Dana White on Karo, Gina Carano, Shane McMahon & More
Greg Savage Nov 20, 2009
UFC President Dana White and Cain
Velasquez met with UFC Fight Club members Friday in Las Vegas
and discussed a variety of topics. White said the following:
• Karo Parisyan has been “unforgivably” unprofessional and needs to get his life straightened out before he worries about fighting again. He likes Karo but can’t count on him.
• He was disappointed by Silva-Cote in Chicago and will be back in
that market soon.
• Matt Hughes will be back in early 2010.
• Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans will happen if Evans gets past Thiago Silva in January.
• It’s still too hard to do a women’s division because of the lack of depth and talent. No plans for a women’s season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
• He thinks Toronto will be the biggest MMA event in North American history if they can get it sanctioned in Ontario.
• Roy Nelson is “irritating,” “aggravating” and “says a bunch of dumb things.”
• He had a meeting with Shane McMahon but declined to discuss what was talked about. White said he is a good friend and “you never know.”
• He offered Gina Carano a fight when she was with EliteXC. There was a loophole in her contract that would have allowed her to leave but she declined.
• 10-point must system will “probably” need to be changed.
• The UFC is going to Hawaii for sure, and it will be the company’s first stadium show.
• GSP-Hardy will be in February.
• Referee Steve Mazzagatti is a great person, “couldn’t meet a nicer guy,” but he is just not a good referee. White said he just consistently makes bad decisions.
Velasquez said the following:
• He’s ready to fight for the title whenever the UFC calls.
• Rothwell stoppage was “definitely a little early,” but he felt he would have kept doing the same thing.
• Still working to get more power, knows he needs to improve in that area of his game.
• Would love to fight in Mexico City, especially if it is for the title.
• Used to dealing with bigger opponents from his days wrestling at Arizona State. Heavyweights in collegiate wrestling were all bigger than him, just like MMA.
• He is not deterred by the wrestling credentials of Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.
• When he got cracked by Cheick Kongo, he thought, “What the f--- was that?” Knew he had to take him down at that point.
• He wants to continue working up the ladder in the heavyweight division.
• He has no idea who anyone on TUF is other than Kimbo.
• Dana White gets on him about not watching TUF.
• He does as little as possible when not training.
• Trains seven days a week with three workouts a day and light work on the weekends.
• Predicts Forrest Griffin will beat Tito Ortiz in a “tough fight.”
• Karo Parisyan has been “unforgivably” unprofessional and needs to get his life straightened out before he worries about fighting again. He likes Karo but can’t count on him.
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• Matt Hughes will be back in early 2010.
• He will be talking with Chuck
Liddell after his final dance on “Dancing with the Stars.” He’s
not sure what the future holds for Liddell.
• Quinton Jackson vs. Rashad Evans will happen if Evans gets past Thiago Silva in January.
• It’s still too hard to do a women’s division because of the lack of depth and talent. No plans for a women’s season of “The Ultimate Fighter.”
• He thinks Toronto will be the biggest MMA event in North American history if they can get it sanctioned in Ontario.
• Roy Nelson is “irritating,” “aggravating” and “says a bunch of dumb things.”
• He had a meeting with Shane McMahon but declined to discuss what was talked about. White said he is a good friend and “you never know.”
• He offered Gina Carano a fight when she was with EliteXC. There was a loophole in her contract that would have allowed her to leave but she declined.
• 10-point must system will “probably” need to be changed.
• The UFC is going to Hawaii for sure, and it will be the company’s first stadium show.
• GSP-Hardy will be in February.
• Referee Steve Mazzagatti is a great person, “couldn’t meet a nicer guy,” but he is just not a good referee. White said he just consistently makes bad decisions.
Velasquez said the following:
• He’s ready to fight for the title whenever the UFC calls.
• Rothwell stoppage was “definitely a little early,” but he felt he would have kept doing the same thing.
• Still working to get more power, knows he needs to improve in that area of his game.
• Would love to fight in Mexico City, especially if it is for the title.
• Used to dealing with bigger opponents from his days wrestling at Arizona State. Heavyweights in collegiate wrestling were all bigger than him, just like MMA.
• He is not deterred by the wrestling credentials of Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin.
• When he got cracked by Cheick Kongo, he thought, “What the f--- was that?” Knew he had to take him down at that point.
• He wants to continue working up the ladder in the heavyweight division.
• He has no idea who anyone on TUF is other than Kimbo.
• Dana White gets on him about not watching TUF.
• He does as little as possible when not training.
• Trains seven days a week with three workouts a day and light work on the weekends.
• Predicts Forrest Griffin will beat Tito Ortiz in a “tough fight.”