Dana White: ESPN has always hated us and they hate us even more now that we're on FOX
by Geno Mrosko on Aug 20, 2011 2:30 PM EDT
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If you thought the UFC recently entering into a partnership with FOX would make company President Dana White a little more PC, you would be wrong.
The outspoken Octagon overseer is just as profane as ever and he's still not holding back his feelings on whoever draws his ire at any particular moment.
This time it's ESPN. A fan alerted him on his Twitter that the Top 10 plays of the night featured a knockout from boxing but noted that it hardly ever features anything UFC related. Is this true? Not necessarily, but that didn't stop White from unleashing his venom.
"ESPN always hated us and now they hate us more now that we are on FOX. They canceled my (interview) next week for UFC Rio. F*ck ESPN. ... Jim Rome is the only good thing about ESPN."
Sounds like an awfully strong reaction over a cancelled interview and perceived lack of coverage. Perhaps there is more to the story that we don't know? After all, ESPN airs "MMA Live" each week, which features stories revolving mostly around the UFC.
This is even more odd when one considers how much coverage ESPN dedicates to sports that routinely air on FOX networks, such as football, both college and pro, baseball and auto racing. And if White wanted more coverage for the UFC, wouldn't it be a bad idea to make disparaging remarks about "Worldwide Leader in Sports?"
Then again, the UFC has done incredible things with little help from major networks in the past. Now that they have FOX behind them the sky is the limit, with or without ESPN.
Still, does anyone think White is making a mistake saying such things? Or is this typical Dana and everything is simply business as usual?
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that sucks that espn cancelled the interview
I wonder if ABC was ever in the picture and they are pissed now that they are on fox? I hope they still continue to do the mma live show. Big fan.
MMA Live was for people who don't follow the sport
I never learned anything new from that show. It basically just recapped the stories we all read on mania and other sites all week. It was more geared toward casual fan who is jus passing through in my mind.
Didn’t the Fox Sports networks change to Comcast Sports(region). I would think it would be a natural fit to see more MMA coverage on the CSN’s now. Not as big an audience as ESPN but still a national sports network. I would be more concerned with how this would affect the UFC in britain…aren’t they broadcast on ESPN over there?
yeah I was thinking about the espn deal they had in britian and other countries
I hope he didnt f things up over there.
FSNs didn't become CSN
Comcast is now owned by NBC, Fox’s competitor. You will see no FSN programming on any CSN affiliate, which is why I’d like to know what, if any, UFC programming will end up on the FSNs. Because at least 2 of the biggest 25 US TV markets (Baltimore & Washington) don’t have a Fox Sports Net affiliate in their markets so we won’t see it.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
splitting hairs, but Comcast owns NBC Universal, not the other way around.
just thought i’d clarify =)
losers make excuses, winners make it happen...
no no no... MMA Live is news of MMA past n' future, every sport has it.
they had MMA for dummies intially but thats not there anymore, I’m a rabid MMA fan and it’s one of my favorites, I pick up tibits here n there
"Some have wrestled without great skill - none have wrestled without pride."
jim rome is the only thing WRONG with espn.
i hate that guy, cant believe he got his show back…Welllcomb what is upppp. he’s so stupid. hey dana, i doubt espn really gives a shit about ufc. they’re loaded with sec football games coming up.
I see why now the programming over here has gone tits up with ESPN
not a good relationship it appear
Mauro: "Theres a left by Jackson…. or make that Randleman, sorry!"
Rampage: "Thats alright, all black folks look alike."
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Adam__langford
by Rampagelangford on Aug 20, 2011 2:36 PM EDT reply actions
do we have to worry Langford?
Skysports are not truly 100% behind mma
"ever heard of a tune up? tee hee hee hee
"ah hee hee hee ever heard of a ritual killing? tee hee hee hee"
"i dont get it"
"you gnaw on her face in public like that again and you'll be one tee hee hee hee"
I think they'll find something else to put it on if the ESPN deal collapses
itd be terrible if Sky sports got it
Bring back Setanta!
Mauro: "Theres a left by Jackson…. or make that Randleman, sorry!"
Rampage: "Thats alright, all black folks look alike."
Twitter: www.twitter.com/Adam__langford
by Rampagelangford on Aug 20, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
yh Setanta was wicked!
"ever heard of a tune up? tee hee hee hee
"ah hee hee hee ever heard of a ritual killing? tee hee hee hee"
"i dont get it"
"you gnaw on her face in public like that again and you'll be one tee hee hee hee"
That's what I was saying in the other thread
For whatever reason, ESPN doesn’t cover MMA like a sport. They still treat it like a fringe sport, keep it at arms length. They only started having blurbs on their nightly coverage right after big PPV when Brock got involved.
Now that original programming is going to air on one of it’s (if not the) top competitor then look for more BS.
Lately mma live has been starting late, if at all.
Last night boxing went way ovet their time, maybe it’s just where I live.
UFC 134 main card predictions: Silva def Okami by 2nd Rd TKO
Rua def Griffin by 3rd Rd TKO
Schaub def Big Nog by Unanimous Decision
Barboza def Pearson by Decision
Cane def Nedkov by Decision
by MMA Boss on Aug 20, 2011 2:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
nope, mine did too.
i always set my DVR to record an hour instead of 30 minutes and i didnt see any of it last night cuz of the boxing. just deleted it
losers make excuses, winners make it happen...
I think it's been starting late because tennis goes late which pushes Friday Night Fights late and then MMA Live
"It’s Mark Pavelich calling from the Maximum Fighting Championship,
I’ve just received notice that Drew Fickett or you, I don’t care which one of you fuckers did it, has signed a contract to fight in Strikeforce this fucking weekend. I’m going to get on a fucking plane soon and go where you’re at and choke you the fuck out. I’m telling you right now, I’ve had enough of your fucking shit. First of all, I’ve sent you the fucking pictures and secondly, I placed Drew Fickett in a fight fucking months ago and five weeks prior to my main event of my fucking fight card. You’re going to give me a fucking call tomorrow or I swear I’ll get on a fucking plane and go right where you’re at right now. You’re pissing me off, I’ve been nothing but professional to you motherfuckers and you’re doing this kind of bullshit, alright? Call me back, I’m fucking pissed."
by Swedish Chef smerdy herdy verdy on Aug 20, 2011 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, same thing has been happening with me when I dvr it.
UFC 134 main card predictions: Silva def Okami by 2nd Rd TKO
Rua def Griffin by 3rd Rd TKO
Schaub def Big Nog by Unanimous Decision
Barboza def Pearson by Decision
Cane def Nedkov by Decision
by MMA Boss on Aug 20, 2011 5:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
hahahahaa
WINNING
"What are you gonna do, hit him? No, that's a terrible idea, I'll tell you why.. it doesn't unbang your mom. "
by 10thDegreeWhiteBelt on Aug 20, 2011 2:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love ESPN, but Dana is right
They would put 8 routine double plays on their Sportscenter Top 10 before any knockout of the night. Then, when a boxing match ends in a KO (instead of hugs) they put it on the top of the list.
'It is what it is.' = worst saying ever
Who cares that much anywhere
The sport is good where it is. MMA does not need ESPN or vice versa.
Who Was That Masked Man
by The Masked Marauder on Aug 20, 2011 2:59 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Dana White and the UFC cares and thats why he made the comments
they want the ESPN coverage. more coverage leads to more fans. you may like where the sport is but Dana and the UFC want it to be bigger.
by I.AM.miSTAKen on Aug 20, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I know. I dont see how this helps but what do I care. I like mma like this but they will push it until it gets corupt and over priced. In a way I would like it to stay like the wwe: good staying power, loyal fan base and consistent most of the time. Dont want it to be boxing.
Who Was That Masked Man
by The Masked Marauder on Aug 20, 2011 5:43 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
MMA has lived and thrived without ESPN's assistance up until now
and is hardly an indicator as to if MMA will live or die. It’s illogical to deny at this point though. I assume not enough people are going to ESPN demanding MMA coverage.
ESPN is looking out for ESPN. They will not cover FOX-only sports. The sports you mentioned that appear on FOX: football, baseball, auto-racing all appear on ESPN as well. So whether White made these comments or not, I still doubt they’d give much love to the UFC. I do wish White wasn’t so brash though. Basically he speaks for all of MMA, because he is the public face of the main MMA promotion. So when he says something like this, it really just hurts all of us, that are hoping MMA becomes more prominent on ESPN. I cringe when I read his comments that set MMA back.
+1
Thank you thank you thank you
by wooly shambler on Aug 20, 2011 2:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
espn covers sports that air on ESPN
look how their coverage of hockey has changed since hockey went to nbc/versus
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
by milk72 on Aug 20, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Just as their coverage level of NASCAR fluctuates with its role in televising it
Only sport they always carry, whether they have the games or not is the NBA, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why. Does anyone even watch the NBA anymore? NASCAR rain delays were getting higher ratings than playoffs games 5 years ago.
