Dana White Sez: The EliteXC Fix Hurts Us, Too

by mythbuster on Oct 9, 2008 9:44 AM EDT Comment 36 comments

Fronted by Luke Thomas.

In an interview with The Boston Herald, Dana spells out his disgust with the recent allegations of fight fixing by EliteXC, and how it affects Dana and the UFC:

"It put a nail in my coffin, too," White said. "When dirty people go out and do stuff like that, it hurts. Promoters have a bad rap as it is because of the last 100 years of boxing. We actually started to turn that around and were doing the right things and then you have these guys coming out and doing (expletive) like that. It hurts us."

“It disgusts me,” White said. “I’ve been busting my (expletive) for 10 years flying all over the planet to show everybody what a great sport this is and what amazing people are involved in it. Then CBS throws this guy who fights at people’s barbecues on the main event because they’re trying to compete with us, and he gets knocked out in (14) seconds by a guy who didn’t win ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ and couldn’t fight in the UFC. Then the guy turns around the next day and says, ‘The promoters actually paid me to not go to the ground with this guy. They paid me to stand up,’ which I’m pretty sure is illegal.”

Regarding EliteXC, Shaw and Kimbo, Dana says:

"(Slice is) a joke," White said. "It was bound to happen. These guys have lost $60 million trying to get this thing off the ground. They’re building their promotion around a guy who can’t fight. It’s kind of (expletive) stupid, isn’t it? You’re in the fight business and you’re building your business around a guy who can’t fight."

Frankly, whether the story is true or if Seth was just rambling in a bumbly stumbly hangover, the story is getting legs. I've seen it in the LA Times website and Boston Herald, and probably others. It doesn't seem to be staying in the blogosphere.

Photo via solostudio.net

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

Am I the only guy who actaully likes Dana?

I mean, its not like I wanna do him or something, but the dude always keeps things interesting.

by Slica on Oct 9, 2008 1:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's probably pretty well known around here by now..

..but I like Dana too.

by Blackout612 on Oct 9, 2008 1:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like...

Dana to an extent. But at the same time I think it would be an absolute PR disaster for any other company on earth for their president to call people “retards” when he was questioning their behavior. I like Dana’s business sense, but I can’t stand his inability to speak like a businessman.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 9, 2008 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He speaks his mind...

Even though it doesn’t sound great, it rings true. Which is better than the more “professional” guys from EliteXC who speaks, but nothing of consequence comes through, and you’d need a lie detector to get the truth out of them.

White will never be a politician, but that’s his charm. Being “professional” just means you’re a very good liar.

by cyph on Oct 9, 2008 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being "professional" just means you’re a very good liar.

Wow…that’s so untrue it’s sad. Not calling people “retards” and dropping f-bombs at pressers is professional but has nothing to do with lying.

I’m a White fan…I just think there are times where he comes off poorly considering his position and lends critics of the sport ammo that this can’t be as legitimate as other sports due to having people in charge who don’t carry themselves professionally.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 9, 2008 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with both of you, but I would rather Dana drop a few F-bombs then try to be something he is not. Maybe he could use some tact, but I like it. Then again I curse a lot so maybe I am not one to say. I think Lorenzo Fertita adds that so now you have the best of both world.

by szucconi on Oct 9, 2008 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It’s not a blanket statement to all professionals…

But you’re telling me that those two running for presidents are speaking the truth?

Are you telling me that Lappen from EliteXC, Skala, Shaw are speaking the truth? They are all much more professional than White.

by cyph on Oct 9, 2008 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And I’m not defending Dana’s professionalism. All I’m saying is that, no matter how crude, he speaks the truth. Nothing in what was quoted is untrue.

In contrast to the “professionals” that you hold in high regards, they tend to tell lies with smile on their face.

I prefer the “truth” no matter how crude versus mere “truthiness.” That’s all I’m saying.

by cyph on Oct 9, 2008 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well that's fair...

I thought you meant anyone acting professionally is lying. Because in my day job I am extremely professional…but I don’t lie (much) on a day to day basis….

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

by Brent Brookhouse on Oct 9, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll also cop to marking out for Dana

I even like that he drops F-bombs all the time—talks like a real guy.

"It's like a flying knuckle sandwich.--Rogan
"And many men have eaten it." -- Goldy

by thetakeover on Oct 9, 2008 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

By contrast

I don’t like him, but I’d totally be down for making out with him.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Oct 9, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BLAF is dreamy!

by asa on Oct 9, 2008 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

O_O

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 9, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hallelujah!

We have a bald again poster.

Seriously, I cant see it. Maybe its cause im a straight dude, but I just dont see it…

by Slica on Oct 9, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I’m not interested in having SEX with the man. Just a little make-out session, some indiscreet photography, and an eensy bit of blackmail. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Oct 9, 2008 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're not alone Slica

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Dana’s on MMA’s Mount Rushmore like Paul Tagliabue is on football’s.

by subo on Oct 9, 2008 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Until I decapitate the latter's for Super Bowl 40... > : (

by Slica on Oct 10, 2008 1:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

^^ this

There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt.

by misterjonez on Oct 10, 2008 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dana is the man, yet I agree with brent in that Dana could be more professional at times.

http://mma4real.net/

by Tha Realness on Oct 9, 2008 8:52 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know

I think his ‘professionalism’ (or lack thereof) is fine. The one thing I really dislike about him is his vindictiveness, or ability to hold a grudge. If he doesn’t like someone personally, they better be amazingly charismatic to the fans or they’ll never see the cage.

by mythbuster on Oct 9, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dana does overshoot his mouth sometimes,

but at least he does not bullshit us too much

by dnevil001 on Oct 9, 2008 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently, Dana is no saint either

There have been rumors, albeit unfounded, that Dana switched his promo game to MMA because of too many shady dealings as a boxing promoter. There is a feeling amongst some fighters that they would trust Don King before they would trust Dana white. I find that to be extremely interesting and I definitely would not be suprised if that was true. I will continue to seek out more details…I still like him better than ass-clown $kala…

by Kel on Oct 9, 2008 9:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“They’re building their promotion around a guy who can’t fight. It’s kind of (expletive) stupid, isn’t it?”

