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After the UFC 149 post-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White met with members of various media outlets to field a variety of questions. Still very clearly steamed about some of the officiating which took place at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Dana spoke at great lengths about the level of officiating in combat sports nowadays.
White also discusses Hector Lombard’s UFC debut, his current relationship with Former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and the potential future of Anderson Silva.
Notes from the scum:
- White says Lombard should fight welterweight. Blasts top-10 rankings of fighters outside the UFC.
- Dana says if he had to make the choice right now, Chris Weidman would face Anderson Silva
- “Cheick Kongo fought scared.” His next fight will be someone he can’t throw one punch and clinch against.
- He has no ill-will toward “Rampage” Jackson but says he needs to decide whether he loves or hate the UFC because he changes his mind too often. “If he decides he doesn’t want to fight for us anymore, we’re not going to hold him back.”
- Rampage asked to be cut, Dana begged “we’ve honored your contract so far, honor yours and finish it.” Rampage took a step back and agreed.
- Dana speaks out on officiating: “It needs to get fixed… it’s like the kick to body tonight (Matt Riddle vs Chris Clements) it was clearly a kick to the body and Rosenthal stopped the action thinking it was to the groin… What if Riddle lost when he could have finished there? … I am pissed at Yves Lavigne tonight. You should let two guys (Cheick Kongo and Shawn Jordan) stand there and clinch for 15 minutes. … Mazzagatti still works. Enough said, the fact that a commission lets him ref is beyond my comprehension.”
- Mark Ratner selects referees and judges for international UFC events, Dana has never been involved in the process.
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Haha it was a funny interview. That was definitely the most odd event in a while imo. In one breath he said that Weidman would fight spider if there was a fight in The next 2 months but then in the next he said that they he could put Bisbing or someone else in if “they were very impressive” in their next fight. I figured they’d have trepidation about putting Weidman in, but I hope they do. That dude is READY. imo.
Weidman has earned it. He just doesnt have the star power yet. Bisping dont deserve it, thats for sure.
Right and the UFC wouldn’t go against their integrity and pass up Weidman in place of earning more money with a less deserving fight, or just for the sake of a fight…OF COURSE NOT ;)
But you do bring up a great point, and I guarantee the UFC would rather Bisbing look great, and leverage the star power of Bisbing against spider, meanwhile letting Weidman beat one more big name on a big stage and then give him the title fight. Glad we could figure that out, good talk. Haha
P.s. I’d LOVE to see Belfort vs Sonnen. And in regards to the above named scenario then Weidman would fight Boestch or Belcher for next contender. ( Hopefully Boestch cuz I think.Weidman beats him, and that way Belcher can fight whoever and get next shot cuz I.am being selfish and don’t want Weidman do knock Belcher down the.ladder cuz.I.think.he can.beat him too ;))
Weidman has looked very good, but alan belcher is much better off his back than munoz and a better overall figther. I think belcher poses a real threat to any of the guys you mentioned, silva included. Odds are either Stann or Bisping gets injured in training and weidman gets thrown in on short notice.
You don’t have so preach to me about Belcher, I love that dude. He absolutely has the talent, no pun intended, but normally experiences some kind of bad luck. I think that he could beat Bisbing or Stann and even spider. I just happen to think Weidman is a once in a generation type prodigy that we are lucky enough to experience. And sooner or later, he’ll be the next champ.
Good call on the injury replacement for the Bisbing/Stann fight, Belcher deserves a fight with the significance given to that one, more than the two fighters Jon it.
Belcher’s manager has called out Vitor on twitter and belcher is asking his fans to tweet dana/lorenzo that they want to see this fight. He seemed to indicate that it could be in Brazil. So I would say that is a fight with the same significance of bisping/stann. Also timing wise assuming there is no 10 second knock out weidman could be the only guy ready to fight spider. Of course anderson said he wants to fight the strikeforce guy–rockhold, which is an easier fight than weidman.
@Mikemac
Easier? No.
@Lex415
You make a great point, very succinct.
Does anyone know the requirements to become an MMA judge or referee? I know there are certain seminars that will aid people in the process, but I am pretty sure such events aren’t required of them. Is it really as simple as passing a written test for a license? Someone please enlighten me lol.
yea what the f… someone enlighten me too???????????????????
Heard Belcher v Belfort is official for 153. Personally I think Rockhold is a stud and would fair well against the elite mw in the UFC.
Good question re UFC referees. The.only requirements I.know.of are having tattoos and a stupid wave thing for when they’re announced lol. In boxing being a referee is almost a way of life, I’d say its one of the one great things they have going. The boxing refs seem so dedicated and frankly great at what they do, treating the sport, and their craft, with a high level of respect. It’s a shame that the same tradition doesn’t exist in MMA, but hopefully it will begin at some point.
P.s. I think my favorite thing about frenzy is the thumbnail used every time Dana is highlighted lol. So awesome.
why in the world would Lombard drop to 170?? he is a huge Middleweight and his gas has been suspect for a long time.. and this is coming from a huge Lombard fan.. Dana is clearly delirious.. i want the drugs he is on
He should drop down because he looks like a midget on steroids at mw. Maybe if he dropped 10 pounds of muscle he could fight guys his own size and stop wearing himself carrying all that muscle around. I think he’s so talented, but I just don’t see him competing with the mw in the UFC, so why not drop down.
I agree with MMA Live comments on Wed Show regarding the huge let down on UFC 149. It truly is OVER Saturation!!!! Faber and Barao should of stayed on 7/7/12 UFC 148. Yes having more PPV’s make money, but if they are like 149 people will tune out.