Dana White talks HBO, PRIDE FC, Liddell-Silva and more
From the HBO deal to recent PRIDE FC rumors to the showdown between Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva that may not happen, UFC President Dana White and four fighters answered wide-ranging questions today during the conference call to promote UFC 73: "Stacked."
Sam Caplan over at FiveOuncesOfPain.com was on the call — along with other reporters and UFC fighters Rashad Evans, Tito Ortiz, Sean Sherk and Nathan Marquardt — but we'll summarize his summary.
That's because there were some interesting topics discussed.
Here's what we found most intriguiing:
- White "scoffed" at the claim that the HBO deal is dead. In fact, White said that the UFC was, "right about there with the deal."
- Old PRIDE FC contracts, according to White, are valid with Pride Worldwide —the new company that owns PRIDE FC. However, a lot of the fighters on the PRIDE FC roster are signing with the UFC because the status of the promotion is uncertain right now and they want to fight. And reports that PRIDE FC running a show anytime soon appear to be untrue, according to White, because there is still so much that needs to be sorted out regarding its future.
- The blockbuster fight between Liddell and Silva is a little overblown and that it is unlikely to happen at UFC 76 on September 22 if at all so soon. In fact, Liddell could actually return in November.
- Evans' uncle wants Ortiz to "pay for all the years the black man was enslaved" after the "Nappy Headed Ho" comments.
- Sokoudjou may not be allowed to fight in EliteXC (he's legally tied to PRIDE FC for two more fights) despite reports that he signed with organization.
- White called the people who reported Ken Shamrock would fight Michael Bisping as, "Internet Knuckleheads." Who, us? He went on to say that he doesn't believe Shamrock is still a UFC-caliber fighter and that Shamrock should consider retirement.
That's our recap of the recap. Head over to FiveOuncesOfPain for the entire scoop.
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43 comments
Comments
Liddell is gonna KO Silva before the end of the second round,mark my words,dosent matter where they fight.
by mcanena on Jun 28, 2007 5:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“White called the people who reported Ken Shamrock would fight Michael Bisping as, “Internet Knuckleheads.” Who, us?"
!!!!YOU BASTARDS!!!
I guess that since the UFC is so slow to inform the fans as to what is happening, somebody has to do it. Maybe they should thank you for keeping up the interest while we have to wait for so long for info……or Welter Weight title defences.
by Freddy on Jun 28, 2007 5:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
GREAT pretty much every thing i didnt want to hear i hope to god thst the hbo deal doesnt work out cause i dont have it anymore and rogan and Goldberg wont go along with it
by adam on Jun 28, 2007 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had the feeling that you (mania) made that sh*t up about Shamrock vs Bisping to get all the idiots talking who think Bisping hasnt showed an ounce of talent.
Bisping is gonna give Hamill such a beating I could see him never competing in MMA again.
by mcanena on Jun 28, 2007 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ken Shamrock still draws a crowd, why not let him fight one more time even if he will be beaten into oblivion.
by c-war on Jun 28, 2007 5:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What does the FC stand for at the end of PrideFC? F#cked company? F#cked Corporation? Former Championships? Fairly Comatose?
by Mamas Boy on Jun 28, 2007 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“White called the people who reported Ken Shamrock would fight Michael Bisping as, “Internet Knuckleheads.” Who, us?"
!!!!YOU BASTARDS!!!
I guess that since the UFC is so slow to inform the fans as to what is happening, somebody has to do it. Maybe they should thank you for keeping up the interest while we have to wait for so long for info……or Welter Weight title defences.
Yeah, I’m going to go down a bottle of pain pills now that Dana thinks we are irresponsible.
by Mamas Boy on Jun 28, 2007 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What are supposed to do, wait for the monthly annoucements on spike or ppv? I cant beleive dana called me a knucklehead. Its not like a put on my harry potter shirt and play warcraft all night. Not cool dana, not cool at all
by I_did_a_mistake on Jun 28, 2007 6:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
When is Dana going to hire a PR person to do all the talking for him? He needs to get out of the limelight.
The HBO deal is almost complete? he’s been saying that for awhile now.
Seriously, at first it was just whining PRIDE nuthuggers who hated him for “ruining” the “greatest” MMA org in the world, but now it seems like Dana has somehow managed to turn even hardcore UFC fans against him.
I guess it’s kind of like the USA. Too much power makes people hate you. (Especially when you do shitty things with that power.)
The decision that has me starting to really question things for sure is the Matt Hughes/Matt Serra fight being put off for so long. I’m really starting to wonder abut things now…
by Soups on Jun 28, 2007 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What are supposed to do, wait for the monthly annoucements on spike or ppv? I cant beleive dana called me a knucklehead. Its not like a put on my harry potter shirt and play warcraft all night. Not cool dana, not cool at all
Harry Potter is COOL!!! Best selling book of all time!!! AND, Warcraft is awesome!!!
