Mixed Martial Arts fans on social media believe that UFC president and CEO Dana White may have admitted to illegally streaming sports during a press conference.
Since taking over as UFC president in 2001, White has been outspoken on his anger towards pirating live sports, threatening IPTV users with lawsuits.
In August, Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Group Holdings, owners of the UFC, confirmed that piracy numbers have increased recently, explaining White's frustrations
Advert
Despite this, fans think that the UFC boss may have admitted to illegally streaming while speaking in a recent press conference.
-
Speaking after week 10 of Dana White's Contender Series, White spoke about the recent Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event which took place over the weekend in Marbella.
He said: "I moved my schedule around that morning so I could watch it.
Advert
"I won't tell you how I watched it, but I watched it."
In order to watch the BKFC event, viewers were required to purchase a membership with the streaming platform DAZN.
But some fans are convinced that White's comments regarding how he had watched the fights suggests that he watched the event through an illegal stream.
Reacting to the clip on social media, one frustrated fan wrote: "The hypocrisy of wanting to end piracy but he does the same thing."
Advert
Another agreed, adding: "Do as I say not as I do."
While another fan pointed out: "So he can't complain when we do the same thing."
And one suggested: "If he knows how useful they are he should change the PPV model, make it a fairly priced yearly subscription."
Advert
Just last month, speaking after another Contender Series event, White spoke out against people who illegally streamed UFC events, issuing a stark warning to any fans attempting to do so.
"Trust we know exactly how to combat piracy, I will tell you extensively what we do after every event, but we go after piracy hard and you saw a few years ago we started prosecuting people," said White.
"That’s how you combat piracy. Start f***ing prosecuting people for stealing.”
With the recent announcement that the next two numbered UFC events, headlined by stars like Max Holloway and Jon Jones, will be sold as pay-per-views in the UK, British MMA fans will no doubt be interested to hear White's strong opinions on streaming may have changed.
Topics: UFC, Dana White, IPTV
Ben McCrum