UFC President Dana White Talks Fedor Emelianenko and Being Unhappy With Recent Developments |
| Posted By |
Message |
FastKnockout
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 547-328
Season: 38-21 (#697)
Location: Mississippi
|
There seem to be two kinds of Dana White interviews these days, the by the numbers stuff about world dominance and the open and honest (or as honest as a promoter can be) interview. Sports Illustrated has the chance to sit down with Dana and they got one of those fantastic open interviews. There is plenty of great stuff in the interview including Dana making a vague statement that he is unhappy with some things going on behind the scenes:
SI.com: What are you looking at?
White: First of all, there're things going on that I'm unhappy with, here at the company, that we're going to fix and change over the next few months, and you're going to see us get back on track here in the next few months. As you start to get bigger and you start to expand into all these different places, and you're working on all these crazy deals, things start to get out of control. I'm going to get some more control around here in the next three months. And that includes my business as a whole, my actual office and employees and departments, right down to s--- that's going on with the fighters.
LINK
|
|
Post #1 7/28/11 1:12:04PM
|
|
|
Let's go bowling, Dude.
Career record: 974-511
Season: 46-13 (#9)
Location: Fort Wayne, IN
|
Ruh roh. Sounds like someone took a leak in the coffee pot at Zuffa Headquarters this morning.
_______________________________________
TWITTER: @THE_FLEEK and @MMAPlayground
"I'm like the superhero coming in with the anti-bullsh*t." - Nick Diaz
|
|
Post #2 7/28/11 1:24:38PM
|
Advertisement |
|
Slight Reach Advantage
Career record: 453-238
Season: 44-15 (#33)
Location: Ronda Rousey's Guard
|
SI.com
here's a direct link to the SI page for the entire interview.
I love dana interviews
_______________________________________
MMA Events Attended:
FFI Ultimate Chaos Lashley vs Sapp - Biloxi
FN22 Marquardt vs Palhares - Austin
FN25 Shields vs Ellenberger - New Orleans
Bellator 73- Tunica
Never Trust A Man Who Does Not Make All Of His Picks
|
|
Post #3 7/28/11 1:33:59PM
|
DeadHead988
MMA Sensei
Career record: 231-189
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Waukesha, WI
|
I'm not usually a fan of Dana, but I thought that was a really good interview. Interesting info and fun to read. If I were to take a guess, I believe he is planning to eliminate Scott Coker from his active role and that's what he means by "take more control". I wouldn't blame him because I've always kind of viewed Coker as an inept manager and not really suited for this type of business. Just my two cents.
Side note: have we named this guy yet?
Last edited 7/28/11 1:41PM by DeadHead988
Edit note/reason: n/a
|
|
Post #4 7/28/11 1:40:35PM
|
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Career record: 844-512
Season: 44-15 (#87)
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
|
Never a dull moment with el' presidente
_______________________________________
Rabi 4/25/13
#2 UFC 112 Points
#9 FFC3/AFC/NEFFN/VCS/Pancrase Combo Wagers
#12 TUF 8 FINALE Points
#12 Bellator 91 / Legacy FC / CCCW Combo Points
#12 M-1/FA8/CFA/GC/IGF Wagers
#14 UFC 143 Diaz vs Condit Points
#21 Bellator 53/MFC 31Points
#23 Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey Points
#23 Bellator/OneFC/Invicta/MFW/ROC/HFC Combo Points
" Dream As If You'll Live Forever, Live As If You'll Die Today"- James Dean
|
|
Post #5 7/28/11 1:48:56PM
|
Slight Reach Advantage
Career record: 453-238
Season: 44-15 (#33)
Location: Ronda Rousey's Guard
|
Posted by DeadHead988
Side note: have we named this guy yet?
Manny Bananny
_______________________________________
MMA Events Attended:
FFI Ultimate Chaos Lashley vs Sapp - Biloxi
FN22 Marquardt vs Palhares - Austin
FN25 Shields vs Ellenberger - New Orleans
Bellator 73- Tunica
Never Trust A Man Who Does Not Make All Of His Picks
|
|
Post #6 7/28/11 1:53:17PM
|
Skatanicus
Learning to Sprawl
Career record: 1011-517
Season: 41-17 (#60)
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
|
Dana White: "And I've been getting some phone calls, and some of these guys that are involved in Strikeforce would like me to be more involved in Strikeforce."