Yes, yes it is. Preach Dana Preach! I’m a Dana fan and I actually like the way he talks and really couldn’t give a rats ass what anyone thinks about it. Bottom line is he gets the job done and is great at it.

by xFenixKnightx on Oct 9, 2008 10:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would work for Dana in a second. I would rather have a boss with drive and ambition than either of those empty suits at EXC.

by Ubernoober on Oct 9, 2008 11:39 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no problems with Dana.

As many have said already, he speaks the truth. He wears his heart on his sleeve and it’s sort of refreshing to see a guy in his position act that way. Unprofessional for sure, but I’m sort of sick of suits, even if I myself am one, haha.

by pud333 on Oct 9, 2008 12:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dana can be a complete ass sometimes.. and I’ve heard him say some outlandish things that I do not agree with. This is not one of those times. I totally agree with him. Kimbo SLice would get his ass handed to him by a number of UFC fighters. This does look bad on the whole sport as boxing has ruined any kind of legitimate fighting.

by www.thesportsdump.com on Oct 9, 2008 12:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The best thing that Dana brings to his job is clearly his passion for the sport. You might not like the way he runs the company or the statements he makes, but you can’t question his love of MMA.

For example: Anderson Silva is clearly one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. And he’s one of the least money-making champions around. Doesn’t speak English well, doesn’t talk trash to hype fights, doesn’t have some charming folksy background story. And yet if you want to find Dana White at any given time, he’s busily hugging Silva’s nuts.

Can you imagine EliteXC even making the kind of matches the UFC does? How happy would they be to have three of their 5 champs speak English as a second language? Hell, they made Bigfoot the heavyweight champ on the Showtime-only undercard!

Dana’s a foul-mouthed jackass much of the time, but you just can’t question his dedication to the sport.

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ. -- TangleBones

by jemaleddin on Oct 9, 2008 1:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

The best thing that Dana brings to his job is clearly his passion for the sport. You might not like the way he runs the company or the statements he makes, but you can’t question his love of MMA.

Absolutely. Every weigh-in or pre-fight presser, his face is like a little kid who was allowed free run of a candy store. It’s like he sneaked in there and can’t believe that no one kicked him out yet.

by mythbuster on Oct 9, 2008 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Perspective

The LATimes didn’t consider this worthy of putting in the print edition; in Boston, the Herald is considered roughly about a half-step ahead of a supermarket coupon flyer in terms of prestige; and no one listens to Jim Rome. By this time next week, the story will be dead everywhere except Fight Opinion, who will still be railing about this and the Japanese mafia in 2048.

by andherewego on Oct 9, 2008 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

So you’d rather attack the source rather than discuss the merits of the story.

Are you secretly Karl Rove?

by mythbuster on Oct 9, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry

I meant sourceS <- plural.

“oh my god, the economy is collapsing.”
“The person who said that has freckles.. I man really, freckles!”.

by mythbuster on Oct 9, 2008 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ummm, no. I’m pointing out that this post was presented as “StandGate sweeps into the mainstream” when there are actually only a few peripheral voices kinda sorta making note of it.

I’m not Karl Rove, but given your inability to grasp the obvious I’ll assume you’re John McCain.

by andherewego on Oct 9, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HI

When you graduate the fourth grade, come back and finish reading.

Ok, I’m assuming you’re here two years later. So I will continue. The imaginary points that you are now pretending that you were arguing against… they don’t exist man, hate to tell you. Find the word “mainstream” in my article. When you’re done doing that, read where I said “the story is getting legs”. Ok, if you were able to finish doing that, ask yourself, "Why did I come here and decide to post a ridiculous message attacking a two newspapers to make.. absolutely no point.

Oh, and I eagerly, and sarcastically, await your butthurtedly pointless reply.

Freckles, I tell ya!

by mythbuster on Oct 9, 2008 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude's absolutely right

You can tell he loved – LOVED – boxing. And now he hates it. And he blames multiple promotions greedily protecting fighters from fights they might lose.

Him and Joe Silva never protect fighters. And if you think they do, ask Brock Lesnar, who would’ve fought Tank Abbott, Shammy and some can if he signed with EXC instead of Frank Mir, Heath Herring and (now) Randy Couture.

I hope what happened to boxing does not happen to MMA, and I trust Dana when he says it won’t under his watch.

by subo on Oct 9, 2008 3:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Questionable but True

Dana may have used a poor choice of words, or maybe not, but his point is valid. Any controversy surrounding an MMA organization can impact the entire sport. MMA is just beginning to shed its backyard, dirty ballroom reputation. Any allegations concerning fixed or tampered fights are dangerous to the progress made in the last few years. If guilty, EliteXC didn’t just ruin their rep, but the MMA community’s…at least in the eyes of casual followers (the dedicated fans will know the difference).

by tsmojo on Oct 10, 2008 2:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Think Hard….if the Seth guy was paid to do something (or not to do something) Don’t you think that they offered Ken the same thing? Being that he hates anything other than winning, I am sure that he turned it down, or at the very least wanted far more than they were willing to give him, when they could just give this Seth guy, or anyone from the undercard a smaller amount of money……

THEY WANTED KEN TO THROW THE FIGHT!!!!!!

by kungfuvanity on Oct 23, 2008 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs