News
Prediction
Fixtures
Dana White Talks Raquel Pennington’s Title Win, UFC 297, Saudi Arabia Rumors
After the conclusion of the first UFC pay-per-view in 2024, CEO Dana White engaged with the media to share his reactions to the event and discuss various matters within the promotion.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference for UFC 297 on Saturday, White touched on topics such as Movsar Evloev’s victory over Arnold Allen, the rescheduling of the UFC Saudi Arabia date, and the future plans for Raquel Pennington after securing the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight title.
In reference to Raquel Pennington’s triumph, White expressed his long-standing connection with her over the past decade. While highlighting numerous qualities he admires in Pennington, he humorously mentioned his frustration with her tendency not to heed corner advice. Despite this, White acknowledged her remarkable ability to secure victories and congratulated her on becoming a world champion. He emphasized the importance of staying active in the octagon and avoiding clinches, specifically mentioning not getting into clinches with Mayra Bueno Silva. Overall, White conveyed his happiness for Pennington, recognizing her dedication and resilience throughout her lengthy journey in the sport.
Dana White commented on Movsar Evloev’s recent win over Arnold Allen, noting Evloev’s impressive win streak but expressing dissatisfaction with the fight’s lack of excitement. White mentioned that the bout drained the energy from the arena, emphasizing that despite any disappointment Evloev might feel, it’s a situation he must face. White added that the real losers of the fight were the fans who witnessed what he considered the least enjoyable fight ever.
Regarding rumors about the UFC Saudi Arabia event being postponed due to a perceived lack of quality, White dismissed the claims as untrue. He clarified that no fights were officially announced for the Saudi event, and he personally requested a delay to ensure the card’s quality. White emphasized the UFC’s commitment to delivering top-notch events and labeled anyone suggesting the delay was due to a weak card as a liar.
Dana White praised Neil Magny as the ultimate spoiler following his comeback win over Mike Malott. White cautioned against underestimating Magny, highlighting his ability to turn the tide in fights. Despite facing adversity for the majority of the match, Magny staged a comeback to secure the victory.
Regarding Mike Malott’s potential to rebound after his first UFC loss, White expressed confidence in Malott’s ability to bounce back. Acknowledging the significant pressure of fighting in his home country, White emphasized that Malott looked impressive until the final minute of the fight. While the loss was a tough test for Malott, White believes he can learn and grow from the experience, asserting that one defeat doesn’t diminish his potential to become a star in Canada.
