MMA
Dana White brushes off MVP-PFL merger and claims 'nobody will watch' in dismissive reaction: "Those guys aren't my competition"
Zuffa LLC and NetflixDana White doesn't think Most Valuable Promotion's merger with PFL will make a dent in the MMA space.
On Thursday, Jake Paul and execs from MVP and PFL announced the two promotions have merged. In a press release, Paul said the goal of disrupting the “broken†model for MMA has been accelerated by a “decade†thanks to the merger with PFL.
The news comes off the heels of the successful MVP MMA 1 event back in May. It was MVP's debut MMA show, and it was headlined by the returns of Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano. Rousey submitted Carano in 17 seconds via armbar. MVP MMA 1 brought in 17 million viewers on Netflix and reportedly drew 15,795 tickets.
Speaking to Oscar Willis of The Mac Life, White dismissed the notion that the merger with MVP and PFL will create any significant waves (via Bloody Elbow).
“I don't know anything about what they're doing,†White said. “It probably makes sense when s— isn't working for anybody, we should all probably get together. Let's take two organizations that don't sell tickets and nobody watches and let's merge them together and make a bigger company that won't sell tickets and nobody will watch.â€
White then further drove home the point that he feels MVP and PFL were never competing with UFC, and that won't change because of a merger.
“Listen, I've said this a hundred times and I'm f—— around,†White continued. “I don't look at any of those guys as our competition. We're on a whole other f—— stratosphere now. I mean, I'm competing with all the majors. Those guys aren't my competition so good luck to them all. I wish them all the best.â€
Paul has long spoken out against UFC's business practices. He has called out the top MMA promotion for low fighter pay and treatment of the athletes. “The Problem Child†insists MVP and PFL will take the fight to UFC, and he believes that the merger can take some market share.
Do you agree with Dana White on the MVP-PFL merger, or does he care more about it than he's letting on? Voice your opinion in the comments below.
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
Usman Nurmagomedov approaches the final bout on his PFL contractual agreement tonight, and several promotional standouts have speculated on what could be next for the top pound-for-pound star in the promotion. The PFL lightweight champion will defend his 155-pound crown against Archie Colgan as the main event of PFL New York on July 31st. AJ McKee touched on this ahead of his recent PFL San Diego headlining bout that saw him hand Salamat Isbulaev his first pro MMA loss.
McKee has also shown past intrigue in a clash with Nurmagomedov, and when asked if he sees the PFL lightweight champ re-signing with the company following Friday's fight, McKee said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“I think he's got a skill set to overheld himself wherever he goes. So, whatever he chooses to do is upon him. I'm supportive of all fighters and testing waters. Seeing what their opportunities are. So, with him, yeah, that was definitely a fight I was looking forward to, just being champ champ. It's still something that's on the table for myself and I'm looking forward to doing.â€
Usman Nurmagomedov bout touched on by PFL New York co-main event star
Dakota Ditcheva will also be fighting on this PFL New York card and took time to address the Usman Nurmagomedov situation ahead of her fight with Denise Kielholtz. When asked for her thoughts on whether Nurmagomedov will end up continuing to ply his trade in the PFL's Smart Cage or if he perhaps turns his focus next toward the UFC's octagon, Ditcheva stated [via Bowks Talking Bouts],
“I don't know. I think he has always been clear on like when Islam [Makhachev] gives his belt up and he's finished that they're going to bring Usman in now. So I think; well Khabib [Nurmagomedov] has his plans. They say father's plan, don't they? They know exactly what they're doing. So I don't know what's going to happen, but they would have had this figured out for a long time. Just good luck to him wherever he goes. He's a great athlete and a very exciting fighter.â€
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
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