I myself have rarely wanted more Dana White involvement; I think Dana is, in general, bad for the sport of MMA. However, I also think that he should be very much involved with Strikeforce now that they are rightfully expected to be a crucial part of the soon-coming expansion of the UFC. If he expresses interest he can bring fighters in.
When the UFC acquired Strikeforce, it was clear to me that this could either be a big expansion, or a dissolution of a competitor. I honestly don't think that Dana White knows the difference.
We need the big guys from Strikeforce in the UFC. Many of the guys on TUF are less deserving of a shot in the UFC, whether or not these guys from SF are exceedingly likely to gain UFC belts. Alistair Overeem for one I believe should be challenging in the UFC, and guys like Josh Barnett are ruled out exclusively as a result of petty personal squabbles.
I think that ultimately the acquisition of Strikeforce will be similar to that of Pride, where only some of the fighters ended up in the UFC. I feel so far that the transition from Strikeforce to UFC will actually be less effective though, which is a real shame considering how insignificant the payoff was for buying out Pride, considering what it could have represented.
More criticism from Dana White frequently means more burned bridges and it's just bad news for fans.
|
|
Post #7 7/28/11 1:56:11PM
|
The Anti-pansy
Career record: 1054-579
Season: 45-14 (#92)
Location: PA
|
SI.com: The criticism is, why is fighting in an exciting fashion part of the job? Isn't the job to win the fight?
White: Sure. But you've got to be exciting! If all we cared about was guys winning fights, you know how many wrestlers could just go lay on a guy? There are tons of wrestlers that could do that. I don't know. Do you think we'd be talking about all these big plans and all the exciting things that we're going to be doing if that was the case? I mean, that's a pretty stupid question.
SI.com: It's a question that gets asked, though, which is why I'm asking.
White: Yeah, but it's stupid. If somebody really asks that question, you'd have to look at them and go, "Are you stupid?" Seriously, it's a really dumb question.
SI.com: How so? Spell it out for me.
White: Why do guys have to put on exciting fights? Well, let's see. We're in the television and pay-per-view business. I don't know. I don't know too many people that tune in to watch unexciting fights.
...Classic Dana right there. Rather than get into a discussion about a purist mentality or some such thing, cut right to the chase. People won't watch if it's boring. The sport will die if it's boring and people don't watch.
_______________________________________
"Being born with a pair of beady eyes was the best thing that ever happened to me." - Lee Van Cleef
“If we wish to preserve a free society, it is essential that we recognize that the desirability of a particular object is not sufficient justification for the use of coercion” - F.A. Hayek
|
|
Post #8 7/28/11 3:18:35PM
|
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Career record: 844-512
Season: 44-15 (#87)
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
|
Posted by Skatanicus
Dana White: "And I've been getting some phone calls, and some of these guys that are involved in Strikeforce would like me to be more involved in Strikeforce."
I myself have rarely wanted more Dana White involvement; I think Dana is, in general, bad for the sport of MMA. However, I also think that he should be very much involved with Strikeforce now that they are rightfully expected to be a crucial part of the soon-coming expansion of the UFC. If he expresses interest he can bring fighters in.
When the UFC acquired Strikeforce, it was clear to me that this could either be a big expansion, or a dissolution of a competitor. I honestly don't think that Dana White knows the difference.
We need the big guys from Strikeforce in the UFC. Many of the guys on TUF are less deserving of a shot in the UFC, whether or not these guys from SF are exceedingly likely to gain UFC belts. Alistair Overeem for one I believe should be challenging in the UFC, and guys like Josh Barnett are ruled out exclusively as a result of petty personal squabbles.