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
NBA airs on abc and tnt
both owned by disney
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
They haven't always held the rights
but even when they didn’t they still covered it. Not so with NHL & NASCAR
"Complacency is your demise." - Kerry King
That's all changed
At least for playoff games. The Miami/Chicago series set the record for NBA ratings on cable.
wtf u arent seriously saying dana just set back mma
After gettin it on fox r u
NICK DIAZ.... champ 2011
by 209stk on Aug 20, 2011 3:04 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
well his comments did just set back mma as far as coverage on espn is concerned
by I.AM.miSTAKen on Aug 20, 2011 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions
its not like they had cover
coverage already so by saying this it means nothing in the growth of mma
NICK DIAZ.... champ 2011
by 209stk on Aug 20, 2011 3:14 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yeah u better not
NICK DIAZ.... champ 2011
by 209stk on Aug 20, 2011 3:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I love it
209 is an amusing mongoloid
by wooly shambler on Aug 20, 2011 5:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
hahaha mongoloid
NICK DIAZ.... champ 2011
by 209stk on Aug 20, 2011 6:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Why do you care if MMA becomes more prominent on ESPN
They feature boxing but don’t have any good boxing analysis on sportscenter. Hell, half of their football, baseball, basketball, and hockey analysts are poor at their jobs. I don’t understand why you would care if they have few minutes of highlights each day that serve to keep passers by informed. Those people may want to see it on sportscenter but you my man, and all of us here, are on an MMA blog…and posting comments. You are far more tapped into what is going on in the MMA world than watching espn will ever get you.
brian kenny
does a great job with boxing, because he loves the sport.
Is he the FNF guy??
During actual events they do a good job, but there is no boxing weekly analysis show that I know of and they barely touch on the stuff during SC. I just don’t see how having a few seconds of MMA highlghts helps very much or would matter to someone who reads blogs like we do. Granted they could get a guy like Miletich or Florian to do some analysis but personally that would add nothing to SC for me. I go to SC for my stick and ball sports info b/c there are lots of out of market games I can’t watch and I want to see the highlights and keep in touch with how the rest of the league stacks up to my team in each individual sport. I don’t think that translates to combat sports on that forum.
Now if there were an ESPNC, where the whole channel was devoted to combat sports aroun the world, I would most certainly check in. I used to watch the Contender Muay Thai after the boxing version got cancelled. Good stuff
an emotionaly charged ill advised rant by dana white?!
Eh, what else is new
Who Was That Masked Man
by The Masked Marauder on Aug 20, 2011 2:56 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
what you see is what you get.
it’s about time that a minimally biased mouthpiece of a big company is alowed to be himself.
Proud owner of dead last place in 2 of 4 money pool events. Bow down, peasants.
by arm.bar.bandit on Aug 20, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
The fact he gets to do it doesnt bother me.
Its kind of nice and in a way has helped push the sport but it will only take him so far. He is playing with the big boys now who arent used to this type of public treatment. We will see how it turns out. I just dont find it to be new or interesting anymore.
Who Was That Masked Man
by The Masked Marauder on Aug 20, 2011 5:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
A fan alerted him on his Twitter that the Top 10 plays of the night featured a knockout from boxing but noted that it hardly ever features anything UFC related. Is this true? Not necessarily, but that didn’t stop White from unleashing his venom.
I can only remember three times mma has been in the top ten plays of the day.
1. Hendo KO’s Bisping
2. Geral Harris slamming Dave Branch
3. Pettis and the Showtime Kick
and maybe when Rampage KO’d Chuck but that’s all I remember. Have I been smoking too much and there are a lot more?
I know the ending of Rashad vs. Tito
was on the Top 10.
"J.R. SMITH! WITH NO REGARD FOR COMMON SENSE!" - Future Kevin Harlan Quote
"They're two-deep at the crazy position!" - Kenny "The Jet" Smith.
by Agaliarept on Aug 20, 2011 3:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Machida crane kick was in top 10
That being said, it was like rank 8 or something and was bested but your run-of-the-mill slam dunks, soccer goals, etc
"ever heard of a tune up? tee hee hee hee
"ah hee hee hee ever heard of a ritual killing? tee hee hee hee"
"i dont get it"
"you gnaw on her face in public like that again and you'll be one tee hee hee hee"
travis brownes superman punch on struve made it
When Life Hands You: High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Maltodextrin Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate, Magnesium Oxide, Calcium Fumarate, Yellow 5, Tocopheral and less than 2% Natural Flavors...... MAKE LEMONADE!
by i hate jake shields on Aug 20, 2011 3:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
this is true though
espn does hate the UFC
"I have smoked weed with alot of UFC champions" - Joe Rogan
"Você ta fudido. Se vai levar muita porrada, ta ligado?" - Anderson Silva
mma live
Mma live has sucked on ESPN. Don’t get me wrong to show is great but they cut it down to 30minutes, the timeslot sucks and it doesn’t even come on in that timeslot boxing always seems to run into its timeslot. Hopefully fox can take to show or its team of Evans, florian,mcneil,and anikine (misspelled his name)
unfortunately that show has always sucked due to florian being involved
by I.AM.miSTAKen on Aug 20, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Florian's ok
I can see the reason to be annoyed by him though. Franklin McNeil and his struggle with the English language really bothers the shit out of me. That guy is fuckin useless, pointless, and brainless.
