https://www.scmp.com/rss/502565/feed Dana White is the president of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship), an American MMA (mixed martial arts) organisation. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com SCMP Sport SCMP Sport UFC and Galaxy Macau have signed a new four-year deal, with the world’s top MMA organisation committing to hosting three fight nights in the casino city. In a statement on Thursday, UFC said the partnership followed what it called “the resounding success” of last year’s Yan v Figueiredo clash, which was the promotion’s fourth event in Macau since 2012. Dana White, UFC president and CEO, said the agreement with the hotel, which runs from next year through 2029, could not have “come at a better... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3324277/ufc-host-three-macau-fights-year-after-resounding-success-2024-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3324277/ufc-host-three-macau-fights-year-after-resounding-success-2024-event?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Sep 2025 03:59:50 +0000 Social media giant Meta announced on Monday the appointment of three new directors to its board, including Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) head Dana White, a close ally of US president-elect Donald Trump. The new board members were announced as Meta founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been making approaches to the incoming Trump administration, including donating one million dollars to Trump’s inauguration fund. Zuckerberg also dined with Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in November, as the... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3293784/meta-adds-ufc-boss-dana-white-board-mark-zuckerberg-seeks-mend-ties-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3293784/meta-adds-ufc-boss-dana-white-board-mark-zuckerberg-seeks-mend-ties-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 07 Jan 2025 11:46:40 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press As US president-elect Donald Trump makes a flurry of choices to fill out his incoming administration’s cabinet, the lobbying for key positions has been fierce behind closed doors – and sometimes publicly. Now billionaire and key Trump ally Elon Musk is calling for more direct public input into the decision-making process for at least one top post: the head of the US Treasury Department. “Would be interesting to hear more people weigh in on this for @realDonaldTrump to consider feedback,” Musk,... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3286890/musk-suggests-trump-let-public-weigh-who-should-lead-us-treasury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3286890/musk-suggests-trump-let-public-weigh-who-should-lead-us-treasury?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 Nov 2024 20:42:15 +0000 UFC president Dana White has been celebrating Donald Trump’s recent win in the 2024 presidential election. “@realdonaldtrump Congrats my friend,” he shared in one Instagram Story, alongside a photo of him chatting with the next president of the United States. Another post showed an edited shot of Trump’s face plastered over what appears to be a UFC fighter’s body. According to the Hindustan Times, Trump invited White and Tesla CEO Elon Musk to his election watch party at Mar-a-Lago last... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3286240/who-dana-whites-ultra-private-wife-anna-white-ufc-president-who-celebrated-donald-trump-and-elon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3286240/who-dana-whites-ultra-private-wife-anna-white-ufc-president-who-celebrated-donald-trump-and-elon?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 12 Nov 2024 22:00:10 +0000 Among attendees at Donald Trump’s election night victory party in Florida there were a few names who have backed him all the way throughout his campaign and some who even stepped up to appear alongside him at his rallies. Most famous among them was Tesla billionaire Elon Musk, but there was also UFC boss Dana White, US Open golf champion Bryson DeChambeau, NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and even a British political party leader. Read on to see some of the names on the guest list. Billionaire Elon... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3285697/trumps-election-night-bash-elon-musk-bryson-dechambeau-wayne-gretzky-caitlyn-jenner-and-more-party?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/entertainment/article/3285697/trumps-election-night-bash-elon-musk-bryson-dechambeau-wayne-gretzky-caitlyn-jenner-and-more-party?