Dana White: The UFC's Biggest Problem?

[FoxInStocks]

From Sherdog.com's article on the formation of M-1 Global, and Fedor's decision to sign with them:


Signing the most sought-after free agent in MMA history has immediately made him, and the newly formed M-1 Global, a name fight fans will know. The key to the deal, of course, is Emelianenko, whom many hoped would resurface in the Octagon.

But to hear the Russian describe it, that deal was doomed from the word "crazy."

"It was not a pleasant thing to hear," said Emelianenko (26-1-0, 1 NC), responding to UFC president Dana White's drumbeat against the fighter's "crazy Russian" management.

"You cannot start a relationship with someone using those phrases."

So, at what point does Zuffa come down on Dana White and say, "Watch your stupid mouth and act like a professional, not a thug,"?

He loses Fedor because he basically insulted his management, and White has recently been quoted as saying he "##### slapped" Randy Coture's agent, and that the agent is why Coture jumped ship. I actually kind of like White, but he needs to save his trash-talk for TUF and try to act like a real businessman when he's dealing with the media and other businessmen.

[Inbetweener]

I think you're right. Dana White all too frequently seems to enter Don King territory...one of the things I hear a lot about from MMA fans (UFC fans in particular) is how much greater MMA is as a sport than Boxing. I completely disagree on that from a competetive standpoint but Boxing has evolved into a poorly managed product run by goons more than anything else (I personally like the sport of both about the same)...it's a shame but I laugh when I hear that the UFC is better run....perhaps now it is, but with guys like White in charge it is inevitable that it devolve into a business driven model only and it will do so far quicker than even Boxing did. Maybe someday someone like Couture will come back and run the show for us....I understand what White has done but his role is a double edged sword. With great marketing you get some other less flattering variables I suppose.

[Metal]

The best thing for Dana White to do is sit in on the sidelines and take care of the business end of UFC and leave the PR to someone a little less offensive.
No doubt he has done an excellent job of selling the marketability of UFC but he has also made several enemies that would have otherwise been a great asset to UFC. (Matt Lindland and Fedor being the major ones)

[MrFurious87]

I agree that Dana should be on the sidelines when it comes to signing fighters, when I read about this on Yahoo! Sports I was really disapointed in Dana. I like him, but I really like watching Fedor fight, now if Dana fought then he could screw things up for awesome fighters, because I would love to see him fight as well. Dana White vs. Tito Ortiz round 2!

[docpound]

I don't agree that company has ridden with Dana he's brought it up to where it needs to be, if he thinks someones management is out of line they probably are. However I can't think of a time when Dana didnt' shell out money to his fighters it might not be exactly million dollar fights for each fighter but they get the most exposure on PPV. Most of the fighters have learned to make money from sponsers rather than fight purse. With the horrible track record other fighters have had making the transition into the octogon I think that is where Fedor's problem lies. Not within some silly off beat comment that Dana did or didn't say. He's good for the UFC right now losing Tito is the only real thing you can blame him for and that's just personallities mixing wrong.

[dopeyj]

Dana White is the reason the UFC is on at all. The reason why there is TUF and the reason why it is sanctioned in most states. Dana might have a big mouth, but if he didn't the fighters and agents would run him outta there. Not to mention he owns 10% of the UFC. If the numbers go down, he will change his tune. He's about the money and great fights. The UFC laid all the ground work for all the new companies. He made them a plan and they still can't follow it. How terrible was Shaw and Elite this sat night? Imagine if shaw was running the UFC.

[dopeyj]

Dana White is the reason the UFC is on at all. The reason why there is TUF and the reason why it is sanctioned in most states. Dana might have a big mouth, but if he didn't the fighters and agents would run him outta there. Not to mention he owns 10% of the UFC. If the numbers go down, he will change his tune. He's about the money and great fights. The UFC laid all the ground work for all the new companies. He made them a plan and they still can't follow it. How terrible was Shaw and Elite this sat night? Imagine if shaw was running the UFC.

[docpound]

This biggest problem right now is the fact that they are charging honest folks for carp they already bought the Prelims should be Free I don't care if it takes 9 hours to show the whole thing pride did it and so can the UFC! now lets stop telling fans to go to the website and drop 10 bucks a fight that's stupid they already paid for the event let them see it. Yeah I'm a bit mad about this now.