randy since before I signed a contract with the UFC," Lesnar told the media on Tuesday.

Despite his inexperience and Couture's year-long layoff from competition, expectations are high that the match-up will generate record numbers. "We actually do research on these things if you can believe it or not," said UFC president Dana White.

Dana talks with comedian David Spade and the woman who Joe Rogan called a "UFC groupie," Mandy Moore.

Dana introduces the fans to the newly re-signed Randy Couture and holds a conference call with Randy and Brock Lesnar.

Las Vegas, NV (USA) - On November 15th, the champ is back.

Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White today announced that after a year away from the game, UFC® heavyweight champion Randy "The Natural" Couture will make his long-awaited return to the Octagon to defend his title against rising star Brock Lesnar in a clash of titans destined to shake the foundations of the sport. This championship bout, the biggest heavyweight title fight in years, will headline UFC 91: COUTURE vs. LESNAR, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008.

"I am happy to announce that UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture will be returning to action in the Octagon," said Dana White, UFC President. "He's a legend in the UFC, and one of the fighters that helped build this sport. I have always said that wrestling is one of the best bases you can have in MMA and not only is Randy a top level wrestler but his opponent is as well. Brock Lesnar showed the MMA world that he is for real in his last fight, dismantling the far more experienced Heath Herring. His combination of speed and power was absolutely devastating. It is a fascinating matchup: the crafty, multiple-time heavyweight champion versus the younger, bigger, and stronger challenger. This is one that will go down in the history books."

Couture

Lesnar

Multiple sites on the Internet are reporting that Randy Couture has worked out his legal problems with the UFC and signed a new deal with the organization. His first fight will be at UFC 91 on Nov. 15 in Portland, Ore. against Brock Lesnar.

Randy Couture caves in Tim Sylvia's face with his fist en route to winning the UFC heavyweight championship.

by Michael Rome from bloodyelbow.com:
I've spoken with a lot of people about Randy Couture in the last day. Things are definitely happening.

First, I can say with 100% certainty that there are current negotiations for Randy Couture to return in November to main event, and that the current proposed opponent is Brock Lesnar. They can't get Fedor, too many issues to work out on short notice, and he has a US-only non compete with Affliction.

This will be a new contract, not a return to the old one. It will likely pay him more and give him more benefits, but it will lock him into the UFC for the long term. In exchange for signing it Zuffa would drop all breach of contract charges.

Tito and baby-momma Jenna.

from sherdog.com:
A chipper Tito Ortiz said he's still very much a free agent on Friday's episode of "Inside MMA" on HDNet.

Ortiz -- who also announced that he and longtime girlfriend Jenna Jameson are expecting their first child together -- recently satisfied a multi-fight contract with the UFC, where he has been one of the promotion's top-three draws for the last 11 years.

The popular former UFC light heavyweight champion ran down a list of promotional candidates who could snag his services in the coming months.

"EliteXC -- possibility. Affliction -- possibility. UFC -- a small chance of that happening," said Ortiz. "The things between me and Dana White, I'm shoving it off and moving on with my life.

A public feud between UFC president Dana White and the polarizing Ortiz has been well documented, to the point where Ortiz commented that he would not re-sign with the UFC on multiple occasions.

However, the Octagon still remains a viable option for the 33-year-old fighter, whose December 2007 rematch against former light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell remains the highest grossing pay-per-view in the sport's history, netting a reported one million and eighty thousand buys.

"I've been doing this for 11 years now, and I still have five or six years ahead of me to compete," said Ortiz. "I want to make sure it's going to be a company that backs me, supports me, and uses me [in] the best [way] that I've been working this far to get."

Ortiz (15-6-1) dropped a unanimous decision to Lyoto Machida (13-0) at UFC 84 "Ill Will" on May 24 in Las Vegas for his second loss in three fights.

Best of friends, worst of enemies: Tito and Dana.

From 411mania, by way of The Wrestling Observer:
Dana White is interviewed in the new issue of Playboy that hits stands tomorrow. Highlights are below.

On UFC's place among the major American sports: "What are the major sports in America right now? The NFL and Major League Baseball, with the NBA third. The NHL was fourth, but now we're fourth, and we're still in our infancy. Our ratings on Spike TV beat most of the major sports in our 18-to-34 demo. Last year we beat four Monday Night Football games in the demo. In eight years, the UFC will be bigger than the NFL, bigger than World Cup soccer. It will be the biggest sport in the world."

On Mark Cuban & Donald Trump getting involved with MMA: "Mark Cuban's a smart guy. He's passionate about basketball, but I don't think he gives a sh*t about mixed martial arts. He sees some quick money in it. Trump's different. I have a ton of respect for him. When the Fertittas bought the UFC, most venues wouldn't deal with us. We were outlaws. Out first event was at the Trump Taj Mahal, and Trump actually came to the fights. You'll never hear me say a bad word about Donald Trump. He can have my seats anytime."

On MMA violence: "People think our sport's more violent than boxing. Wrong! They're weirded out because it goes to the ground. We grew up with John Wayne movies--you don't hit a man when he's down. It's un American! John Wayne would deck a guy, stand him back up and hit him again. So when Americans first watch UFC--one guy's on top of the other, hitting him when he's down--they say, 'Oh God, he can't defend himself!' It's not like that in Asia, where they've been doing martial arts since the samurai days."

On Tito Ortiz: "That big-mouthed bit*h, that clown. Back when he had the title, he refused to fight Chuck Liddell. He sat on the sidelines for a year and a half, crying, 'Aww, I don't have any money!' So I brought him back and made him a coach on The Ultimate Fighter. That year he made more than $6 million, yet he bit*hes about me. Well, I put up with Tito's sh*t when he was a decent fighter, but now he's not and I don't have to... Did you see what a wall flower he was on [The Celebrity Apprentice]? The guy has no presence. He was the idiot hiding in the back. If he actually did something, people would know how stupid he is."

-- So Florian beat Huerta. The UFC had said a while back that this fight would be to determine the number one contender to BJ Penn's lightweight belt, but then reportedly backed off from that days before the bout. One could make the connection the souring on the signifcance of the fight was due to Huerta's disparraging comments in FIGHT! magazine, where he doubted their loyalty and said they paid him $50 a day for a promotional tour. So, the question is, now that Florian won, will he get a title shot, or is Dana White's next move going to be to let BJ Penn jump up a weight class to take on welterweight champ Georges St-Pierre?

-- Cheick Kongo (who some call "Cup Check" because of the four or so knees he fired at CroCop's nuggets in their fight) beat Viking Dan Evenson (who was waaay into his entrance music, by the way) ... so where does Kongo go from here? I'm still not too impressed with this guy - Herring gave him problems .. let's see how he does against tougher competition on the ground, like maybe Shane Carwin or Brock Lesnar, or even Frank Mir.

Tracy Lee's combatlifestyle has all the pics from the UFC Seek and Destroy press conference. Here's some of the best:

Dana White stands behind Rampage ... er, in front of Rampage.

Battle of the Titans: Brock Lesnar vs. Heath Herring

The dapper St-Pierre vs. regular guy Fitch

Roger Huerta: "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!"

Ken-Flo; Man, I sure hope I don't have to review my own loss on the next episode of MMA Live!

This was uploaded on Youtube on Wednesday.