UFC
As Cheick Kongo fires back at recent criticism, Dana White comments "you're either a fighter or you're not"
Nov 19, 2012 - 5:10:02 PM As Cheick Kongo fires back at recent criticism, Dana White comments "you're either a fighter or you're not"

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

There's a battle brewing between fighters and UFC officials, and it's one that's going to continue gaining steam over the next several years. As the UFC gets bigger, as their roster spots become more valuable, many fighters are being a lot more cautious and selective over the fights they take and when, and it's a point of contention with UFC President Dana White.

His most recent target was Cheick Kongo, who turned down a short notice bout with Roy Nelson next month at The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale. White criticized Kongo for turning down his second offered fight in a row, criticism to which Kongo fired back on Twitter.

"I did NOT REFUSE to FIGHT Roy Nelson," Kongo wrote. "I REFUSED to TAKE A FIGHT on SHORT NOTICE . Which is NOT THE SAME AT ALL."

That wasn't enough for White, who commented on the situation once again after UFC 154 on Saturday night in Montreal.

"[Kongo] turned down the fight whether it was on short notice or whatever. It's the second fight he's turned down in a row," White said (via MMAWeekly.com). "It's a lot more normal with guys who are worried about losing. Guys who are in a position where if they lose, you know what I mean? You're either fighters or you're not. If you win you win, if you lose, back to the drawing board."

"That’s the business you're in. When you turn down a fight, you turn down a fight, and that's two in a row [for Kongo]. I don't know who he's waiting for."

Penick's Analysis: A lot of fighters aren't playing along with the "do whatever the UFC asks" mantra anymore, and White's not entirely sure how to handle that. On the one hand, it's reasonable for fighters to not take short notice fights if they don't feel it's in their best interest. On another, White's not necessarily wrong about saying a fight's a fight. Wanting to be prepared for a fight is fine, but stepping up when the UFC needs help can lead to positives with the organization. Of course, they send mixed messages at times on that front, and if you're on a losing streak and risking your spot on the roster, taking a fight like that is not typically the right move. White's going to battle this more and more as the years go on and more fighters continue to hold themselves ahead of the company.