Bella Mir’s DWCS Upset Sparks Five UFC Contracts
In Week 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series at Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Bella Mir delivered the biggest upset in DWCS history as all five winners earned UFC contracts.
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White respects Paul’s Joshua fight but won’t promote him
Dana White said he was impressed Jake Paul actually fought Anthony Joshua, calling it a 'ballsy move,' but he has no interest in promoting or signing Paul; Joshua KO’d Paul in the sixth round, breaking his jaw, while MVP announced a merger with the PFL.
Hearn accuses White of promoting Fury-Joshua without rights, White fires back
Promoters Eddie Hearn and Dana White are at odds over who will promote the Fury–Joshua heavyweight fight, with Hearn alleging White is promoting the bout without rights and threatening to sue, while White dismisses the claims. Hearn says the fight is signed but contract terms and a potential American venue— possibly New York—are being negotiated, and White has offered few specifics or commitments in response.
Garry's mid-fight hugs ignite debate over killer instinct at UFC 330
Ian Garry repeatedly hugged Islam Makhachev across breaks during UFC 330, drawing confusion from Makhachev and sharp criticism from Kenny Florian who called the behavior irritating; Dana White accused Garry of lacking killer instinct, saying a finish would have changed the outcome. Makhachev won by unanimous decision after five rounds, turning the bout into a discussion about fight mentality and psychology.
Dana White says Garry’s killer instinct was missing in UFC 330 showdown
UFC president Dana White criticized Ian Garry for not pushing the finish in UFC 330 against Islam Makhachev, saying the night looked set for an upset but Garry’s reluctance—especially in the fifth round—cost him. Makhachev won by unanimous decision, extending his win streak to 17 (a UFC record) and moving to 29-1; Garry fell to 17-2. White later said he wished he could replay the final round, while Makhachev framed it as war, not a game.
Tsarukyan Emerges from Dana White’s Doghouse Ahead of UFC 331 Return
Arman Tsarukyan has been officially out of Dana White’s doghouse and is set to return as the UFC 331 co‑main event opponent of Mauricio Ruffy in Los Angeles. White confirmed at the pre‑fight press conference that Tsarukyan’s status has improved after a long stretch marked by injuries, weight‑cut drama and tense relations with UFC, with a win potentially moving him back into title contention by 2027 (though a Topuria/Pimblett double‑header on the same night isn’t planned).
Garry Set to Prove Upset Potential as Dana White Praises Underdog Durability
Dana White says Ian Garry is being overlooked as he prepares for his first title shot against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330, after Garry defeated Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad; Makhachev arrives with a 16-fight win streak and the welterweight title, while Garry's only UFC loss came to Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Dana White Breaks Up Heated UFC 331 Press Conference Between Van and Pantoja
At UFC 331’s pre-fight press conference, reigning flyweight champion Joshua Van and former titleholder Alexandre Pantoja traded trash talk; Pantoja even rose from his chair and moved toward Van before UFC CEO Dana White stepped in to prevent an altercation. Van then taunted Pantoja with his belt as they eyed their Sept. 19 rematch in Los Angeles, with fiery staredowns highlighting the build to the fight.
Dana White Won’t Crown Makhachev GOAT Until After UFC 330 Showdown
Dana White says he won’t label Islam Makhachev the GOAT until after UFC 330, where Makhachev defends his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry. White notes Makhachev’s current line of achievements—potentially breaking Silva’s record for consecutive wins and leaving a strong track record in title defenses—but wants to see the upcoming performance before making any all-time declarations.
MVP-PFL Merger Aims to Challenge UFC, Yet Brown Warns It’s a Distant Second
The PFL is merging with Jake Paul–backed MVP to form a combat-sports conglomerate aiming to challenge the UFC, but UFC's massive reach and branding make it unlikely to topple the king. Veteran fighter Matt Brown says the rivalry will remain a distant No. 2 and advises MVP to carve its own lane—like BKFC—rather than engage in a costly head-to-head battle.
White Plays It Cool as MVP-PFL Merger Looms: UFC Still in a Different Stratosphere
UFC president Dana White dismissed the announced MVP-PFL merger as non-threatening, saying UFC isn’t competing with those promotions and operates in a vastly different stratosphere. The deal would rebrand PFL as MVP MMA with plans reportedly set for January, but White joked that the merged company would still struggle to attract tickets and viewers.
Dana White expresses hope for Anthony Smith after arrest
UFC president Dana White said he doesn’t have details on Anthony Smith’s arrest in Nebraska on three felony charges but hopes for the best for him and his family, remarks made while White was in Belgrade ahead of a UFC event. Smith, a former light‑heavyweight title challenger who returned to competition earlier this year and has worked as a UFC commentator, remains part of ongoing discussions about fighter care that White says the UFC provides behind closed doors.
White weighs in as Anthony Smith faces felony charges
UFC chief Dana White commented on Anthony Smith's arrest in Nebraska, calling the allegations surprising and noting that 'it can happen to anybody.' Smith, a former UFC title challenger, faces three felonies—first-degree domestic assault, terroristic threats, and first-degree false imprisonment—after an alleged bar-side incident with his wife, including threats, forcing her into a vehicle, and attempts to strike her with the car. He was released on a $500,000 bond, ordered to stay away from his wife, and has a court date set for Aug. 17; Smith has not publicly spoken about the case.
McGregor’s Return Timeline Seen Slipping to 2027, Says White
Dana White says Conor McGregor is out for a year following his UFC 329 knee injury and isn’t expected to fight until at least summer 2027, despite McGregor’s optimism and a video suggesting training progress.
McGregor to Sit Out a Year as White Confirms Update After UFC 329 Injury
Dana White announced that Conor McGregor will be out for about a year due to a torn ACL suffered in the opening exchange of his UFC 329 rematch with Max Holloway; the update came as McGregor FaceTimed into Zuffa Boxing in New York to speak with White, who reiterated that McGregor won’t return to the UFC until next year, with the fighter recuperating in California and doing rehab.