I have to go, I just got some new 12 sided dice in, Special Order!
by Freddy on Jun 28, 2007 6:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We almost had Dana White vs Tito Ortiz, any chance of a Dana White vs a “washed up” Ken Shamrock? Hey, a knucklehead can dream too.
by MrFye on Jun 28, 2007 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dana is still the man, people just expect too much from him.
by BLOodyMEss on Jun 28, 2007 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Well it was the Fight Network that announced Ken fighting, not so much the Internet. We just spread the news.
by jd on Jun 28, 2007 6:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe this will be a second chance to get soko on board for good.
by Tons on Jun 28, 2007 6:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL at all the people stung by “internet knuckleheads”. One reporter at The Fight Network actually divulged the false info about Bisping/Shamrock. If you aren’t that one reporter, there’s no reason to think Dana is criticizing you.
by Fred on Jun 28, 2007 7:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“What are supposed to do, wait for the monthly annoucements on spike or ppv? I cant beleive dana called me a knucklehead. Its not like a put on my harry potter shirt and play warcraft all night. Not cool dana, not cool at all”
seriously how offensive, i put on my lord of the rings shirt and play everquest all night. inconsiderate bastard.
PS: shamrock should have retired 3 years ago, before he made tito ortiz look good.
i hope bisbing gets his ass waxed whomever he fights never
i kinda hope theres a way that serra and hughes can both lose the fight
tuf6 will most likely blow
by storhaug on Jun 28, 2007 7:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Gotta love the lay-offs between fights (in response to Lidell not fighting until November). The Hughes-Serra fight in December is ridiculous – Serra will be a champ for nine months before Hughes takes his belt back. Now, the most popular UFC fighter is having a six month break between fights. At this rate, Chuck won’t see a title shot until he is 50. I’m sorry, but this is no way to run things. How will belts ever change hands at this pace? How will younger, less experienced fighters be able to meet their potential with such crazy lay-offs? Plus, it is tougher to market popular fighters when they fight twice a year (or in some cases even less). More shows may help…several leagues (that are televised) may help as well (similar to the NHL, AHL, ECHL farm system). I’m getting tired of waiting to see the best fight. Why not have a weekly show???
by WADZ on Jun 28, 2007 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If UFC gets to have Sokoudjou via his existing Pride contract then why did they make him an offer to come to them? A bad offer at that too – but still, why pay for what you already paid for?>?> sounds fishy.
by Ron on Jun 28, 2007 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL at all the people stung by “internet knuckleheads”. One reporter at The Fight Network actually divulged the false info about Bisping/Shamrock. If you aren’t that one reporter, there’s no reason to think Dana is criticizing you.
WOW, at least one person understood his statement. Although you wonder if they feel that they have been personally attacked, by a comment that was obviously for the reporter/s who spoke of a Shamrock the fight then , maybe the comment fits after all…LOL
by The Monkey on Jun 28, 2007 7:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, the people here are going absolutely apeshit about the knucklehead comment…? If anything, I think people here are mildly amused at the comment, and joking about it. Stop the preaching, please.
by Soups on Jun 28, 2007 8:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The most dissapointing news here is the Liddell/Silva fight unlikely to happen anytime soon or at all. Soko still has a chance at coming over which is great. Bisping/Hamill is situated. PRIDE is in the dumps…we all ready knew that. Top talent should come to UFC and get paid.
by Stafo on Jun 28, 2007 8:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh and the Ortiz paying for his comment because Rashad’s uncle wanted 15 seconds of fame is ridiculous. First of all the comment was funny as hell, and was obviously smack talk. Ortiz is hispanic why should he pay for slavery. Neither him or his roots had anything to do with it…LOL
by Stafo on Jun 28, 2007 8:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“Evans’ uncle wants Ortiz to “pay for all the years the black man was enslaved” after the “Nappy Headed Ho” comments."
Hahaha…. that is the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time.. Who sold all those black people again? Oh yeah.. other black people.
by DirtyML on Jun 28, 2007 8:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
“Evans’ uncle wants Ortiz to “pay for all the years the black man was enslaved” after the “Nappy Headed Ho” comments."
Hahaha…. that is the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time.. Who sold all those black people again? Oh yeah.. other black people.
lol. thats funny
by RoB on Jun 28, 2007 9:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What is Dana White smoking? I have been waiting on lidell and silva forever, cut tha crap and let them fight for god’s sake. I would pay any amount of money for that pay per view and so would 10 million other people!
by JimmyDean on Jun 28, 2007 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Oh, and Evans is going to punish tito into his retirement. Just a little bit earlier than ken, so who will have the last laugh. ha ha ha ha!
by JimmyDean on Jun 28, 2007 10:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone besides me turn the channel when Josh fights? He is soooooo boring. And I hope Rogain leaves, ever listen to the announcers at WEC? They know who to put in the box.
by Stevanski on Jun 28, 2007 10:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ken Shamrock had one fight left on his UFC contract and Dana White released him from his contract I think today? I just read this off a wrestling website.
