Dana White criticizes Francis Ngannou and the PFL

Since Dana White became the president of the UFC in 2001, he’s been ruthless toward those that have gone against him. He once famously held a tombstone with names of MMA promotions that collapsed, including Elite XC, Affliction, and more. Though his attitude has rubbed many people the wrong way, it was this same attitude that led the sport to explode into an industry worth billions of dollars. White has stayed relatively quiet on the topic of rival fight promotions in recent years, and that’s because the UFC has had such a strong lead against everyone else. That might be changing soon, and we got a glimpse of that last Saturday.

White was asked about his thoughts on Francis Ngannou signing with the PFL at the post-fight press conference for UFC Fight Night 224. “

Based on what I know about the deal, which is not much, it makes no sense to me. You’re going to pay a guy not to fight for a year, and it’s already been like 14 months. He’s fought three times in the last three years. Francis wants to take zero risks,” White said.

In addition to ripping into Ngannou, White criticized the PFL, whom he’s been respectful of in the past. “I’m hearing that they’re raising money right now, $280 million, $300 million from the Middle East. Who in the hell would give them $280 million because I’m hearing they’re buying Bellator,” White said. 

It’s been a long time since the UFC has felt threatened by another fight promotion. If the PFL does indeed raise that kind of money and purchase Bellator, you can expect the entire landscape of the sport to change.

Jim Brown, who called UFC 1, has died at the age of 87

Jim Brown was known for a lot of things over the course of his life. He was an NFL player that was on the team that won the championship in 1964, he was a pro football Hall of Famer, and he was a civil rights activist. In addition to these accolades, Brown is an important figure in MMA history, as he was a commentator for UFC 1 in 1993. “Bill, I’ve been around the toughest fighters in the world in Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Mike Tyson. I’ve been around the greatest NFL players, the tough guys, Dick Butkus, Sam Huff, all of those guys. But I tell you, they could not last in this ring,” Brown said at UFC 1.

He passed away on May 18 at this home. He’ll always be a part of the soundtrack of our sport.

Quick hits

• MacKenzie Dern accused her ex-husband of domestic violence.

• Cain Velasquez‘s attempted murder trial has been delayed until August.

• Adam Sandler is working with Dana White on a new UFC comedy show.

• Khamzat Chimaev said the UFC won’t let him ‘kill’ Israel Adesanya.

• Tom Aspinall feels like a different person after knee surgery.

• Shavkat Rakhmonov wants to fight Kelvin Gastelum at 170 pounds.

• Tatiana Suarez vs. Virna Jandiroba at strawweight is set for August 5.

• Jan Blachowicz wants to test his striking against Alex Pereira.

• Tyson Fury refuses Dana White’s offer to fight Jon Jones in the UFC.

• Ariel Helwani was offered to have Donald Trump as a guest on his show.

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