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 08 Nov 2024 10:00:14 +0000 UFC’s Song Yadong has offered to show MMA rival Sean Strickland around China after the American launched a racist rant against the country and its people. The 26-year-old opted to take the high road in an interview when asked about Strickland’s recent comments, in which he labelled Chinese people “animals”, “savages” and called them “the worst tourists in the world”. Speaking with sports journalist Helen Yee – whose mother is Taiwanese and whose father is from mainland China – Song also said... https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285570/ufc-song-yadong-offers-show-sean-strickland-around-china-after-fighters-toxic-slurs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/china/article/3285570/ufc-song-yadong-offers-show-sean-strickland-around-china-after-fighters-toxic-slurs?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 07 Nov 2024 13:00:08 +0000 American television network TBS is sticking with Dana White’s slap-fighting league in the wake of a domestic violence incident with his wife on New Year’s Eve – at least for now. Power Slap, the UFC-backed entity partially owned by the UFC president, was set to premiere next Wednesday, January 11 on TBS. However, the debut is being pushed back a week to January 18, a UFC official told broadcast partner ESPN. The New York Post reported that TBS has had “serious discussions” about pulling the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3205896/dana-whites-power-slap-premiere-delayed-now-tbs-after-ufc-boss-slapped-wife?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3205896/dana-whites-power-slap-premiere-delayed-now-tbs-after-ufc-boss-slapped-wife?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Jan 2023 12:18:51 +0000 UFC president Dana White apologised on Monday after he was caught on camera slapping his wife at a New Year’s Eve party in Mexico. White, 53, and his wife, Anne, were at a resort in Cabo San Lucas for the holiday, TMZ reported. Video showed White appearing to say something to his spouse, who then stood up and slapped him across the face. White immediately slapped her back, then slapped her a second time after she regained composure. The two were separated by other partygoers. well, this isn’t... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3205722/ufc-president-dana-white-says-sorry-slapping-wife-new-years-eve-party?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3205722/ufc-president-dana-white-says-sorry-slapping-wife-new-years-eve-party?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Jan 2023 11:18:58 +0000 Dana White is committed to strengthening the UFC’s presence in Asia. The Las Vegas-based MMA promotion will return to Asian soil with UFC 275 this Sunday in Singapore. The card, which will be topped by a pair of title fights, will be its first pay-per-view on the continent. And according to White, it will not be the last. The UFC president was asked if the promotion plans to host future pay-per-views in Asia during a Q&A with fans this week, and he was emphatic in his response. “Absolutely,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3181168/ufc-275-dana-white-promises-more-pay-views?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3181168/ufc-275-dana-white-promises-more-pay-views?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 10 Jun 2022 04:15:07 +0000 Australian heavyweight Tai Tuivasa left jaws on the floor at UFC 271 on Saturday night – including Dana White’s. Tuivasa, 28, returned to the cage in the card’s co-main event, taking on American knockout artist Derrick Lewis. Despite entering the Octagon as a slight underdog, the Australian picked up a career-changing knockout victory in the second round, levelling his hulking foe with an elbow to the head. “Awesome fight,” White, the UFC President, told the media after UFC 271. “That’s another... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3166872/ufc-271-dana-white-says-tai-tuivasa-will-soon?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3166872/ufc-271-dana-white-says-tai-tuivasa-will-soon?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Feb 2022 09:22:38 +0000 UFC president Dana White is very impressed by Ciryl Gane, the promotion’s interim heavyweight champion, to say the least. The 31-year-old Gane, a native of France, will return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 270 this Saturday in Anaheim, California, where he will challenge Francis Ngannou, of Cameroon, for the undisputed heavyweight championship. Speaking to ESPN after Saturday’s UFC Vegas 46 card, White was complimentary of both heavyweights, but had particularly high praise for “Bon... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163747/ufc-270-ciryl-gane-best-technical-heavyweight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163747/ufc-270-ciryl-gane-best-technical-heavyweight?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 17 Jan 2022 18:05:31 +0000 Irish superstar Conor McGregor did not take too kindly to Henry Cejudo invoking his name, with the former flyweight and bantamweight champion continuing his war of words with UFC president Dana White. The 34-year-old Cejudo (16-2) has made plenty of noise about coming out of retirement to step in and face 145-pound king Alex Volkanovski, after Max Holloway was forced to withdraw from their April trilogy fight. Featherweight champ Volkanovski will instead put his belt on the line against “The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163596/ufc-dana-white-rants-about-henry-cejudos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163596/ufc-dana-white-rants-about-henry-cejudos?