There is always a love/hate relationship with a quarterback who throws more interceptions than touchdowns, especially if that QB’s Hail Marys are miraculous. But eventually those interceptions—no matter how insignificant—outshine the big plays. That is the quandary Dana White finds himself in as he helms MMA’s prime organization.
The vocal and vulgar UFC President recently buried Kevin Ferguson, the bearded street brawler turned mixed martial artist the world knows as Kimbo Slice. White claimed the Bas Rutten-trained fighter would get hurt “real bad” in the UFC because he lost to Sean Gannon and Gannon was wrecked in his lone UFC appearance. While deduction is a powerful tool, MMA has proved that logic irrelevant.
But the real problem with White’s statement is
why would the most prominent promoter in fighting discredit an up and coming star? The answer: Kimbo Slice is not his star.
Dana White, as a promoter, must tout his competition as inferior. But if fans have learned anything in their tenure as mixed martial arts enthusiasts, it’s that the field conditions are never the same.
When Dana White guaranteed he would sign Fedor Emelianenko because he is the best in the world, both at heavyweight and pound for pound, and then started to call him a farce, it makes the UFC and MMA look amateur. It also highlights the UFC’s failure to acquire the best in the world in the worst of ways—by negating their previous statements with save-face assertions. Dana White has the marketing team to validate his quick judgments and further damage the questionable memory of fight fans. This hurts the sport because it dilutes the talent—whether it be perceptive or in reality.
There is a massive fundamental flaw in speaking out against fighters, whether or not they are working for a competitor—promoters are in the business of making fighters look good. So when Dana White exhausted descriptive ways to say Wanderlei Silva was not worthy of the UFC and needed some wins, it made his glee-laden camera-crew contract signing puzzling. Why would the UFC President have a steak-eatin’ grin like that when acquiring a fighter that was “beaten to death” in his last outings? Factor in “The Axe Murderer” took it to Chuck Liddell for three rounds in a losing yet valiant effort, garnering Fight of the Night, and what are fans supposed to conclude?
In professional boxing, Oscar De La Hoya is not going to lambaste Ricky Hatton simply because the Brit is not on his Golden Boy promotions. That is because there is an elemental difference: boxing promoters are willing to work together.
Since the UFC is MMA’s dominant brand, it is understandable that they would not want to work with other organizations. However, it makes no sense when they downplay the quality of other fighters since it hurts the sport and can come back to haunt the UFC. But the most troubling thought is that Dana White has gone on record burying his own fighters. Tito Ortiz has been one of the company’s biggest draws for more time than the former manager has been with the organization. Calling into question his abilities as a top-level fighter challenges the notion UFC features topflight combat. And if the UFC is damages the reputation of its own fighters, who is safe from ridicule?
The answer: the organization itself.
The UFC is promoting its brand over its fighters. It disgruntles employees and situations like Randy Couture and Fedor Emelianenko emerge. When a host of MMA legends like the aforementioned and Tito Ortiz, Pat Miletich, Frank Shamrock, and Ken Shamrock cite disrespect for their current attitude towards the UFC, it holds weight. It is proof there is no such thing as an organizational fighter since fighters must watch out for their best interest and that does not always align with that of the UFC. It is a push-pull relationship that can be mitigated through co-promotion or simply, professionalism.
If an organization takes care of its employees, loyalty will follow (ala Ken Shamrock and Tito Ortiz voicing their desire to remain with the company through retirement). But fighters ultimately are the attraction. And if a promoter does nothing positive for the fighters, the link that brings fans elite competition is severed.
What is said about a fighter cannot be undone. Kimbo Slice, among others, has suffered an unfortunate wound for not being a company man. Despite receiving a glowing endorsement from Rutten, White insists the UFC is above a spectacle like Slice even though Sean Gannon was awarded a crack at the big show based on his internet foray.
Dana White, like a true Bostonian, has a strong personality that is larger than the Octagon. It is entertaining. A man in his position needs a high level of savvy. He was and is integral in defining the sport. But it seems he is becoming careless with its future when acting as its fierce protector. It is a paradox of cultivating and cutting down—beneficial to an organization, and therefore the sport, but damaging to fighters, thus devaluing the sport and those that comprise it.
Dana White just needs to remember that a quarterback is a reflection of his team.
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Kimbo Slice and the UFC
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Originally Posted by basslogic4003
LET THE WOMEN FIGHT! 
Ah, now I get why people hate Dana White...