I think that ultimately the acquisition of Strikeforce will be similar to that of Pride, where only some of the fighters ended up in the UFC. I feel so far that the transition from Strikeforce to UFC will actually be less effective though, which is a real shame considering how insignificant the payoff was for buying out Pride, considering what it could have represented.
More criticism from Dana White frequently means more burned bridges and it's just bad news for fans.
Dana whites bad for the sport? Really? If Dana and the fertittas didn't rescue the ufc, we wouldnt be arguing this right now. He's bad for the sport, why cuz he doesn't play nice. And for burning bridges, he burned the Strikeforce bridge do bad that the ufc now OWNS them. He may not be the most popular person in your eyes but the fact is he is part of the reason its where it is. Yes, I feel we need some of the bigger names from Strikeforce in the ufc, but we will have to wait and see what becomes of Strikeforce. Barnett tested positive for roids in the ufc and that's why he lost the belt, so its not a personal vendetta by zuffa. Plus he STILL can't seem to piss clean on a regular basis
Last edited 7/28/11 4:17PM by prophecy033
Edit note/reason: n/a
2 total post edits
_______________________________________
Rabi 4/25/13
#2 UFC 112 Points
#9 FFC3/AFC/NEFFN/VCS/Pancrase Combo Wagers
#12 TUF 8 FINALE Points
#12 Bellator 91 / Legacy FC / CCCW Combo Points
#12 M-1/FA8/CFA/GC/IGF Wagers
#14 UFC 143 Diaz vs Condit Points
#21 Bellator 53/MFC 31Points
#23 Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey Points
#23 Bellator/OneFC/Invicta/MFW/ROC/HFC Combo Points
" Dream As If You'll Live Forever, Live As If You'll Die Today"- James Dean
|
|
Post #9 7/28/11 3:32:12PM
|
Jride
Standup Guy
Career record: 578-402
Season: 0-0 (#-)
Location: Stockton, CA
|
I wish Dana White the absolute worst in life, he is absolute garbage and SCUM.
"If Fedor gets knocked out, he got knocked out by a middleweight, if Fedor wins, he beat a middleweight ,it's a lose-lose"
If you believe that Dana then you should discredit your star HW, 280 pound Brock Lesnar for beating a LHW Couture.
Absolutely pathetic.
|
|
Post #10 7/28/11 4:29:04PM
|
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Career record: 844-512
Season: 44-15 (#87)
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
|
Posted by Jride
I wish Dana White the absolute worst in life, he is absolute garbage and SCUM.
"If Fedor gets knocked out, he got knocked out by a middleweight, if Fedor wins, he beat a middleweight ,it's a lose-lose"
If you believe that Dana then you should discredit your star HW, 280 pound Brock Lesnar for beating a LHW Couture.
Absolutely pathetic.
if Dana's "SCUM", what the hell are all of us?
_______________________________________
Rabi 4/25/13
#2 UFC 112 Points
#9 FFC3/AFC/NEFFN/VCS/Pancrase Combo Wagers
#12 TUF 8 FINALE Points
#12 Bellator 91 / Legacy FC / CCCW Combo Points
#12 M-1/FA8/CFA/GC/IGF Wagers
#14 UFC 143 Diaz vs Condit Points
#21 Bellator 53/MFC 31Points
#23 Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey Points
#23 Bellator/OneFC/Invicta/MFW/ROC/HFC Combo Points
" Dream As If You'll Live Forever, Live As If You'll Die Today"- James Dean
|
|
Post #11 7/28/11 4:42:25PM
|
ThaAxeMurderer7
MMA Sensei
Career record: 784-517
Season: 31-28 (#1360)
Location: Chael Sonnen is a SNITCH and a GOOD BOY!
|
Posted by prophecy033
Posted by Jride
I wish Dana White the absolute worst in life, he is absolute garbage and SCUM.
"If Fedor gets knocked out, he got knocked out by a middleweight, if Fedor wins, he beat a middleweight ,it's a lose-lose"
If you believe that Dana then you should discredit your star HW, 280 pound Brock Lesnar for beating a LHW Couture.
Absolutely pathetic.
if Dana's "SCUM", what the hell are all of us?
