McGregor, Nurmagomedov to fight Oct 6
White announces McGregor and Nurmagomedov will fight in UFC 229, in Las Vegas on October 6.
I wouldn’t say this is a crossroads fight. This is a very important fight for both fighters. For Khabib, who is undefeated and who is looked at as one of the best fighters in the world, beating Conor is massive for him. And obviously for Conor, coming back from a two-year layoff, in my opinion — and it’s crazy to say this because of how popular he is around the world — but he’s one of the most underrated fighters in the UFC. Everybody thinks because he speaks so well and gets so crazy and everything, it makes him sort of less of a fighter. It’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen…When you talk about pound-for-pound, best in the world? This is a guy who is actually living proof for pound-for-pound. He [McGregor] jumps from weight class to weight class and fights people in different weight classes.
White to meet McGregor in Las Vegas
After he was not able to meet with McGregor in Liverpool, White says the meeting has been rescheduled to Las Vegas, and that he is planning for the Irishman to fight Nurmagomedov. He also says he has not seen McGregor since the incident in Brooklyn and that he is not involved in his legal defence in any way.
Conor and I are going to meet in Las Vegas,. I’m pretty confident [a lightweight title fight] is a fight that Conor wants, and I’m pretty confident that is a fight Khabib wants. So yeah, I could see that happening.
White, McGregor to meet in Liverpool
White says he and McGregor will meet in Liverpool in the coming weekend to discuss the fighter’s future.
We’re going to sit down and talk about his future and what’s next…Obviously, he has to deal with [his legal situation] in June. I’m flying to Liverpool this weekend for a fight there, and he and I are going to meet in Liverpool.
Mayweather vs McGregor All Access Episode 4
Showtime releases the fourth episode of All Access, its behind-the-scenes series about the build up to the McGregor-Mayweather fight. Dana White:
From the first day I met him I knew he’d be a big star. I call him ‘The Unicorn’. He’s very, very smart. His comedic timing is perfect. He’s a very likable guy. There’s no persona with Conor McGregor. He is who he is. I asked his girlfriend one time, ‘Is he like this 24/7?’ and she said, ‘Y’know Dana, sometimes I wake up and he’s shadow boxing in his underwear at three in the morning. That’s who he is.’…If Conor McGregor wins this fight, and he knocks out Floyd Mayweather, it will be the greatest upset in the history of sports. It is literally all anyone will talk about for a year…He has the ability to make you believe.
White announces Ferguson, Lee interim lightweight title fight for UFC 216
White announces Ferguson and Lee will square off for the UFC interim lightweight title at October’s UFC 216 event for October 7 in Las Vegas.
Kahbib’s not ready. It is what it is.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 16, 2017
Dana White posts Malignaggi ‘pushdown’ video
White posts a video of the moment Malignaggi fell to the floor in his sparring session with McGregor. Malignaggi has claimed in interviews that he was pushed down by McGregor.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXrdz9qAL4M/
McGregor-Malignaggi sparring video
White posts a video of McGregor and Malignaggi sparring.
For all the people who think @thenotoriousmma can’t box. This is gonna be a FIGHT!!!! For those that don’t know this is Conor vs Paulie Malignaggi former IBF and WBA World Champion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BXrdc2Ygo-H/
McGregor Game of Thrones parody
McGregor, Mayweather and White appear in a Game Of Thrones-inspired parody video.
Two worlds collide…
🗡️🥊 #MayweatherMcGregor Is Coming… #GameOfThrones pic.twitter.com/i9x2Fh9TVF
— Conor McGregor News (@ConormcGregor5) August 7, 2017
White talks fight to Kimmel
White appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live to talk about the upcoming fight. Kimmel asks if he thinks Conor has a chance at all to beat Floyd Mayweather.
White:
I do…Floyd Mayweather is going to be 41 years old this year. If there’s a kink in that armour, it has been with southpaws. Conor McGregor is a southpaw, and he hits like a truck. He’s got 12 rounds to land that punch…When he hits people they go, and if he hits Floyd, I think he will hurt him, and when he hurts people he puts them away.
Kimmel:
Is this like a cricket team trying to win the World Series?
White:
No, normally, when boxers fight boxers, there’s a system to it. McGregor will be completely unorthodox. It’s what makes this fight so intriguing.
McGregor-Mayweather Face Off audio released
White releases a video that shows what McGregor and Mayweather said to each other during their face-off in LA.
CMG: Look me in the eye. I’m gonna bounce your head off the canvas. One shot is all it takes me. Anywhere on the dome. Anywhere on the dome, son. You can keep your gloves up too. I break the guard. My shots break the guard.
FM: Easy work. Easy work.
CMG: Four rounds and your unconscious….
FM: You ain’t making it out of the first round. Keep talking.
CMG: You ain’t knocked nobody out in over 20 years, motherf-cker. Them hands sore already? Do your hands hurt in the cold. You should get them massaged out. I’m a f-ckin’ animal. If this was a real fight you’d be dead already. If this was a real fight you’d be dead already. 20 seconds and I’d smash you within an inch of your life.
