Dana White on Jon Jones and more weight classes
Dana White was interviewed by The TSN MMA Show. White talked about Jon Jones and his most recent USADA drug test failure and the prospect of added weight classes in the UFC.
On Jon Jones.
“[It would be the biggest waste of talent] ever. Ever, in all of sports. The guy is so talented and gifted, God knows what he’d be doing right now if he had never got in trouble. He could possibly be the heavyweight champion and have the defense record that couldn’t be broken. The list goes on and on of what could’ve been with Jon Jones.
“Whatever happens [with his suspension], happens. Believe me, I’m not mentally or emotionally invested in that anymore.”
On adding new weight classes.
“People are like, ‘Add weight classes, do this, do that. It’s never going to change. You’re still going to have people trying to – let’s say I add a 165-pound weight class. That will only mean bigger guys will try to make 165. Everybody’s always looking for an advantage.
“There’s ways to cut weight,” White said. “There’s safe ways. There’s scientific ways. Nutritionists can help you do this. Everybody just wants to take shortcuts and the easy way. But there is no easy way when you’re cutting weight.”
Kenny Florian on Jose Aldo
Kenny Florian talked about what to expect from Jose Aldo after his loss to Max Holloway on the Anik and Florian podcast.
“That’s the big question for me because although he was winning the majority of that fight against Max Holloway, early on especially, as the fight went on it seemed like it was the Jose Aldo that kind of loses interest in the fight. It seemed like maybe he was a little bit bored or didn’t want to work as hard as he normally does during the fight. He didn’t have that same kind of pep in his step and Holloway just took it to him, kept pressuring him backwards and Holloway just broke him mentally and then took him out with skill. It was a beautiful thing to watch.
“For Aldo, this is an interesting fight to see, are you still motivated to fight? Are you still out there to win and put out your best performance? Especially against a guy he already beat, we’re gonna find out pretty quickly what Jose Aldo is all about and if he truly wants to get back to the top of this division.”
Roxanne Modafferi on this season’s Ultimate Fighter
Roxanne Modafferi spoke at a media breakfast. She talked about the lack of current women signed to the UFC not trying out for this season’s Ultimate Fighter. She also touched on the difference between this season’s coaches, Eddie Alvarez and Justin Gaethje compared to TUF 18’s Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate.
“I’m actually not surprised (more women didn’t try out), because it’s really hard. Having done this twice, if you’re already signed to the UFC, great. Then you get a number of fights, then you can fight for the belt, as opposed to taking a chance. I mean, of course you do want a title shot, and this is kinda like a — not a speed course, but you get a faster opportunity.
“(But) if I were already signed, I might not have done it again. But I really wanted the opportunity to fight for the UFC again, so there was no question in my mind. I had to do it.
“It was so nice to not have the coaches fight each other, or bickering at each other. Honestly, it was way less stressful for us. I was actually kinda worried that maybe it wouldn’t be as popular on TV because of that, because I know people like drama in that way. They were very competitive, Justin and (Eddie), but still they weren’t as heated as the former coaches, my former coaches, so that was really nice.
“I think the way [TUF 26] was put together was the same, just the cast was different and that made a big difference. I feel like I made friends with everybody on the season, and I wasn’t constantly injured on this season like I was on my past season. That didn’t really get any coverage. But yeah, I liked this season better.”
MMA Notebook
According to Paulie Malignaggi discussions are underway for a fight against Conor McGregor.
Ian McCall will compete in Rizin’s Bantamweight Grand Prix on December 29.
Gary Tonon signed with ONE Championship.
Combate Americas partners with Telemundo for Copa Combates bantamweight tournament.
Fight Announcements
Warlley Alves vs. Salim Touahri (replaces Jim Wallhead) is set for UFC Fight Night 118
Aljamain Sterling vs. Rani Yahya is set for UFC Fight Night 123
Michelle Waterson vs. Tecia Torres is set for UFC 218
Niko Price vs. Vicente Luque (replaces Luan Chagas) is set for UFC Fight Night 119
Damien Brown vs. Frank Camacho is set for UFC Fight Night 121
Alex Caceres vs. Wang Guan is set for UFC Fight Night 122
Zak Ottow vs. Li Jingliang is set for UFC Fight Night 122
Robert Watley vs. Daryl Wilson is set for LFA 27
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS NEWS: Frankie Edgar on extreme weight cutting, Punk back training, Mackenzie Dern discusses her latest win, Roger Gracie retires from MMA
Leave a Reply