Dana White admits he ‘hates everything’ UFC fighter says as he acknowledges major live TV mistake
UFC president Dana White has admitted that he is dreading the prospect of Josh Hokit becoming heavyweight champion.
White was speaking at the post-UFC 331 press conference in Los Angeles on September 19 when he made the claims about Hokit, explaining that the controversial American heavyweight will take on Ciryl Gane for the undisputed heavyweight crown after Tom Aspinall vacated his title due to issues with an eye injury.
Gane and Hokit will face off at UFC 334 in New York on November 14. The latter, who boasts a perfect record of 10-0, is a hugely controversial figure and made a disparaging comment about former First Lady Michelle Obama after his victory over Derrick Lewis on the UFC Freedom 250 card.
Even White, who is not one to mince his words, revealed that he, too, was dismayed by Hokit’s remarks on the White House card, describing them as “gross and inappropriate”.
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Dana White gives honest take on Josh Hokit
After announcing the UFC 334 main event over the weekend, White said: “I got a lot of thoughts on that.
“Yeah, lots and lots. I’m sure they’re the same thoughts that you’re all having. I doubt we’re that different. Yeah.”
He added: “I don’t have to like you for you to thrive here and you to do well and be successful. Many people that I do not like have done very well here. I’m not saying that I don’t like Josh Hokit. I literally don’t f—ing like anything Josh Hokit says.
“And that’s nothing going to change unless he changes, which I don’t see happening. I’m going to have to deal with that. That’s a me issue.”
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Dana White forced to address major blunder
Meanwhile, White also confessed to making a major error during the live broadcast on Saturday.
When asked by Diana Belbita whether Gane had been upgraded from interim to undisputed champion, White said: “No. He’s still got to fight.”
But UFC commentator Joe Rogan later clarified the situation, telling Daniel Cormier that White had “messed up” his words.
“Yes, and Cyril Gane is now currently the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion of the world, Dane White mispoke at a press conference and said he didn’t,” Rogan said.
Cormier added: “When the boss is talking, you gotta talk to him on the right side, right, you gotta talk to him on the right side, he had some sort of an ear disease. If you’re not talking to him on the right side, he might misunderstand the question.”
At the post-event press conference, a reporter asked White: “You announced that Cyril Gane was not promoted as the new heavyweight champion undisputed, but today, Joe Rogan, during the show, announced that there was a misunderstanding and that Cyril Gane is actually the new champion. The new undisputed champion,” to which he replied: “True.”
“What has changed in the last 24 hours?” White was then asked.
He clarified: “Nothing, I f----- up.”
Topics: UFC, Dana White, MMA
Luke Davies