Dana
White believes the
Ultimate Fighting Championship emerged from the Covid-19
pandemic stronger because the promotion refused to stop
evolving.

The UFC CEO reflected on the organization’s response when the
sporting world came to a standstill in the spring of 2020. While
many organizations were forced to suspend operations, White said
the UFC’s priority was finding a way to continue staging events
despite widespread shutdowns and travel restrictions.

The UFC CEO recalls creating Fight Island after pandemic
shutdowns threatened events

During his recent appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, White said
that the promotion had three priorities as they entered the
pandemic. They wanted to keep every employee on payroll, fulfill
their contractual obligations to fighters and continue delivering
events for their broadcast partner, ESPN.

“I talked to the governor and told him I could put on fights,â€
White recalled, reflecting on the obstacles they faced. “I just
needed production guys. We could social distance, wear masks, do
all the things they required. And he told me I couldn't do it.â€

White said the UFC then began exploring alternatives.

“I was like, ‘Well, you know what? I'll go to a deserted island
somewhere, set up an Octagon, and do it,'†White said. “That's how
Fight Island was created, and our sport grew 77% during COVID.â€

The UFC ultimately established its Fight Island bubble on Yas
Island in Abu Dhabi, allowing the promotion to continue holding
international events while much of the sports world remained
dormant. This kept the UFC afloat and even led to a surge in
popularity.

By April 2021, the UFC was once again welcoming fans to events in
the United States, and three months later returned to T-Mobile
Arena in Las Vegas for
UFC 264, headlined by a trilogy bout between Dustin
Poirier and Conor
McGregor. Looking back, White said the challenges of the
pandemic reinforced the culture he has tried to build within the
organization.

“That's why when it's time to run into the fire, my team runs with
me,†he added. “You find out who everybody is when hard times
hit.â€

Belal Muhammad was far from stunned when Dricus du Plessis defeated Kamaru Usman.

The UFC OKC main event featured a middleweight clash between “Stillknocks†and “The Nigerian Nightmare.†It was a dominant start for du Plessis, who had Usman staggering momentarily. The former UFC welterweight titleholder did have moments of success in the bout, but he never made enough of a dent to give du Plessis problems.

Ultimately, du Plessis scored a unanimous decision win in his first bout since losing the middleweight title. In an interview with MMAJunkie, Muhammad said he expected du Plessis to get the better of Usman.

“I wasn't really surprised,†Muhammad said. “I picked Du Plessis to win. I thought his awkward style was going to be a little too much, but I thought Usman would be able to get a couple of takedowns. I figured it would go back and forth a little bit with the wrestling and grappling. I wanted to see if Du Plessis got better with it, but also I think Usman taking all that time off, right? What has it been, like one fight in three years? Then you come out and fight an awkward guy like (Du Plessis). It's hard to get timing, hard to get yourself acclimated to it. I thought that was a little bit too much for him. You could just tell he wasn't comfortable and couldn't see a lot of the stuff that Du Plessis was throwing at him. …â€

When asked about possibly settling his grudge with Usman down the line, “Remember The Name†didn't commit to the bout. Muhammad's issue has to do with the time Usman spends away from the Octagon after each fight. Muhammad, who is trying to break out of a three-fight skid, said he needs to face opponents who are more active.

Muhammad also admitted he was puzzled by Usman's post-fight reaction when the score totals were announced at UFC OKC. Usman was upset with the 50-45 score, but Muhammad thought the result was quite clear.

Can Kamaru Usman bounce back from his defeat to DDP, and who should his next opponent be? Share your opinion in the comments below.

Valter
Walker isn’t buying the hype surrounding fellow
Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweights Josh Hokit
and Gable
Steveson.

The Brazilian contender, who is set to collide with Thomas
Petersen at
UFC Abu Dhabi on July 25, dismissed both rising heavyweights in
a recent interview, asserting that neither fighter has done enough
in their careers to convince him that they are serious threats.

Valter Walker says Josh Hokit fight could headline a UFC
card

Walker, who has won four of his past five fights, told MMA Fighting he would gladly take on either
Hokit or Steveson next after his upcoming fight.

“I don't think he's a tough fight for me,†Walker said when asked
about Hokit. “Honestly, I don't think he's the fighter people are
making him out to be. Come on, he's small. I'm not intimidated by
that guy at all. Gable Steveson, Josh Hokit. People say, ‘He's a
monster, an Olympic wrestling champion.' Man, I watched Gable's
debut, and I wasn't that impressed. I didn't get all the hype.â€

Walker then further asserted his willingness to fight either
American heavyweight.

“I'm not scared of Josh Hokit or Gable Steveson one bit,†he added.
“If that's the next fight, bring it on. It can be Gable Steveson,
Josh Hokit, Vitor Petrino. I'll take all of them. If I win this
Saturday, book me against any of those guys next.â€

“The Foot Hunter” claims that a potential fight with Hokit would
generate significant interest.

“We're talking co-main event or even main event, because of all the
trash we'd talk to each other.â€

Walker questions the UFC’s rising heavyweight prospects before
UFC Abu Dhabi

Walker also believes that fighting Steveson would be a great
opportunity, given his wrestling background and ties to former UFC
two-division champion Jon Jones.

“Can you imagine?†Walker said. “I beat him, climb on the cage, and
spit in Jon Jones' face. Damn! People holding Jon Jones back while
I'm screaming that I'm the GOAT and telling Jon Jones to go f*ck
himself. All the hype would come my way. It's an opportunity.â€

Steveson enjoyed a successful UFC debut at
UFC 329, finishing Elisha
Ellison in the first round, while Hokit extended his perfect
record by beating Derrick
Lewis at
UFC Freedom 250. Walker poses a threat to both Americans, given
his grappling prowess, having submitted his last four opponents.