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Jan 2022 12:11:48 +0000 ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong likes his chances in a potential fight with UFC president Dana White. Chatri, 50, was asked about a fight with his fellow promoter on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour on Wednesday. He did not make an outright prediction for the hypothetical tussle, but it was easy to ready between the lines. “I’m a lifelong martial artist,” Sityodtong said. “I’ve been doing Muay Thai for 35 years and I’m a Brazilian jiu jitsu brown belt. I train five, six times a week.” The... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163175/one-championship-boss-chatri-sityodtong-takes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3163175/one-championship-boss-chatri-sityodtong-takes?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 12 Jan 2022 22:37:12 +0000 Jake Paul has revealed his “boxing bucket list” and it includes UFC president Dana White. The 24-year-old social media star-turned-boxer is days removed from a sixth-round knockout win over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, but has already tabbed several combat sports stars as potential opponents for his upcoming fights. That trend continued on Wednesday, when the American shared a five-man “boxing bucket list” with his 4.1 million Twitter followers. My boxing bucket list: 1)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160891/jake-paul-puts-ufc-boss-dana-white-his-boxing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160891/jake-paul-puts-ufc-boss-dana-white-his-boxing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 23 Dec 2021 17:28:07 +0000 Dana White has said Khamzat Chimaev will start facing top-level opposition in 2022 – if anybody agrees to fight the Chechen-born Swede. Chimaev, 27, burst into the limelight in 2020, scoring first-round wins over John Phillips, Rhys McKee, and Gerald Meerschaert in his first three UFC bouts – all in less than five minutes combined. After being sidelined by a complicated bout with Covid-19 for much of 2021, Chimaev finally got back to business at UFC 267 in October, battering Chinese welterweight... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160606/ufc-dana-white-says-hes-struggling-find-real?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160606/ufc-dana-white-says-hes-struggling-find-real?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:50:38 +0000 Amanda Nunes did not feel like herself in her recent loss to Julianna Pena, and she is seeking help from medical experts in an effort to figure out why. The 33-year-old Brazilian, considered the greatest female fighter in MMA history, met Pena in the co-main event of UFC 269 this month, with the women’s bantamweight title on the line. In a jaw-dropping upset, she was battered and ultimately submitted by Pena in the second round. In the wake of the fight, it’s been widely opined that Nunes (21-5)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160605/ufc-amanda-nunes-will-talk-some-doctors-after?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160605/ufc-amanda-nunes-will-talk-some-doctors-after?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 21 Dec 2021 17:31:31 +0000 Dana White is not losing any sleep over the Omicron variant. White, the president of the UFC, was asked about the variant, and the surge of Covid-19 cases it is causing worldwide, at the post-fight press conference for Saturday’s UFC Vegas 45 – the promotion’s last event of the year. While other major sports have introduced significant policy changes to reduce the spread of the omicron variant, it does not sound like the UFC will be following suit. At least, not yet. “Through what I’m hoping... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160302/ufc-dana-white-could-care-less-about-omicron?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3160302/ufc-dana-white-could-care-less-about-omicron?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Dec 2021 09:01:14 +0000 UFC president Dana White says former two-division champion Conor McGregor is eager to get back in the Octagon, even with a long road to recovery still ahead. McGregor (22-6) has not fought since a stoppage loss to Dustin Poirier in July, which left him with a broken fibula. The 33-year-old Irishman’s body is still not ready for another fight, but from the sounds of it, his mind is. “He’s chomping at the bit to get back in there and compete again,” White said on the Jim Rome Podcast on... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3158108/ufc-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-chomping?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3158108/ufc-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-chomping?