Dana White is "100% UFC," has nothing to do with "D-Level Strikeforce Production"
Posted on March 5, 2012, 12:44 PM by Joey Santosus
After hinting that he would soon be taking an increased role in the production of Strikeforce, it appears UFC President Dana White has had a change of heart.
In fact, White says he wants nothing to do with the number-two promotion in the world.
During this past weekend's Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey event, a displeased fan questioned White about the quality of commentating during the broadcast, insisting that the UFC President "needs to fix this asap."
In response, White made his his interest in the feedback very clear - he had none. "Tell Showtime, they run that sh-t, not me," insisted White. "I'm out. I'm 100% UFC."
His motivation for the stern remarks apparently stems from a meeting with the newest Showtime boss, Stephen Espinoza, who White recently met with in Las Vegas to discuss changes in the Strikeforce production. After nearly missing the UFC on FX 2 card in order to attend the Tate vs. Rousey event, White received word from UFC executive Pete Dropick that Showtime had decided none of the suggested changes would be implemented in the broadcast.
"These guys are letting a D-level producer run their organization, and that's exactly what I told Espinoza," White told MMAJunkie.com. "You want to let a D-level producer run your organization? Go for it brother. Knock yourself out. I've got [expletive] to do. I've got another job."
Currently set to run on Showtime through 2012, the long-term future of Strikeforce remains unclear. And while this isn't the first time the organization's fate has been called into question, with it's co-owner, White, once again bumping heads with the network it calls home, it's hard to imagine the ZUFFA-Showtime relationship extending beyond their present agreement.
Further Reading: Strikeforce Heavyweight Tournament Final Date Set
Photo: Scott Hirano
Comments
Sour Grapes?
Come on Dana, put the douche a side and admit that was an awesome show for once in your business life.
The fights were awesome. That's it. Dana is right. I was thinking WWE in between fights. Also, and I know a lot like him, but renallo is horrible. So is Shamrock but he use to fight so I give him a pass. Mr Patato head has to go.
I think we have to know what stuff Dana had suggested changing. There were some things good, but there were some things that could have been done better. I still think having Kaufman/Davis for the number 1 contender of the title being fought for in the main event on the prelims was stupid. They would never do that in UFC... or with mens MMA.
the main event was the only good fight on the main card. Not good it was a great fight actually.
Thomson humped Noons leg for the most part.
Jacare fought some dude, he looked good I guess, but against that quality opponent I expected more from him, but I guess he wanted the cage time.
Daley looked sad.
Scott Smith came in fat (unfortunately I didnt see him weigh in, would have changed my pick) and he looked like he gave up before even walking down the ramp
....and fox is doing such an amazing job bringing us UFCviaNFL format
MUCH BETTER THEN THAT SORRY SF CARD
Did you want the NFL mug or baseball cap?
Showtime has been doing this for years and that is what you get
that sucks but FOX has been doing this for months and already do better
plus as they get a feel of the the fans and how the sport is I have huge faith compared to Showtime the fights were ok but the production sucks but as for FOX they will end up having some sort of theme music and so fourth by this summer and will have its own identity soon
SF goes from one fight to the next very quickly and has sick entrances so for me thats A-level production. Commentary on the other hand is a whole different story but it cant get much worst than cyborg goldie
Im glad your around Griffin, otherwise its quite like a parallel universe.
What pissed me off was the fact that they had the Kaufman/Davis fight on the prelims instead of the main card and Souza vs a last minute replacement on the main card. I found that insulting to WMMA like they felt they couldn't have 2 on one show. Especially since one of them was pretty much a number 1 contender match for the title being fought for in the main event. It would have helped to sell the Kaufman/Rousey match up better down the line if they places some sort of importance on the number 1 contender too.
Agreed. Seeing how the women fights were better than the mens. IMO.
It's not the fights, but the cheesy, minor league pro wrestling vibe of the show that Dana is unhappy with. And it is cheesy. For instance, why do they announce the fighter before their walkout music? It totally lessens the impact of the song they pick and feels anti-climactic. The light show/smoke machine aspect is corny too. If you're gonna go theatrical, you gotta get PRIDE with that $hit. But there is no way that Showtime is gonna spring for a PRIDE sized production budget, so they half ass it with the mickey-mouse icecapdes crap. This is about putting on a good show, the package that presents the fights. The UFC has a great model. It's low frills but big on impact. Drop lights, blast the music, fighter walks out, fans go nuts, repeat. And then when both guys are in the ring, introduce them. Even the ring girls are kinda lame in Strike Force. The UFC has a 3 (or 4 now?) girls that do every fight. Marketing genius right there. We all know their names, their faces, their asses, everything. They are a brand unto themselves. Slap em on a magazine cover and that rag sells out. I'm no marketing genius mind you, but even I can see that the UFC knows how to put on a show and market its product. The Showtime shmucks would do well to take Mr. Whites advice.
Why all the hate on Renallo IMO he is 100x better then rogan or goldberg and he was the voice of pride way more nostalgic
Better than Rogan HELL NO. Better than Goldberg HELL YES!!! Can't stand him i have to put it mute alot lately. He's like that lame uncle everyone has that try to be cool.
My DBZ pic is better btw lol
He just needs to lose the silly hat, wear a beenie and quit saying things like" winning via armbar" no one say "via" as well as other things he says.
its a pitty these comments where supposed to be off the record and were made in private to a reportwer from MMA Junkie who wrote a story about em anyway, I think Strikeforce will be fine on Showtime though
Synyster.....you are spot on....the Goldberg-rogan duo has gotten old - Pat Millitich and Stephen Quatros bring twice the in-depth analysis and try to let you know what's going on with the fighters furing the fight instead of just screaming "OH!!!" every time something happens......Dana needs to bring them, as well as Mauro, over ASAP!!!