Dana White has told the MMA media to leave a UFC legend alone after his interview previewing Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane went viral for all the wrong reasons.
Aspinall vs. Gane headlines Saturday's stacked UFC 321 from Abu Dhabi, UAE.
The Brit makes the first defence of his UFC heavyweight title since being elevated to full champion, having held the interim strap.
It will be his first Octagon appearance since his 60-second drubbing of Curtis Blaydes at UFC 304 in July 2024.
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Gane himself has also been out of action, having not fought this year.
UFC icon Tito Ortiz believes it will be a 'big hindrance' that Aspinall and Gane have been inactive.
But Ortiz, who held the UFC light-heavyweight title at the peak of his powers, is backing Aspinall to beat Gane, predicting a third-round submission victory.
Ortiz, however, delivered his assessment in an incoherent manner and confused people on social media, including White, who left a comment on reporter Helen Yee's social media post.
Asked for his prediction, the ex-UFC champion said: "Aspinall by submission. I say, Aspinall by submission by the third round. How do you pronounce his last name? Seryogine? Ciryl Gane? Is that correct? Gane's the last name? Thank you. Thank you for correcting me... The Russians, they've been driving me nuts with some of their names."
Ortiz continued by name-dropping former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland but called him 'Tony Strickland'.
The 50-year-old added: "I really think he hasn't fought in a long time, and that's gonna be a big hindrance to him. And Aspinall hasn't fought in two years himself, too? Gotta be in the cage all the time, you know?
"You fight two or three times a year, that's what makes you a seasoned fighter.
"That's why Tony Strickland has done so well because he's always sparring. He's always in the cage."
After his interview dropped, White quickly reacted as he urged the MMA media to 'leave' Ortiz alone.
He wrote: "Total set up. Everyone realises now if i can get Tito on camera it’s MONEY. Why would she be interviewing Tito? Leave Tito alone. No more public speaking!!!"
Strickland added: "After this video maybe we should all spar less."
Ortiz enjoyed a glittering MMA career and was the original poster boy of the UFC at the early stages of the promotion.
He won the UFC light-heavyweight title and beat the likes of Wanderlei Silva, Ken Shamrock and Forest Griffin.
'The Huntington Beach Bad Boy' also had an epic rivalry with fellow great Chuck Liddell.
They fought three times during their careers, with Liddell winning two of the three fights.
Topics: UFC, Dana White
Nasir Jabbar