FM: Just show up
CMG: I’m right here. You ain’t gonna do shit.
White: I just noticed his suit says ‘F-ck you’.
McGregor and White meet on runway
The Mac Life releases a video of McGregor and White meeting on the ground outside their private jets after arriving in LA.
CMG: I feel good. I’ve been training hard.
McGregor-Mayweather media tour to stop in London but not Dublin
White says the McGregor-Mayweather world media tour will only make one overseas stop, in London, and that a stop in Dublin will not be on the tour. According to reports, Mayweather wanted neutral locations for the world press tour and did not want to deal with the overwhelming crowd of supporters McGregor would get in his native Ireland.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BV6WO44AHnI/
Dana White answers fan questions on livestream
White appears live on Facebook to answer fan questions. He confirms the date, venue, weight and gloves choice. He says the undercard will be put together by Mayweather’s side.
I think that whenever two guys get in there and start throwing punches, anything is possible. If you talk to Conor McGregor he’ll make you belive he’ll win this fight…Conor will turn around and fight again this year after the Mayweather fight…there will be no MMA on this event this event, only boxing…the weight was not an issue at all with Floyd Mayweather, which I didn’t expect…the press conference will be ridiculous…Mayweather, seriously guys, has not complained about anything, he’s been actually really easy to deal with.
Garbrandt, Dillashaw fight called off
White says that the bantamweight title fight between Garbrandt and Dillashaw has been officially called off, due to a Garbrandt back injury. Dillashaw will be rebooked to a flyweight title fight against 10-time defending champion Demetrious Johnson in August. However, Johnson, has said that he’s not interested in such a fight. A newly announced interim middleweight title fight featuring Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker will serve as the UFC 213 co-main event. The card will be headlined by female bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes, who is defending her title against Valentina Shevchenko. White:
After [Cody’s] last round of treatment in Germany, they told him he’d need four weeks to rest. That would have put him two weeks out from the fight. With Cody out, we’re going to make T.J. versus Mighty Mouse [Johnson]. That’s the plan.
GSP vs Bisping announced for later in 2017
White announces St-Pierre will fight Bisping for the middleweight championship of the world later in 2017. Bisping and St-Pierre will have a press conference on this Friday 3rd March in Las Vegas. White:
He wanted to take some time off from the sport. He’s been talking about coming back for a couple of years now.I personally wasn’t a believer, but he and I got together in Las Vegas. We had dinner and got a deal done…He will fight Michael Bisping for the 185 pound title.
Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov for interim lightweight title confirmed for UFC 209
White announces that Ferguson will fight Nurmagomedov for the interim lightweight title at UFC 209 on March 4. At one point Nurmagomedov vs. Ferguson seemed as if it was off the table, with Nurmagomedov claiming he was moving on from Ferguson who — according to White — was asking for too much money. It’s understood that Ferguson and the promotion came to a middle ground.
Khabib Nurmagomedov vs Tony Ferguson for the interim LW title on March 4 at UFC 209!!! pic.twitter.com/oJwvlDl4eX
— danawhite (@danawhite) January 13, 2017
Secret service rules out UFC 205 attendance
The Secret Service tells Trump they have security concerns with him attending UFC 205. His son, Donald Trump Jr. attends in his place. White:
Having met President Barack Obama on Thursday, and amidst protests at his election, Trump may swerve the engagement. He’s been a friend of mine for 15, 16 years. I’m happy for him.
Laughs at McGregor skit
After the Nevada Commission instructs McGregor to attend a media training sessions for the water bottle incident, Jay & Dan on Fox Sports show a skit to White:
[Laughing] Anybody who thinks Conor McGregor needs media training is crazy.
https://twitter.com/foxsportslive/status/786681362518384640
Video: White tells McGregor to go to hospital
McGregor’s boxing coach releases video of McGregor from inside the SBG changing room, including McGregor’s walk out, his corner discussing the score before the official announcement, and McCarthy having an in-depth discussion with the featherweight champion moments before the fight. When White enters the dressing room after the fight and tells McGregor that ‘he’s gotta go to the hospital,’ McGregor replies:
I’ll have a shower, put on a suit, speak to the media and then I’ll go. I’m honestly grand.
UFC 200 press conference
White introduces the fighters for UFC 200. McGregor is not present. Diaz:
I didn’t ask for that fight, but he asked for it. And if that ain’t gonna happen, I’m going on Vacation…He’s got a lot of catching up to do, so there ain’t no time for this [media] shit. I’ve dodging all this for years, so it’s all good. Let him do his thing, get his training on, and let him fight.
White:
Listen, I just don’t see how that’s fair. These people have come from all over the world. The fights still three months away, that’s why we do it so early so we try not to interfere with their lives. People want Conor to fight, so do the fans, so do the media, everybody..You think I don’t want Conor to fight? Of course I do. It’s not right, you can’t not show up for this stuff. [Reporter: So you’re ruling him out at this point?]. Yeah!
