UFC CEO Dana White has taken responsibility for the chaotic brawl that erupted between middleweight fighters Sean Strickland and Dricus du Plessis.
The incident, which saw Strickland leap over seats to confront Du Plessis, has been a hot topic in the MMA community, with White acknowledging his role in the seating mishap.
White, known for his straightforward approach, didn’t shy away from accepting blame in the post-fight press conference. “What kind of an [expletive] sits Strickland next to Du Plessis? This [expletive] right here,” White said, pointing to himself.
He expressed disbelief at his oversight, stating, “It just blows my mind that I let that slip.”
The UFC boss further detailed the aftermath of the incident, revealing that he had instructed Strickland to relax and go to the back, but Strickland chose to leave the arena instead. Du Plessis, on the other hand, was spoken to right outside the door and was reported to be fine.
The scuffle between Strickland and Du Plessis at UFC 296 adds another layer of intensity to their upcoming main event clash at UFC 297, scheduled for January 20, 2024, in Toronto.
The altercation, which saw Strickland asking people in the crowd to move for a clear shot at Du Plessis, ended with security intervening.
Despite the incident, White remained philosophical about the nature of the sport. “We are in the fight business, and these are the things that happen,” he remarked, emphasizing the unpredictable and often volatile environment of MMA.
The Strickland-Du Plessis brawl serves as a reminder of the fine line between promoting fights and ensuring the safety and professionalism of events.
Dana White’s admission and reflection on the incident highlight the continuous learning process involved in managing one of the world’s most dynamic sports organizations.
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