KEN IS DONE IN THE UFC
by "Mr.Nc-17" on Jun 28, 2007 10:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The guy that cuts Lorenzo Fertitta’s hair is more of a zuffa insider than blaf. These “dana says” reports are tomfoolery.
Any chance of starting a blog called mma mania?
by dict on Jun 28, 2007 10:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had the feeling that you (mania) made that sh*t up about Shamrock vs Bisping to get all the idiots talking who think Bisping hasnt showed an ounce of talent.
Bisping is gonna give Hamill such a beating I could see him never competing in MMA again.
Your right Bisbings gonna beat hammil so bad his hearing returns.
by clint notestine on Jun 28, 2007 11:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone besides me turn the channel when Josh fights? He is soooooo boring. And I hope Rogain leaves, ever listen to the announcers at WEC? They know who to put in the box.
Mir adds tech comments to the WEC.. he does a good job, but Rogan is a great fit for the UFC. However, Goldberg and Rogan are doubtful to be with the HBO crew… HBO wants their own crew.
by Luppers on Jun 28, 2007 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
is it me ?or is all this power starting to go to danas head saying thierry sokoudjou has a legal tie fer 2 fights w pride then in next sentence says pride will have no recent plans?im sure like most contracts there is a “due date”we’ll call it that for simpletons theirry look carefully ,u r too good of an fighter to be on the shelf MAYBE THE BEST IN THE WORLD… YES I SAID IT..HENDO SAYS HE KILLS EVERYONE ,HES THE 1 WHO RIPPED FRANK SHAMROCKS MCL 3 WEEKS AGO B4 HIS FIGHT
by gvoll on Jun 29, 2007 3:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
WOULD IT B BETTER IF WE HAD AN ACTUAL RANKINGS 4 EACH DIV?
by gvoll on Jun 29, 2007 3:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
lol. thats funny
Your comment was as stupid as Rashads uncle’s comment
by Holdin Ropes on Jun 29, 2007 6:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I spinelessly have nothing to say on my end. I am enjoying all the banter above…=)
by Fuzz203 on Jun 29, 2007 9:18 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I had the feeling that you (mania) made that sh*t up about Shamrock vs Bisping to get all the idiots talking who think Bisping hasnt showed an ounce of talent.
Bisping is gonna give Hamill such a beating I could see him never competing in MMA again.
I diagree during the TUF Bisping could hardly handle Hamill.Matt is too big and strong,and those pb abd j sandwiches are just too much for Bisping.I pick Hamill via ground and pound in the third round.
by Paul Dawson on Jun 29, 2007 11:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Mania, I dont see my post from earlier this evening. Would you mind giving the reason why it’s no longer here?
by Machine on Jul 1, 2007 12:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I diagree during the TUF Bisping could hardly handle Hamill.Matt is too big and strong,and those pb abd j sandwiches are just too much for Bisping.I pick Hamill via ground and pound in the third round.
Bisping by TKO corner stoppage round 2.
by IceFan on Jul 1, 2007 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
well they better get the hbo deal done that was the main reason why i coughed up the dough to get hbo damm it. what’s with the long lay offs?? serra has had the belt for 4 months now isn’t on the next couple of ufc cards to defend it. so when is he going to defend the belt. i heard against hughes in nov or dec. that is absurd he gets the belt that long but never defends it and besides hughes fought only lyght no biggy for him give him another fight before the belt. if he wins he gets a title shot again have serra defend it in sept in anaheim against jon fitch or someone. matt hughes needs to fight someone throw mike swick to him or karo pariyan or someone. its not fair that others have to defend their belt like silva but others get a free ticket. makes them look like cowards, i know hughes isn’t a coward he fights alot give him someone to fuck up till he gets to serra and besides gsp is fighting in aug against someone good proving he wants another shot give hughes someone good as well.
by bryant on Jul 2, 2007 2:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
At the rate Dana White is going, Serra and Hughes will be in their 80s by the time they finally get to fight each other. As for Chuck Liddell possible facing Wanderlei Silva..lmao..by the time Dana ‘down-syndrome-contract-negotiato’ white finalizes their fight, both the ICE MAN and the AXE MURDERER will be dead for over 30 years. Someone please send Dana the book "How to draw up MMA fight contracts for DUMMIES’ cause he certainly cant do it on his own.
by Joe Mccracken on Jul 8, 2007 3:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Liddell is gonna KO Silva before the end of the second round,mark my words,dosent matter where they fight.
Have u even ever seen Silva fight?
by dbarnes on Aug 17, 2007 2:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What are supposed to do, wait for the monthly annoucements on spike or ppv? I cant beleive dana called me a knucklehead. Its not like a put on my harry potter shirt and play warcraft all night. Not cool dana, not cool at all
hey i didnt know you had my shirt!
by Harry Potter on Feb 5, 2008 12:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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