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Dec 2021 02:10:40 +0000 UFC president Dana White had money riding on Saul “Canelo” Alvarez for his boxing match against Caleb Plant in Las Vegas, and made sure not to miss the action – despite being cageside for his own event in New York. The Canelo-Plant bout went down at the same time as Saturday night’s UFC 268 card at Madison Square Garden, overlapping with the strawweight title fight between champion Rose Namajunas and challenger Zhang Weili. Dana White watching #CaneloPlant during #UFC268 at Madison Square... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155260/ufc-268-dana-white-watched-canelo-alvarez?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3155260/ufc-268-dana-white-watched-canelo-alvarez?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Nov 2021 06:21:33 +0000 Leave it to Jake Paul to be a man of the people. The internet celebrity turned wannabe professional boxer, who beat former UFC welterweight champion Tyrone Woodley on Sunday in Cleveland, has caught the Achilles heel of UFC president Dana White. White has a plethora of detractors who have been trying to take him down for years. Mainstream media outlets that tilt to the left hate the fact the UFC has gone from fringe sport to flirting with mainstream success. Whether you give White, or superstar... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3146623/jake-paul-right-fighter-pay-issue-wont-go?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3146623/jake-paul-right-fighter-pay-issue-wont-go?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:00:26 +0000 Carla Esparza can certainly feel hard done by, but Dana White has insisted Rose Namajunas against Zhang Weili for the strawweight title is the fight “everybody wants to see”. Former champ Zhang will get an immediate rematch at UFC 268 on November 6 inside New York’s Madison Square Garden, after Namajunas shocked her with a stunning first-round TKO in April. The main event will feature Kamaru Usman defending his welterweight title against Colby Covington, and UFC president White said featuring... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3146789/ufc-dana-white-says-everybody-wants-see-zhang?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3146789/ufc-dana-white-says-everybody-wants-see-zhang?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Aug 2021 08:32:22 +0000 Khabib Nurmagomedov granted a special birthday wish to a 66-year-old superfan who braved the searing Las Vegas summer heat to try to get a picture with her idol. UFC president Dana White saw a video of Nelly Gonzalez standing in temperatures of 40.5 degrees Celsius holding a sign reading “khabib plz 4 photo” outside the promotion’s Apex headquarters, following a four-hour drive from Lancaster, California. “I love him very much and that I just want to meet him in person,” Gonzalez – who has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3141225/ufc-khabib-nurmagomedov-grants-birthday-wish?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3141225/ufc-khabib-nurmagomedov-grants-birthday-wish?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:10:03 +0000 UFC president Dana White has given a time frame on Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon after the former two-weight champion was released from hospital in Los Angeles on Wednesday. McGregor (22-6) underwent a three-and-a-half hour surgery to fix his left tibia and fibula after breaking his leg in the final seconds of the first round of last Saturday’s UFC 264 main event against Dustin Poirier. “I think they just released him right now from the hospital about 10, 15 minutes ago,” White told... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3141208/ufc-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-will-be?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3141208/ufc-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-will-be?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:02:18 +0000 Dana White criticised Conor McGregor for bringing Dustin Poirier’s wife into his trash talk before and after Saturday night’s dramatic UFC 264 main event. Former two-weight champ McGregor (22-6) suffered a brutal leg break in the final seconds of the first round, with Poirier (28-6, one no contest) winning by doctor stoppage. The Irishman had attempted to rile “The Diamond” up all week by insulting his wife, Jolie, who joined her husband in the Octagon after his win, with McGregor subjecting her... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3140682/ufc-264-dana-white-criticises-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3140682/ufc-264-dana-white-criticises-conor-mcgregor?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jul 2021 09:59:01 +0000 Dana White said he and reigning middleweight champion Israel Adesanya are already talking about his next fight with former champion Robert Whittaker. “The Last Stylebender” Adesanya (21-1) successfully defended his belt against Marvin Vettori (17-4-1) via unanimous decision at UFC 263 on Saturday night – his third defence since taking the title from Whittaker (23-5) via second-round TKO in Melbourne, Australia in 2019. “Vettori is a tank, man, he’s so tough and durable. The amount of leg kicks... