In 2007, UFC president Dana White and top star Tito Ortiz didn’t get along, so they decided to get it on – under boxing rules. They trained and were licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission; the contest was to have been on national television, with proceeds going to charity. However, Ortiz didn’t show at the weigh-ins, and the NSAC pulled the plug.

During a recent interview with Barstool Sports, White offered his side of the story.

I knew [I would win], and so did he,” said White, as transcribed by Adam Martin for BJPenn.com. “That’s why it didn’t happen. Tito Ortiz was doing a new deal with us. Tito and I hated each other so bad that Lorenzo Fertitta did this deal. Tito never had great hands. He had been working on his boxing with Fernando Vargas. He started to feel like his hands were getting in a good place and we hated each other. He told Lorenzo the last thing he wanted in his deal was a three round boxing match with me. Three three-minute rounds. I told Lorenzo yes, sign the deal.

This wasn’t going to be the first time Tito and I boxed. As it started to get closer and I was training — at the time I was sparring with heavyweight pro boxers who were ranked in the top-10 to get ready for that fight — I was in ridiculous shape and I was ready. I was going to whoop his ass in front of everybody.

Let me make this very clear. If this was an MMA match, Tito would murder me. Like it would be the most horrific beating you’ve ever f***ing seen in your life. He would double leg me and smash me against the fence. Tito would literally put his f***ing elbows through my skull. In a boxing match, I was going to f*** him up and make him look stupid. He knows that, and that’s why that match never happened.

Ortiz, 44, plans to fight Alberto Del Rio in Combates Americas. White, 50, will fight no more forever.

I’m too f***ing old for that now, White explained.

Back in 2007, Ortiz posted a not entirely coherent explanation on his MySpace page.

“I just got off the phone with The Scott Ferrall show (Sirius radio),” wrote Ortiz. “He said the fight with Dana was going to be for charity! That is the first time that has ever been brought to my attention that this fight was in any way shape or form going to be viewed by the public, or any proceeds made and given to a charity house. All of my fans know that I spend a huge amount of my time dedicated to charities. I help under priveleged childred, do bi-annual blood drives and many many other things that come from my heart. This wasn’t about charity. This is obviously about Dana White trying to save face. He did not want this fight to be viewed by you (the public) for fear of being punked. I came up with the idea to box Dana, and he agreed wholeheartedly. and dealpoints were discussed. We came to the conclusion that the training would be filmed and shown on Spike TV and the fight would be aired for PPV on UFC’s website and punishment.com. He then, a week before… pulled the plug, without an explaination. Well, to me THAT is punking out. And now he has the balls to try to lie and say it was initially for charity? That is LOW, VERY LOW.

“I have been getting paid for fighting the last 10 years. Im not going to start fighting for free now. But I will box Dana’s head for free if it goes to charity. Im trying to fight for what I believe in and I get held down on a consistent basis by Dana. Jealousy? I don’t know. But it isn’t right. I feel sorry for all the fighters that get taken advantage of, but I will not be that guy. I have gotten quite a few very negative comments by people here on my site, and it bothers me since I really go out of my way to do the right thing, not only for me, but for my family. This is not a hobby for me, its my Career! PERIOD! If I don’t look out for myself no one will. Love me or Hate me, I will still be fighting, kicking ass and taking names. I’ve been doing it for the last ten years.. and I will continue to dominate and be the best man I can be.”