Thread: Is Dana White bad for the UFC? interesting read.

by Michael David Smith

Imagine if, in October of 1993, Michael Jordan had said he was retiring from the NBA not just because he had nothing left to prove in basketball, but because he was sick of the lack of respect that Commissioner David Stern had shown him. And then imagine if Stern had responded by saying Jordan was retiring because of his "scumbag agent," whom Stern claimed he had "bitch slapped."

If that had happened, there would have been a whole lot of people saying it was time for Stern to go. Sports leagues are big businesses. The heads of big businesses aren't supposed to drive valued employees away, and they're supposed to conduct themselves with some decorum.

But that's exactly what has happened in the UFC this week. Its best and most popular fighter, Randy Couture, has retired, and he cited his belief that UFC President Dana White takes advantage of him. White responded by calling Couture's agent a "scumbag" and saying he had "bitch-slapped" him.

White has been great for UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. In fact, the sport of mixed martial arts literally might not even exist in the United States if it weren't for White, who saved it when legislators were calling it "human cockfighting" and threatening to make it illegal. But just as the kid who launches an internet start-up out of his parents' basement eventually needs to bring in an MBA if he really wants to turn it into a legitimate business, the sport of mixed martial arts might now need to push White aside.


That's not to say UFC can push White aside, because in many respects White is UFC. I guess it's technically possible that the Fertitta brothers, the co-owners of UFC, could force White out, but that's not going to happen.

But maybe another mixed martial arts organization needs to hire a commissioner in the David Stern / Roger Goodell mode, someone who's a businessman and a marketer, someone who understands how the head of a sports league needs to conduct himself. Someone who can attract the best mixed martial arts talent, pay the fighters a fair wage while still running a profitable enterprise, and not infuriate the talent.

Randy Couture is the best thing going in the sport of mixed martial arts, a guy who's smart, articulate, great at what he does and doing something absolutely extraordinary, stepping into the Octagon at the age of 44 and beating guys who are 20 years younger than him. If Dana White has driven Couture out of the sport, then Dana White is bad for the sport.

Yahoo.com

I don't know what to think to be honest. I actually think Dana White is THE reason why the UFC in particular and MMA in general has garnered such a worldwide following over the last 5 years.

He's been monumental in turning their fortunes around.

As for Randy leaving I'm disappointed but at the end of the day he's 44 years old and only a fight or two away from retirement anyhow.

So the UFC didn't land Fedor? Ultimately big deal, they've got virtually every single other fighter who matters in the sport fighting for them now if Fedor doesn't sign ultimately it's only him that will miss out.

As far as MMA fans are concerned it doesn't really matter. It sounds like we will get to see Fedor and Randy fight regardless, after which Couture will probably retire win or lose anyhow.

After that what will Fedor do then?

The UFC is going to go from strength to strength regardless of Fedor imo.

Originally Posted by Bilbo

I don't know what to think to be honest. I actually think Dana White is THE reason why the UFC in particular and MMA in general has garnered such a worldwide following over the last 5 years.

He's been monumental in turning their fortunes around.

As for Randy leaving I'm disappointed but at the end of the day he's 44 years old and only a fight or two away from retirement anyhow.

So the UFC didn't land Fedor? Ultimately big deal, they've got virtually every single other fighter who matters in the sport fighting for them now if Fedor doesn't sign ultimately it's only him that will miss out.

As far as MMA fans are concerned it doesn't really matter. It sounds like we will get to see Fedor and Randy fight regardless, after which Couture will probably retire win or lose anyhow.

After that what will Fedor do then?

The UFC is going to go from strength to strength regardless of Fedor imo.

LOL,did you read the article?

"White has been great for UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. In fact, the sport of mixed martial arts literally might not even exist in the United States if it weren't for White, who saved it when legislators were calling it "human cockfighting" and threatening to make it illegal. But just as the kid who launches an internet start-up out of his parents' basement eventually needs to bring in an MBA if he really wants to turn it into a legitimate business, the sport of mixed martial arts might now need to push White aside."

That sums Dana's role up perfectly.

As for Randy's age,well old or not,he is still the face of the UFC. Even if he did retire,had he been with them,they probably would have made him do non stop promos etc.

You could be right about Fedor but the fact is that Fedor v Couture is a match big enough to launch an entire organisation. And there are plenty of fighters who could be signed. If this M1 could do cross over fights,they could stll get fights with Barnett etc

Well,the UFC HW division doesn't look so good without Fedor to me. And now Randy too,that's 2 of the top 3/4 HW's in the world. So I think the UFC has lost out just as much as Fedor might. And Couture is such a dam fan favourite,known and loved by hardcore and casual alike,that he could help the M1 organisation immensly.

Originally Posted by El Gamo

Originally Posted by Bilbo

I don't know what to think to be honest. I actually think Dana White is THE reason why the UFC in particular and MMA in general has garnered such a worldwide following over the last 5 years.