Here's the deal. I'm the best there is. Plain and simple. I wake up in the morning and I piss excellence.
by KillaKaru on Aug 20, 2011 3:48 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Ya im sure mma live sucking has nothing 2 do w/Franklin McNeil.
No escaping pain
You belong to me
Clinging on to life
By the skin o' my teeth
A BBC reporter once interviewed John Lennon, at the heighjt of Beatlemania
And said to him..“Decca Records, after The Beatles auditioned for them, turned you down flat. They must be kicking themselves now”
To which, John replied….
“Yeah, I hope they kick themselves to DEATH”
And laughed.
I think you're pretty tough....don't I?
Daffy Duck
by Scottidog on Aug 20, 2011 3:12 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
what a fucking clown
http://www.mondaymorningblackbelt.com/
by daniel worby on Aug 20, 2011 3:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
http://www.mondaymorningblackbelt.com/
by daniel worby on Aug 20, 2011 3:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
amen...why dana....why?
Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish. These amateurs...
While I agree that ESPN gives MMA no respect
Dana should stop burning the bridges. Then again, if people who watch ESPN clamor for more MMA coverage, they’ll get it.
'It is what it is.' = worst saying ever
its just so senseless and childish
“The UFC and Espn aren’t seeing things eye to eye currently”, would have sufficed just fine. Why can’t he do this? Why say “Fuck ESPN”?
Just lacks all professionalism.
Imagine the uproar if this situation were reversed.
http://www.mondaymorningblackbelt.com/
by daniel worby on Aug 20, 2011 5:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Worby,
we all know you hate DW, so anything he says or does you won’t like. We get it you don’t like DW.
Facebook is for gays!!
I have to agree with the worbs on this one
DW says he wants the UFC to bigger than the NFL or MLB…do you think Roger Goodell or Bud Selig would ever publicly say fuck you to any network or organization? I appreciate everything DW has done for MMA but the man needs get a little class.
Hell, I can get you a toe by 3 o'clock this afternoon... with nail polish. These amateurs...
But see that's the thing...
MMA is not like any other sport, and I don’t want it to be like any other sport. The UFC needs someone like DW to lead the charge or networks like ESPN would never even talk about it. Selig has just been watching as his sport dies slowly, and Goodell really does nothing for the NFL as the NFL sells it self. ESPN already doesn’t care for it, so why care what they think. UFC has been doing well with out them and will continue to be just fine. I like DW because he’s a fan just like us and will not let others disrespect his sport or company.
Facebook is for gays!!
bingo wasr10
I’ve tried this millions of times. Its useless. These dana white lovers are brainless zombies. I’ve said a ton, I appreciate what he’s done. I truly do. But they don’t read that. They ignore that. They takr the only sensible part which is that any one looking to better a sport and his brand doesn’t speak like this if they need network approval. Its senseless. No matter how its approached. And yet cause its Dana White he gets some unexplainable veto. Makes no sense.
NO commisioner or president of ANY league growing or that’s already huge an established would be caught dead saying this sh*t.
And with good right. Hating or liking a guy has nothing to do with it. Its simply a cop out for ppl with no rebuttal or debating skills.
To each their own.
http://www.mondaymorningblackbelt.com/
by daniel worby on Aug 20, 2011 9:41 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Gdam wut an ass I am!!
I Thot UFC rio was 2day =D. Holy shit now I know I need 2 cut the fuck down. I feel like a bigger ass then Dana white! Only thing bout espn is jim Rome =D. For real Dana?? That’s like saying Gus Jonson was the only Gus thing in strike force ;)
No escaping pain
You belong to me
Clinging on to life
By the skin o' my teeth
*good thing bout strikforce
No escaping pain
You belong to me
Clinging on to life
By the skin o' my teeth
jim rome doesnt know shit about mma or ufck
"I started out with a hundred tapes, if you wasn't down then get the fuck out my face" - South Park Mexican
espn would rather show hot do eating contests than MMA. what a joke. f*** that channel. show the combine and some other boring * **
Gatti. Dekkers. Pele. Aoki. Kang. Vanderlei. Basillio. Harry Greb.
by theworldsoldestsport on Aug 20, 2011 8:01 PM EDT reply actions
and im sure im wiser in the mma world then some bloggers on the website
So what’s your point? Both our statements are speculations.
http://www.mondaymorningblackbelt.com/
by daniel worby on Aug 20, 2011 11:36 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
hmmmm
ESPN has live coverage of every ufc here in the U.K.; does that mean things will be changing ?
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