Cerrone: White ‘1,000%’ receptive to concerns

Ousted Bellator MMA founder Bjorn Rebney spent two years organizing a new group that seeks to organize UFC fighters, the MMAFA. He was assisted in the endeavor by CAA, the rival for a generation of new UFC owners WME-IMG. The group debuted with a media conference call that included Rebney, along with CAA clients Georges St-Pierre, Tim Kennedy, T.J. Dillashaw, Cain Velasquez. Donald Cerrone also appeared with the group.

UFC president Dana White reacted by saying that fighters are free to do what they want and he respects each of them, that the inclusion of Rebney is a disaster, and that Cerrone should have called him first given the history between the pair.

Cerrone said he did not realize he was on the group’s board until it was announced during the call, and that his appearance was there to express the need for better healthcare for fighters, and the need for some kind of pension plan. He also said that he and White planned to discuss their differences in Toronto this weekend. Rather than a planned meal, the pair spoke for 15-20 minutes following a media day.

He’s a happy man, and I’m a happy man, said Cerrone at the post-fight press conference, as transcribed by Steven Marrocco for MMAjunkie. I just talked about what I wanted and what he expected out of me.

Cerrone said White was 1,000 percent receptive to his ideas.

It was always in a good place, said Cerrone said of their relationship. It reminds me of when you get in trouble with your dad, and they don’t ground you, they just tell you how disappointed they are in you, which is worse. So that’s kind of what he did to me.

He’s like, ‘You let me down.’ Not so much let him down, but it was kind of a slap in his face. I guess I should have let him know what I was getting involved in. It is what it is, but we’re on the up-and-up now.

Cerrone’s role in the MMAAA going forward is not clear. However, he is as always clear as a mountain morning about what he wants next in the UFC – fights, soon. He wants to fight at UFC on FOX 23 on January 28 in Denver, Colorado. He is game to fight Jorge Masvidal, who called him out after beating Jake Ellenberger at the TUF 24 Finale via toe jam. But that’s not his first choice.

If I had to pick one, it would be Demian Maia,” said Cerrone. “Because he’s on the way to the title fight. If I had to hurry up and choose someone for Denver, whoever they want to give me.