He's been monumental in turning their fortunes around.

As for Randy leaving I'm disappointed but at the end of the day he's 44 years old and only a fight or two away from retirement anyhow.

So the UFC didn't land Fedor? Ultimately big deal, they've got virtually every single other fighter who matters in the sport fighting for them now if Fedor doesn't sign ultimately it's only him that will miss out.

As far as MMA fans are concerned it doesn't really matter. It sounds like we will get to see Fedor and Randy fight regardless, after which Couture will probably retire win or lose anyhow.

After that what will Fedor do then?

The UFC is going to go from strength to strength regardless of Fedor imo.

LOL,did you read the article?

"White has been great for UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. In fact, the sport of mixed martial arts literally might not even exist in the United States if it weren't for White, who saved it when legislators were calling it "human cockfighting" and threatening to make it illegal. But just as the kid who launches an internet start-up out of his parents' basement eventually needs to bring in an MBA if he really wants to turn it into a legitimate business, the sport of mixed martial arts might now need to push White aside."

That sums Dana's role up perfectly.

As for Randy's age,well old or not,he is still the face of the UFC. Even if he did retire,had he been with them,they probably would have made him do non stop promos etc.

You could be right about Fedor but the fact is that Fedor v Couture is a match big enough to launch an entire organisation. And there are plenty of fighters who could be signed. If this M1 could do cross over fights,they could stll get fights with Barnett etc

Well,the UFC HW division doesn't look so good without Fedor to me. And now Randy too,that's 2 of the top 3/4 HW's in the world. So I think the UFC has lost out just as much as Fedor might. And Couture is such a dam fan favourite,known and loved by hardcore and casual alike,that he could help the M1 organisation immensly.

Randy is only 8 months younger than Evander with even more losses so I really don't see him as the future of the heavyweight division past 2007 regardless of any bout with Fedor.

It's just a blip, the world of MMA is moving so fast right now that the hottest star one week is all washed up and done a month later.

We've already seen Cro Cop's career implode and Chuck Liddel seems to be on the way out now as well. Couture has one maybe two fights left then he's gone anyway so what have the UFC really lost?

They didn't get Fedor, at least not yet but with almost every single other big name under their banner what do they really care?

Originally Posted by Bilbo

Originally Posted by El Gamo

Originally Posted by Bilbo

I don't know what to think to be honest. I actually think Dana White is THE reason why the UFC in particular and MMA in general has garnered such a worldwide following over the last 5 years.

He's been monumental in turning their fortunes around.

As for Randy leaving I'm disappointed but at the end of the day he's 44 years old and only a fight or two away from retirement anyhow.

So the UFC didn't land Fedor? Ultimately big deal, they've got virtually every single other fighter who matters in the sport fighting for them now if Fedor doesn't sign ultimately it's only him that will miss out.

As far as MMA fans are concerned it doesn't really matter. It sounds like we will get to see Fedor and Randy fight regardless, after which Couture will probably retire win or lose anyhow.

After that what will Fedor do then?

The UFC is going to go from strength to strength regardless of Fedor imo.

LOL,did you read the article?

"White has been great for UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. In fact, the sport of mixed martial arts literally might not even exist in the United States if it weren't for White, who saved it when legislators were calling it "human cockfighting" and threatening to make it illegal. But just as the kid who launches an internet start-up out of his parents' basement eventually needs to bring in an MBA if he really wants to turn it into a legitimate business, the sport of mixed martial arts might now need to push White aside."

That sums Dana's role up perfectly.

As for Randy's age,well old or not,he is still the face of the UFC. Even if he did retire,had he been with them,they probably would have made him do non stop promos etc.

You could be right about Fedor but the fact is that Fedor v Couture is a match big enough to launch an entire organisation. And there are plenty of fighters who could be signed. If this M1 could do cross over fights,they could stll get fights with Barnett etc

Well,the UFC HW division doesn't look so good without Fedor to me. And now Randy too,that's 2 of the top 3/4 HW's in the world. So I think the UFC has lost out just as much as Fedor might. And Couture is such a dam fan favourite,known and loved by hardcore and casual alike,that he could help the M1 organisation immensly.

Randy is only 8 months younger than Evander with even more losses so I really don't see him as the future of the heavyweight division past 2007 regardless of any bout with Fedor.

It's just a blip, the world of MMA is moving so fast right now that the hottest star one week is all washed up and done a month later.

We've already seen Cro Cop's career implode and Chuck Liddel seems to be on the way out now as well. Couture has one maybe two fights left then he's gone anyway so what have the UFC really lost?

They didn't get Fedor, at least not yet but with almost every single other big name under their banner what do they really care?

