Dana White: I never should have let Anderson Silva fight

Anderson Silva had his last fight in the UFC at UFC on ESPN+ 39, losing to Uriah Hall. At the post-fight press conference, president Dana White said he never should have let the bout take place. The UFC boss also took exception to remarks Silva made earlier in the week, saying the league felt less like a family since the departure of Lorenzo Fertitta following the sale to WME-IMG (now Endeavor).

So, let me start here: It used to be a family when Lorenzo was here and all that kind of stuff, said White. We all miss Lorenzo, and I will always admit that Lorenzo was always the kinder, gentler side of the UFC. But I’ve done nothing but be good to Anderson Silva, and tonight I don’t feel good about myself that I let Anderson Silva fight out this last fight. We’ve treated Anderson Silva with nothing but respect, and if you guys knew what Anderson Silva gets paid to fight, you’d s*** your f***ing pants. So, I think that we’ve treated him like family. I shouldn’t have let him fight this fight tonight.

He fought a guy that has absolutely zero output. They’re in a five-round main event on ESPN and they threw f***ing 11 punches in the second round. You fight any of these other savages, he’ll be in big trouble, and he’ll take a s***load of punishment. Uriah Hall threw 11 punches in the second round. Uriah Hall is one of the most gun-shy fighters in the UFC.

And look at Anderson. When the fight was over, he couldn’t even stand up to do his interview. He had to sit down and do an interview. And I made a big mistake and I shouldn’t have let him fight this fight tonight. He’s a legend of this sport and he’s a legend of this company … I did something that I disagreed with. I knew I was right, and tonight proved I was right, and Anderson Silva should never fight again.

White was asked if he could prevent Silva from competing in Jiu-Jitsu or boxing.

I’m not trying to prevent him from doing anything, White said. He’s a grown man and he can do what he wants, and he’s got one fight left with us. I’ll never let him fight here again. I want him to retire. And what I hope is when he goes home to his family, they tell him that same thing.

I’m in a really hard position right now because this is a guy I care about and this is a guy that’s been here for a long time and is a legend of his company, and I don’t want to sit here and s*** on him. But he’s almost 46 years old. Unless you’re trying to defend your f***ing life or save your family, no one at 46 should be fighting.

White did say that although Silva had one fight left on his contract, he’s allow him out of it to fight for another organization, adding that another organzation signing Silva would be a scumbag move.

So, UG, who picks up Anderson Silva?

h/t Mike Bohn and Ken Hathaway for MMAjunkie