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3137157/ufc-263-dana-white-wants-israel-adesanya-vs?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3137157/ufc-263-dana-white-wants-israel-adesanya-vs?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 12:12:48 +0000 UFC fan favourite Nate Diaz said he “lost all motivation” to fight Leon Edwards having sustained an injury above his eye leading up to their fight. The 36-year-old American (21-13), who lost to “Rocky” Edwards (19-3, 1 no contest) via unanimous decision at UFC 263 on Saturday night more than a year and a half since his last fight, congratulated the British-Jamaican and said he wanted a quick turnaround. “It went how it went. I got a cut in training, that’s why we had to push the fight back for a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3137156/ufc-263-nate-diaz-lost-all-motivation-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3137156/ufc-263-nate-diaz-lost-all-motivation-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Jun 2021 12:02:29 +0000 UFC president Dana White has slammed the Triller Fight Club promotion that oversaw YouTuber Jake Paul’s win over Ben Askren in a boxing match. Paul beat retired NBA star Nate Robinson at the end of last year before knocking out retired MMA champion Askren in the first-round earlier this month. The 24-year-old Paul later claimed that a staggering 1.3 million people bought the pay-per-view event, which included live music performances and slap fighting. “Nah, I don’t know if the numbers are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3131013/ufc-dana-white-slams-jake-pauls-triller-fight?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3131013/ufc-dana-white-slams-jake-pauls-triller-fight?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Apr 2021 10:49:45 +0000 UFC president Dana White has called welterweight champion Kamaru Usman “one of the best ever” after his stunning second-round KO against Jorge Masvidal. The 33-year-old Usman (19-1) was booed by most of the Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena crowd in Masvidal’s (35-15) home state of Florida, but seemingly won some fans over after yet another dominant title defence in Saturday night’s rematch. “I think we can all agree, no matter how you feel [about him],” White said in the UFC 261 post-fight press... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3131001/ufc-261-dana-white-says-kamaru-usman-closing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3131001/ufc-261-dana-white-says-kamaru-usman-closing?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 25 Apr 2021 08:14:58 +0000 Retired boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jnr said he is working with UFC president Dana White and Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakikabara on “a huge deal”, although it is unclear whether it signifies a ring return or a debut in the mixed martial arts cage. “Money” Mayweather (professional boxing record 50-0) has not fought since humiliating Japanese kick-boxer Tenshin Nasukawa via first-round TKO in an exhibition bout overseen by MMA promotion Rizin on New Year’s Eve in 2018. The 44-year-old’s last... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3129098/floyd-mayweather-working-huge-deal-ufc-boss?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3129098/floyd-mayweather-working-huge-deal-ufc-boss?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Apr 2021 06:20:48 +0000 UFC president Dana White hinted that former welterweight champion Tyron Woodley should start thinking about retirement after suffering his fourth successive defeat. “The Chosen One” Woodley (19-7-1) lost via second-round submission to 10th-ranked Vicente Luque (20-7-1) at UFC 260, making it four losses in as many fights since losing his title to Kamaru Usman in 2019. Despite a much-improved performance, White believes American Woodley may need to call time on his impressive career, which... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3127327/ufc-dana-white-hints-tyron-woodley-should?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3127327/ufc-dana-white-hints-tyron-woodley-should?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Mar 2021 07:57:04 +0000 UFC president Dana White has told former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones to call him if he is serious about a heavyweight match-up with new champion Francis Ngannou. “Bones” Jones (26-1, one no contest), who relinquished his belt last summer over public disagreements with White regarding fighter pay, tweeted “show me the money” following “The Predator” Ngannou’s (16-3) impressive second-round TKO win over Stipe Miocic at UFC 260 on Saturday night. White was clearly impressed with the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3127326/ufc-dana-white-and-jon-jones-reignite-feud?