Dana White’s recent appearance on Fuel TV to explain the UFC 151 cancellation gave some perspective on his comments toward Jon Jones. Without truly admitting fault, he indicated that he was not mad at Jones and attributed some level of fault toward Henderson.
In his interview with Ariel Helwani, a toned down White stated that he had “no regrets” with how the UFC 151 press conference was handled. He said that there was nothing he would take back from his comments at the press conference.
Give Helwani some credit in this interview. Although one might argue he’s feeding pre-planned questions to White, he does illicit the information about whether Henderson was to blame for the cancellation of UFC 151. It appears that the blame shifts to Henderson but White does stand by his comments about Jones not stepping up to take a fight.
Payout Perspective:
White’s interview takes on the form of a non-apology apology. While he does not take back anything said at the press conference, he does appear to step back from his initial comments and comes out to address the fact that Henderson is also at fault for not letting him know that he may not be able to fight September 1.
I am interested as to why this interview did not take place earlier with White. Maybe it was White’s travel schedule, maybe White needed perspective, but it would seem that White would want to get out in front of his press conference to explain his comments toward Jones. Aside from helping the ratings for UFC Tonight on Fuel, White’s interview was a way to (calmly) explain his side of the story to fans. While most of us get the new from the internet, White made it known his thought process behind the cancellation and the Machida booking.
What are we to make of White’s “no regrets” with the handling of UFC 151. While we understand his brand of administration of the UFC, the strong words he had for Jones and Jackson seemed harsh. What about the UFC’s press release sent out shortly after the press conference entitled, “UFC 151 Cancelled, Champ Refuses New Opponent”? Also, and maybe as bad, was the press conference announcement that Lyoto Machida would face Jones when it was never confirmed that Machida would accept the fight. From the UFC perspective, the lack of a contingency plan was surprising. Basically, the UFC believed that two fighters wouldn’t turn down fights, but it happened and the fallout had to embarrass the UFC. For an organization that prided itself on having its fighters step in when called upon, the UFC faced two fighters that declined fights in less than two days.
The cancellation of UFC 151 could have been handled with more care. While White admits no wrong in voicing his displeasure with Jon Jones and Greg Jackson he did say Jackson was a “sport killer”. White had every right to voice his disappointment that Jones was not taking another fight, but he should have indicated the same to Henderson for not at least putting him notice about his injury so that White could have planned a contingency.
BrainSmasher says
These are two different issues. Hendo was to blame at first. No one can deny he messed up. At that point 151 was on him. BUt at the same time Jones is expected to take the fight and Dana was right. It was unheard of to not fight. Once that happened Jones became responsible for 151.
Its like you accidently bump someone and they fall into a pool and they cant swing and neither can you. I can swim but i refuse to save them and let them drown. Who killed them? Legally maybe both of us. But technically I am responsible. You put them in a bad situation. BUt i am directly responsible for them dying. They are dead because of me.
UFC 151 was in a bad situation becuase of Henderson. BUt there have been many events in the same kind of trouble before. BUt Jon Jones is the direct reason the event didnt happen. UFC events run into trouble now and there but the UFC always counts on its fighters to step up and it has never been an issue. This time the UFC found someone to step up and that was the hard part. Who wants to fight the champ who was training like a mad man while you sit on your butt? Not many but they found someone. Yet out of the blue it was the well trained champ who refuses to fight. Thats is something you cant plan for and the UFC never expected. Thats why i blame 100% of 151 on Jones. I dont think Jones would have fought a new opponent even with 3 weeks notice. So it would have given the UFC time to replace it with a crap fight and push jones to another event.
Sampson Simpson says
Dana? Is that you?
Always the apologize for that dumb, loud-mouthed bald bastard.
BrainSmasher says
hahaha “Waaaa!! Whaaaa!!!” Its ok little baby. I know your mad because Dana put you in the “cheese line”.
Dana has the balls to say what you would be thinking but dont have the sack to say.
Ron says
That didn’t make much sense to me. I have nothing at all to do with an altercation, someone falls into the pool but I am responsible for them dying?? Thats retarded. How can they PROVE I can swim?
Sampson Simpson says
Dana is a clown who is captaining the sinking ship.
Ratings down, sponsors not happy with the product, it’ll all be over soon.
BrainSmasher says
It was a hypothetical senario. In this senario both are facts and easy to prove. But this hasn’t nothing to do with my point.
Crackmastervansnap says
What if someone tripped me, and I stumbled into that person who then fell into a pool? Who’s fault would it be then? And what if the pool was actually a pond? Would the fish be responsible? And what if you could sort of doggie paddle, but not really swim like a human can swim? But you still drowned. And let’s not forget Michael Phelps. If he wasn’t so stoned all the time he could have probably saved everyone. I blame Michael Phelps.
BrainSmasher says
Nope! It would still be Jon Jones fault! lol