Dana isn't scum. Scum are the child molestors and serial rapists out in the world.
I do understand his criticism of the Fedor comment though. So if Fedor beats a middleweight, then what did Rampage beat? It didn't look like Quinton was fighting a MW to me. In fact, Rampage has at times weighed more than Fedor who I believe could easily cut to 205. Dana White is not scum, but he is definately biased against Fedor which everyone who follows this sport knows.
|
|
Post #12 7/28/11 5:26:25PM
|
pmoney
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 544-319
Season: 39-20 (#408)
Location: PD, CA, USA
|
Posted by Jride
I wish Dana White the absolute worst in life, he is absolute garbage and SCUM.
Whoa there dude! Dana white really pisses me off some times too. I don't appreciate his comments that attempt to negate the value of the Fedor-Henderson fight at all. I don't always agree with his policies, or the directions the UFC appears to be taking, or the matches that are made.... but isn't that a little much?
In Dana's defense, Lesnar-Couture was a fine fight to make. Randy was the undisputed HW champion of the world, in spite of giving up a lot of height and weight to his opponents (hmm, sounds familiar...). He had just gotten the belt from Sylvia, and then subsequently TKO'ed Gonzaga to defend it (Gonzaga was looking like a human murdering machine at the time). Not to mention, Couture looked pretty good against Brock until he got clipped by those cinder block fists behind the ear.
Dana White's personality might rub a lot of people the wrong way, myself included. But if it weren't for him and the fact he just happened to have friends who were (are) billionaires, this sport probably wouldn't be where it is today.
|
|
Post #13 7/28/11 5:38:47PM
|
REBEL WITH A CAUSE
Career record: 844-512
Season: 44-15 (#87)
Location: Milwaukie, Oregon
|
Posted by pmoney
Posted by Jride
I wish Dana White the absolute worst in life, he is absolute garbage and SCUM.
Whoa there dude! Dana white really pisses me off some times too. I don't appreciate his comments that attempt to negate the value of the Fedor-Henderson fight at all. I don't always agree with his policies, or the directions the UFC appears to be taking, or the matches that are made.... but isn't that a little much?
In Dana's defense, Lesnar-Couture was a fine fight to make. Randy was the undisputed HW champion of the world, in spite of giving up a lot of height and weight to his opponents (hmm, sounds familiar...). He had just gotten the belt from Sylvia, and then subsequently TKO'ed Gonzaga to defend it (Gonzaga was looking like a human murdering machine at the time). Not to mention, Couture looked pretty good against Brock until he got clipped by those cinder block fists behind the ear.
Dana White's personality might rub a lot of people the wrong way, myself included. But if it weren't for him and the fact he just happened to have friends who were (are) billionaires, this sport probably wouldn't be where it is today.
I said pretty much the same a few posts back. Woulda gave props but I gotta spread the love... I get ya later
_______________________________________
Rabi 4/25/13
#2 UFC 112 Points
#9 FFC3/AFC/NEFFN/VCS/Pancrase Combo Wagers
#12 TUF 8 FINALE Points
#12 Bellator 91 / Legacy FC / CCCW Combo Points
#12 M-1/FA8/CFA/GC/IGF Wagers
#14 UFC 143 Diaz vs Condit Points
#21 Bellator 53/MFC 31Points
#23 Strikeforce Tate vs Rousey Points
#23 Bellator/OneFC/Invicta/MFW/ROC/HFC Combo Points
" Dream As If You'll Live Forever, Live As If You'll Die Today"- James Dean
|
|
Post #14 7/28/11 5:47:18PM
|
pmoney
Heavyweight Champ
Career record: 544-319
Season: 39-20 (#408)
Location: PD, CA, USA
|
Posted by prophecy033
I said pretty much the same a few posts back. Woulda gave props but I gotta spread the love... I get ya later
True, lol. I was going to prop you for that, but I also have to spread the disease, er, spread the love 
I had to jump in on that topic, because no one had addressed the Brock-Randy reference. That was a fine fight to make.
|
|
Post #15 7/28/11 6:21:07PM
|
|
