The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has heavily been promoting the upcoming heavyweight war between reigning champion Stipe Miocic and rising knockout artist Francis Ngannou. With in mind, Miocic has previously come forward to reveal he believes the UFC is perhaps promoting the fight in Ngannou’s favor. Miocic revealed that he believes the UFC may be interesed in seeing Ngannou come out with the title.
Now, in a new interview, UFC President Dana White has decided to come forward with his thoughts on the matter. Speaking on the Toucher and Rich show, White explained that he is not trying to stack the event in either fighter’s favor.
“When you have a guy like Francis Ngannou that comes out and is who he is and does what he does and you make this fight, all fighters are paranoid. They’re all paranoid,” White said. “How can I make Stipe lose? Only Stipe can make Stipe lose. We put together the fights with the best fighters in the world and they go out and whoever wins, wins and whoever loses, loses. It’s up to Stipe.
“It’s not up to me whether Stipe wins or loses.”
“Stipe is one of the nicest guys in the world.” White continued. “I like this guy. We’ve butted heads professionally as far as business goes in the last year and a half but other than that he’s a super nice guy. But I butt heads with everybody at some point professionally at one point or another. I don’t wish anybody to win or lose.”
“The only time I’ve had that ‘god I hope he gets his ass kicked’ is Tito Ortiz.” The UFC president said. “Me and Tito Ortiz had a horrible relationship. We went back a long way, we completely hated each other, we were very public about it but there’s no other fighters like that, that I feel that way about. Luke Rockhold and I don’t have a great relationship either. But no, he’s completely off base on that one.”