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3127326/ufc-dana-white-and-jon-jones-reignite-feud?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 28 Mar 2021 07:51:47 +0000 Dana White has finally given up his seeming lost cause of convincing Khabib Nurmagomedov to come back to the Octagon for one last fight, with the UFC president confirming his lightweight champ has called it quits. The UFC president had dinner with the Russian in Las Vegas on Thursday night, and posted a picture of them together on Twitter saying “29-0 it is … he is [100 emoji] officially retired”. “Thank you for EVERYTHING and enjoy whatever is next my friend,” White added, with the UFC quickly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3126129/ufc-khabib-nurmagomedov-officially-retires?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3126129/ufc-khabib-nurmagomedov-officially-retires?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Mar 2021 06:39:39 +0000 Dana White is at it again. The brazen, unapologetic UFC president put out a short video declaring UFC 261 – which will take place in Jacksonville, Florida on April 24 – is going to be a sold-out show. “I have been waiting a year to this day, to tell you, we are back,” said White in a short clip posted to the UFC’s Twitter page. “And you know I’m bringing an incredible card.” Before we get into the juicy news side of this story, let us commend White: yes, this is a great card. Kamaru Usman versus... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3125807/ufc-261-dana-white-thumbs-covid-19-shamers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3125807/ufc-261-dana-white-thumbs-covid-19-shamers?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 17 Mar 2021 13:00:13 +0000 She came from a humble background in Brazil and has been hailed as the greatest female MMA fighter ever. But what does it all mean to “The Lioness”, Amanda Nunes?  How successfully are luxury brands reaching out to LGBTQ+ consumers? Meet the UFC fighter who wants to make an impact and help people around the world live their truth. Manny Pacquiao fights covid and – maybe – UFC’s Conor McGregor A fighter from the beginning View this post on Instagram A post... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3124719/amanda-nunes-ufcs-first-openly-lesbian-fighter-7-things?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3124719/amanda-nunes-ufcs-first-openly-lesbian-fighter-7-things?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Mar 2021 22:00:13 +0000 Dominick Cruz caused a stir when he called out Monster Energy representative Hans Molenkamp and challenged him to a charity fight, following his unanimous decision win at UFC 259. “The Dominator” beat Casey Kenney in Las Vegas on Saturday night, but spent as large part of his post-fight interview telling a bemused looking Joe Rogan he wanted to teach Molenkamp a lesson for “holding fighters hostage” and demanding personal PR from them. “It’s all weird,” UFC president Dana White said when asked... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124462/ufc-259-dana-white-backs-monster-dominick?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124462/ufc-259-dana-white-backs-monster-dominick?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Mar 2021 15:08:34 +0000 UFC president Dana White paid full respect to Jan Blachowicz for retaining his light heavyweight title against Israel Adesanya, but was baffled by some of the judges’ scoring. In particular, two 49-45 scorecards for Saturday night’s UFC 259 main event at the Apex facility. “The scoring was insane, these guys were giving out 10-8 rounds like they were [expletive] … there were two rounds in that fight that they gave a 10-8. When I came up in the fight business, a 10-8 was an ass whipping,” White... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124458/ufc-259-dana-white-blasts-insane-judges-10-8?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124458/ufc-259-dana-white-blasts-insane-judges-10-8?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Mar 2021 14:23:33 +0000 With UFC 259 set to go down in Las Vegas at the promotion’s Apex facility on Saturday night, middleweight kingpin Israel Adesanya has a shot at becoming a dual-division champion. And if he does defeat light heavyweight champ Jan Blachowicz, “The Last Stylebender” could have a chance of headlining the first UFC event back in front of a full crowd, after Texas Governor Greg Abbott this week lifted the state’s Covid-19 mask mandate, allowing businesses to resume at 100 per cent capacity. “If he... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124191/ufc-259-dana-white-wants-texas-arena-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3124191/ufc-259-dana-white-wants-texas-arena-event?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Mar 2021 04:07:11 +0000 Israel Adesanya’s hype has been compared to that of Conor McGregor and, with his 20-0 winning streak, he is considered to be one of the best MMA (mixed martial arts) fighters in the world. Now the Nigerian-born fighter is moving to the light heavyweight division for a title fight against Jan Blachowicz in UFC 259 on March 6.  