UFC CEO Dana White’s low view of boxing entertainment
In his efforts to win the hearts of the managers of Sphere so as to host an event there in September, UFC CEO Dana White seemed to forget himself while talking about boxing entertainment. His view was not a pretty one.
The incident took place during a post-event news conference. Dana White sounded really angry and lofty as he alleged that boxing companies should not be allowed to host any events at the Sphere before the UFC, since such events would not give what the people wanted. He even claimed that boxing companies have neither the money to host the events nor to make them as memorable as they needed to be.
While talking at the DWCS 66 post-event conference, the CEO pointed out that the Sphere was a great place and should give only ‘incredible experiences’.
‘These boxing guys are calling them up going, ‘Oh, we want to do a fight over there.’ Those f*cking guys. They’re not going to spend the money to put a f*cking show on there. Those guys can’t even do f*cking replays for Christ’s sake,’ began CEO Dana White.
‘They think they’re going to f*cking put on an event at the Sphere? The Sphere is a whole other level and basically, in my opinion, I don’t run the Sphere and it’s not my company, but it’s so good that for the first at least year, they should do nothing but incredible experiences.’
Then he went on to boast about what he planned to do if given the chance by the Sphere.
‘I will put on the greatest live combat sports event anybody has ever seen at the Sphere in September for Mexican Independence Day. I f*cking guarantee it.
‘I’m so in on this it’s not even funny. If the Sphere is smart, they don’t let anybody go in there until we go in there to do a live event. The first live transmission from there should be us, and that’s why I’m saying September.
‘Obviously because I want it for Independence Day, but it’ll take that long for us to really work this thing out and figure it out. Plus, you know I will spend the money to make it right.
‘Boxing is going to f*ck around with them on the tickets. They don’t have the money to do it. None of those bums got the money to do it. I’ll do it.’
Many think the CEO has a low view of boxing. Boxing continues to pay athletes more than the UFC does. Does this mean that the UFC uses their fighters to make money but does not care about their wellbeing?
UFC superstars have been speaking out about their pay and healthcare.