Dana White: GSP is bigger than Wayne Gretzky, deal with it
GSP: “For me, Wayne Gretzky, he’s on top. For his sport, I believe Wayne Gretzky has done more for hockey…
GSP:
“For me, Wayne Gretzky, he’s on top. For his sport, I believe Wayne Gretzky has done more for hockey than I’ve done in mixed martial arts. And my goal is to reach that point and maybe pass that point if I can one day in my life.
“But if you talk worldwide, the sport of mixed martial arts, it’s true, it’s a fact, it’s actually more popular than ice hockey. Ice hockey, it’s only in North American and some countries in Europe. Outside of that it’s not very popular.
“Of course, mixed martial arts is worldwide. So if you talk about worldwide, (Dana White is) right as far as popularity.”
“But I haven’t reached the point that I have done enough for my sport to be like the Wayne Gretzky of MMA right now. I’m not there yet, I think.”
“Also people are used to (seeing) me every day here. Because I live here, I go to restaurants, so when they see them it’s not a big deal because they see me all the time.”
Dana White:
“Everybody keeps talking like I was smashing Gretzky. I didn’t say anything about Gretzky. I said (GSP) was the most famous athlete to ever come out of Canada. And everybody’s like ‘What about Wayne Gretzky?’ I said Wayne Gretzky too.
“It’s a fact. We’re in half a billion homes worldwide. This guy’s a huge superstar. … It’s a reality Canada, deal with it. This guy is the most famous guy to ever come out of Canada as far as sports go.”
“Just look at him. First of all he’s been a great champion. He’s a nice guy, he’s an incredible athlete, he represents the sport and the belt well.
“Be proud of him, Canada. Deal with it. He’s the most famous athlete in Canadian history.”