School of hard knocks: the rise of MMA champion Conor McGregor In pre-interviews with ESPN, Adesanya said he hasn’t done anything different in preparation for the fight,... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3124102/israel-adesanya-new-conor-mcgregor-how-nigeria-born-ufc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3124102/israel-adesanya-new-conor-mcgregor-how-nigeria-born-ufc?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Mar 2021 20:00:11 +0000 After announcing his return to action in ONE Championship against Shinya Aoki, “Super” Sage Northcutt has opened up on the criticism he received from UFC president Dana White and fans following his horror knockout nearly two years ago. The 24-year-old American (11-3) suffered a 29-second, one-punch KO by Cosmo Alexandre (8-1) on his ONE Championship debut at 185 pounds in the promotion’s welterweight division, in Singapore in May 2019. Brazilian striking veteran Alexandre has more than 104... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3123072/one-championship-sage-northcutt-opens-ufc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3123072/one-championship-sage-northcutt-opens-ufc?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Feb 2021 06:26:48 +0000 UFC president Dana White still isn’t giving up hope on getting Khabib Nurmagomedov back in the Octagon. The undefeated lightweight champ (29-0) announced his shock retirement after submitting Justin Gaethje (22-3) on Fight Island last October. The 32-year-old Russian revealed he promised his mother it would be his last fight following the death of his father and coach Abdulmanap. White met Nurmagomedov last month for talks in Abu Dhabi before Dustin Poirier (27-6) knocked out Conor McGregor... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3121634/ufc-dana-white-not-buying-khabib-nurmagomedov?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3121634/ufc-dana-white-not-buying-khabib-nurmagomedov?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 13 Feb 2021 04:47:38 +0000 UFC president Dana White thinks Conor McGregor faces a pivotal moment in his career after his shock second-round TKO by Dustin Poirier on Sunday. The former two division champ suffered his first knockout loss on Fight Island, and has now won just twice at lightweight in four and a half years, with his prospect of regaining the 155-pounds title taking a huge hit. The 32-year-old Irishman (22-5) talked in his post-fight press conference of taking trilogy bouts with Poirier (27-6, one no contest)... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3119053/ufc-257-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-faces?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3119053/ufc-257-dana-white-says-conor-mcgregor-faces?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Jan 2021 17:32:46 +0000 Dana White seems to have lost all hope of convincing Khabib Nurmagomedov to return to the Octagon one more time. The UFC president revealed he had spoken to the retired lightweight champ after Sunday’s UFC 257 main event, where Dustin Poirier (27-6, one no contest) shocked the MMA world with a second-round TKO of Conor McGregor (22-5) on Fight Island. “I did talk to Khabib, and he said to me, ‘Dana, be honest with yourself, I’m so many levels above these guys, I beat these guys’,” White said at... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3119051/ufc-257-dana-white-says-khabib-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3119051/ufc-257-dana-white-says-khabib-comeback?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 24 Jan 2021 16:54:48 +0000 UFC president Dana White has reiterated his warning to illegal MMA streamers ahead of his promotion’s first pay-per-view event of the year on Sunday. White revealed this month he has a “surprise” waiting for fans who plan on pirating UFC 257, which features the company’s top draw Conor McGregor in the main event against Dustin Poirier. The show is set to bring in a huge buy rate, with UFC broadcast partner ESPN also increasing subscription prices and PPV fees at the start of the year. “I’m glad... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3118834/ufc-257-dana-white-reiterates-warning-illegal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3118834/ufc-257-dana-white-reiterates-warning-illegal?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Jan 2021 08:24:39 +0000 After putting on a clinic against Calvin Kattar in the UFC Fight Island 7 main event on Sunday, Max Holloway floated the idea of getting the golden ticket to fight Khabib Nurmagomedov. “Khabib wanted somebody to impress him,” the former featherweight champ said, following a unanimous decision that saw 10-8 rounds galore and even one 50-42 scorecard on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi. A fight between the two fell out in April 2018 but UFC president Dana White is not intending to match them up again, if... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3118065/ufc-dana-white-says-georges-st-pierre-never?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3118065/ufc-dana-white-says-georges-st-pierre-never?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 17 Jan 2021 06:47:24 +0000 Dana White has revealed more about his plans for illegal streamers ahead of the UFC’s first event of 2021. The promotion’s president has long been trying to crack down on his pay-per-view events being unlawfully broadcast by streaming websites. Last week he replied to a fan on Instagram saying he had a “surprise” in store and “[couldn’t] wait to catch” those who continued to pirate UFC content – starting with UFC 257: Poirier vs McGregor on January 23. “We’ve been one of the leagues that has... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117733/ufc-dana-white-elaborates-illegal-streamers?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117733/ufc-dana-white-elaborates-illegal-streamers?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:30:32 +0000 Nate Diaz may finally have a fight booked again soon, according to UFC president Dana White. The 35-year-old Stockton native last fought in a third-round loss via doctor’s stoppage to Jorge Masvidal for the ‘BMF’ belt at UFC 244 in 2019. He has fought just twice since losing an infamous Conor McGregor rematch in August 2016. “We’re working on a Nate Diaz fight right now [at] lightweight. And it’s not Tony [Ferguson]. But if we get it done, I think you’re going to like it,” White told The Mac... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117706/ufc-nate-diaz-fight-works-will-put-him-really?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117706/ufc-nate-diaz-fight-works-will-put-him-really?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 Jan 2021 07:16:27 +0000 Athletes have always had a precariously hit or miss time when it comes to politics. LeBron James found himself playing the villain during the NBA’s controversy with the Chinese government, which lingers to this day. Alternatively, US women’s football star Megan Rapinoe found a new level of stardom by getting into a war of words with US President Donald Trump. Michael Jordan offered probably the first high-profile political controversy of the modern era when he famously said in 1990, “Republicans... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117584/dana-white-should-wash-his-hands-donald-trump?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117584/dana-white-should-wash-his-hands-donald-trump?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 13 Jan 2021 12:00:07 +0000 UFC president Dana White says he is going to press retired star Khabib Nurmagomedov “as hard as I can for one more” fight in the Octagon. White has not spoken to the 32-year-old former lightweight champion (29-0) since he announced his emotional retirement after dominating Justin Gaethje via second-round submission at UFC 254 in October. The pair are scheduled for a sit-down on Fight Island some time this month. “I’m obviously meeting with him because I believe that he should fight again. I... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117223/ufc-dana-white-will-push-retired-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117223/ufc-dana-white-will-push-retired-khabib?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:00:09 +0000 Conor McGregor predicts he will finish lightweight opponent Dustin Poirier within a minute of their rematch. The Irishman (22-4) brought back shades of his classic “Mystic Mac” predictions in a UFC 257 promotional video. The 32-year-old headlines the card alongside American Poirier (26-6) in Abu Dhabi on January 23. “I like Dustin. I think he’s a good fighter. He’s even a great fighter. But great is still levels below me. I’ll knock Dustin out inside 60 seconds,” said the former two-weight... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117230/ufc-conor-mcgregor-vows-ko-dustin-poirier?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3117230/ufc-conor-mcgregor-vows-ko-dustin-poirier?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Jan 2021 12:00:08 +0000 UFC president Dana White has hinted that he will be cracking down on illegal MMA streamers ahead of the promotion’s 2021 season. The first pay-per-view of the year is UFC 257, headlined by lightweight superstars Conor McGregor and Dustin Poirier on January 23. The card is likely to garner substantial revenue, with “Notorious” McGregor having commanded more than one million pay-per-view buys on five occasions for the UFC. In an Instagram post promoting the bout on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi, White... https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116506/ufc-dana-white-has-surprise-illegal-mma?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/martial-arts/mixed-martial-arts/article/3116506/ufc-dana-white-has-surprise-illegal-mma?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:52:18 +0000