Tuesday, March 11, 2008

The Yin and Yang of Dana White

Like dew on a morning flower after a night's hard rainfall, Dana White is a man of contrasts. The UFC president is at times brilliant, and as spokesman for the sport, he is at times coarse and abrasive. He is all. And nothing at all. If one looks, one can see the philosophical path blazed by the man at the helm of MMA's flagship organization, the yin and yang to everything he says and does. MMA Journalist would like to take this moment to reflect on the tao of Dana White. -"Everybody thinks that the mixed martial arts market is so hot right now. The UFC is hot right now."- Oh Dana. The crowds who pack grassroots shows like the UCL or regional shows like Ring of Combat would say otherwise. It's undeniable that the UFC has experienced phenomenal growth in recent years, but so too have many other promotions. Really, only the ones that tried to operate with faulty business models have failed. -"I'm after all the best fighters in the world... I'll have Fedor someday."- Is Fedor one of the best or isn't he? Make up your mind, Dana, because in a subsequent interview, you stated: "People think he's the best - I don't." Does he become one the best once he signs a UFC contract? -Zuffa and White saved MMA by adding rules to protect the fighters- Ah yes, the infamous "Zuffa myth", which is still being propagated by ill-informed journalists today. Zuffa did indeed save MMA from "extreme sports" ignominy, but credit for the Unified Rules should go to the NJSACB and the IFC, which employed those rules at their New Jersey events before Zuffa even bought the UFC. -"Bud Lite tastes great."- Does it, Dana? Or is it less filling? Hmmm...