You're still undermining Couture waaaaay too much. MMA may be moving fast but there are still few recognisable stars,and arguably none as big as Couture. Why do you think they are re-signing Ortiz? Because of his pulling power and the fact that they did not want him to fight for another organisation.

And Chuck is the prefect example. He has lost his last 3 yet is still the face and one of the main men of MMA. There's no denying that whatsoever.

And I'm pretty sure Randy has been counted out before. My point is,Randy v Fedor would be the biggest fight ever and losing them both is a huge loss to the UFC. Their HW division looks NOWHERE near as good without those.

They care because like I've said,Randy v Fedor is the biggest fight in MMA history,would generate HUGE $$$! Come on man,you're being silly,of course they would care!!

when a person becomes too greedy ..he becomes a liabilty...whether in business or life in general.

Originally Posted by El Gamo

Originally Posted by Bilbo

Originally Posted by El Gamo

Originally Posted by Bilbo

I don't know what to think to be honest. I actually think Dana White is THE reason why the UFC in particular and MMA in general has garnered such a worldwide following over the last 5 years.

He's been monumental in turning their fortunes around.

As for Randy leaving I'm disappointed but at the end of the day he's 44 years old and only a fight or two away from retirement anyhow.

So the UFC didn't land Fedor? Ultimately big deal, they've got virtually every single other fighter who matters in the sport fighting for them now if Fedor doesn't sign ultimately it's only him that will miss out.

As far as MMA fans are concerned it doesn't really matter. It sounds like we will get to see Fedor and Randy fight regardless, after which Couture will probably retire win or lose anyhow.

After that what will Fedor do then?

The UFC is going to go from strength to strength regardless of Fedor imo.

LOL,did you read the article?

"White has been great for UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts. In fact, the sport of mixed martial arts literally might not even exist in the United States if it weren't for White, who saved it when legislators were calling it "human cockfighting" and threatening to make it illegal. But just as the kid who launches an internet start-up out of his parents' basement eventually needs to bring in an MBA if he really wants to turn it into a legitimate business, the sport of mixed martial arts might now need to push White aside."

That sums Dana's role up perfectly.

As for Randy's age,well old or not,he is still the face of the UFC. Even if he did retire,had he been with them,they probably would have made him do non stop promos etc.

You could be right about Fedor but the fact is that Fedor v Couture is a match big enough to launch an entire organisation. And there are plenty of fighters who could be signed. If this M1 could do cross over fights,they could stll get fights with Barnett etc

Well,the UFC HW division doesn't look so good without Fedor to me. And now Randy too,that's 2 of the top 3/4 HW's in the world. So I think the UFC has lost out just as much as Fedor might. And Couture is such a dam fan favourite,known and loved by hardcore and casual alike,that he could help the M1 organisation immensly.

Randy is only 8 months younger than Evander with even more losses so I really don't see him as the future of the heavyweight division past 2007 regardless of any bout with Fedor.

It's just a blip, the world of MMA is moving so fast right now that the hottest star one week is all washed up and done a month later.

We've already seen Cro Cop's career implode and Chuck Liddel seems to be on the way out now as well. Couture has one maybe two fights left then he's gone anyway so what have the UFC really lost?

They didn't get Fedor, at least not yet but with almost every single other big name under their banner what do they really care?

You're still undermining Couture waaaaay too much. MMA may be moving fast but there are still few recognisable stars,and arguably none as big as Couture. Why do you think they are re-signing Ortiz? Because of his pulling power and the fact that they did not want him to fight for another organisation.

And Chuck is the prefect example. He has lost his last 3 yet is still the face and one of the main men of MMA. There's no denying that whatsoever.

And I'm pretty sure Randy has been counted out before. My point is,Randy v Fedor would be the biggest fight ever and losing them both is a huge loss to the UFC. Their HW division looks NOWHERE near as good without those.

They care because like I've said,Randy v Fedor is the biggest fight in MMA history,would generate HUGE $$$! Come on man,you're being silly,of course they would care!!

I'm not saying they are going to be happy about it but come on it's one fighter. This thread is about whether Dana White should be forced to step down and that's just silly. He basically saved a sinking ship and turned them into not only the premier MMA organistion but into a commercial machine capable of pulling in more dollars in PPV sales than boxing. That's an incredible acheivement.

Yes Randy is/was great and it's a loss but that doesn't mean White should go. He's signed every other fighter worth anything in the sport, so one fighter got away its not the end of the world.

At the end of the day over the longeterm it's simply going to be impossible for the UFC to control all the top fighters. MMA is huge business now and organisations are springing up left right and centre.

Eventually it will go the way of boxing I guess with the organisations all merging or at least cooperating with each other and all fighting, so the UFC and ELite XC will become the WBC and WBA of the MMA world.

It's inevitable, the UFC cannot maintain control of the sport for ever no matter who is at the helm, it's simply not possible.

In the meantime there's nobody better in my view to promote and grow the UFC better than Dana White.