It’s fight week hype week, UFC President Dana White made an appearance on FOX Sports Live to chat with Charissa Thompson about UFC 167’s scintillating scuffles, the company’s most momentous milestone on its 20th anniversary, and to lightly touch on a potpourri of problems like Jon Jones fighting football players and Nick Diaz’s pseudo-retirement.
The main story is the main event as Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks challenges UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. White mentions St-Pierre has been seen focusing a lot on his striking because of Hendricks’ knockout power, but believes Hendricks’ famed 2x NCAA Division I National Champion wrestling credentials will play a much larger role in the title bout. As for the rumors of the current champ’s retirement, White says, “I think he’s got plenty of time left; it just depends on how much longer he wants to do this.”
As for UFC 167’s other high profile welterweight bout featuring a well-rounded Canadian versus a heavy-handed American, the UFC Prez insists if Rory MacDonald beats Robbie Lawler and if St-Pierre is still champ then those two teammates should fight. “You cannot be the man unless you beat the man,” tells White quoting “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
On the topic of greatest moment in company history, White offers, “If I had to pick one thing that was our greatest accomplishment or my biggest moment - it would have to be the FOX deal.”
Lastly, 9x NBA All-star Gary “The Glove” Payton made steal 2,446 by asking White for free tickets for Saturday’s fights. Absolutely shameless.
