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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
UFC President Dana White drew the ire of some during a recent interview with the Calgary Sun, going on a tangent about the sport of soccer, which he called the "least talented sport in the world."
Well, as you might believe, those who play soccer weren't very happy with those statements, and at least one decided to do something about it. Former Major League Soccer player Jimmy Conrad decided to release a video open letter to White, challenging him to a friendly game of soccer between the two.
"Why would a tough guy like you feel so threatened by soccer that you needed to go off on it unprovoked?" Conrad asked in the video (transcribed by MMAMania.com. "Is it maybe because you know the one thing any three-year-old can do is fight? Hell, mine spent a whole year fighting me. But that shouldn't threaten you. I'm pretty you could hype a fight between two three-year-olds and make it the biggest thing since the 'Thrilla' in Manilla.' But you wouldn't do that, would you? Because you know that three-year-olds don't understand the techniques, or tactics, or subtleties of your sport. Well, same goes for ours....
"Here's what I'm going to do. Because I like you, I'm going to give you the opportunity to join me and a few friends for a game of soccer. Since you believe playing soccer requires no talent, I'm sure you'll be the star. Unless you're scared."
Well, the video got White's attention, and he responded on Twitter, accepting the challenge. When and where hasn't been determined, but White's at least willing to have himself proven wrong.
Penick's Analysis: White's comments about soccer were unwarranted and not even part of what he was being questioned on, and he deserved to be called out for it. That said, good on White for taking on this friendly challenge. He's likely to find out that his take on the sport is very wrong, and it will be entertaining to see him show just how much talent is needed to score a goal in an oversized net.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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