UFC president Dana White talked about what’s next for Belal Muhammad and Tom Aspinall as well as his thoughts on raising fight bonuses and Muhammad Mokaev leaving the UFC.
No trilogy for Leon and Belal
Muhammad walked away with a unanimous decision win over Edwards to become the new UFC welterweight champion. While a trilogy fight would make sense, the UFC boss insists that there are “other things” they need to focus on at this point.
“Let him [Edwards] rest. We’re talking about other things right now,” White told reporters in his post-UFC 304 presser.
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/1817435484433326265
Tom will be Jones vs. Miocic bakcup
Aspinall did not fail to deliver in his rematch with Curtis Blaydes and secured a first-round TKO victory to retain his interim heavyweight title. Clearly impressed of the performance, White confirmed that Aspinall has earned the right to become the backup fighter for Jones vs. Miocic.
“100%! We’d be insane not to make him the backup for that fight… Listen, Jon Jones is no dummy. Jon Jones has a very high fight IQ, so he knows what Aspinall has got and what he’s about,” i.e., five first-round finishes in a row, insane knockout power and arguably the best finishing ability in the entire sport,” White said of Aspinall.
“I think we’re going to have to see what happens with this fight with Stipe and see where Jon’s head is, or if Stipe wins, we see where his head is and let’s see what they want to do,” he added.
Dana White is asked if Tom Aspinall could be the back up for Jones/Miocic: 100%. We'd been insane not to make him the back up.#UFC pic.twitter.com/3ymicXuh2U
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 28, 2024
No more big bonuses
Prior to UFC 304, White agreed to increase the fight bonuses to $100K. While he indeed handed out the said amount to the fight bonus winners, the UFC boss was not satisfied with how the fighters performed.
According to White, he would never raise the bonuses again as it doesn’t really motivate fighters to fight harder.
“I think tonight showed that we should not [raise bonuses],” White pointed out. “Upping them doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t make anybody fight any harder. It doesn’t change anything. I’m not doing this again. Ever. Today was the last day that I’m doing that… [I’m] Not saying that in the future the bonuses couldn’t get up, but I’m not going to be at a press conference and say, ‘200, 300.’ F**king never again. Never again. You can thank everybody on this card for that.”
“Nobody fought any harder,” he exclaimed. “There was no sense of urgency, ‘Holy shit, I want the $100,000.’ Seven straight [decisions]… Never again. Seven straight f**king decisions. The $100,000 was a real big f*cking [incentive], woo-hoo, let’s get it boys! F*ck that shit, never again.”
Dana White says he won't be increasing the post fight bonuses during a press conference again.#UFC304 pic.twitter.com/JVppDHBlpb
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 28, 2024
Mokaev could go to PFL
Mokaev has improved his UFC winning streak to seven in a row with a decision win over Manel Kape. Despite the win, “The Punisher” hinted at not being certain about his future with the UFC as he has been urged to tone down on his takedowns, suggesting he has to be more exciting.
White admitted that some guys from the UFC do that to some fighters but as for Mokaev, the UFC boss is done. White also noted that there are also other factors that contributed to Mokaev’s departure other than his fighting style.
“That’s what we tell guys. We tell guys how to fight,” White said of Mokaev. “We’ve been doing this for a long f**king time. I’m sure one the matchmakers probably said something to him or whatever. The matchmakers aren’t big fans of his for many different reasons. There’s a lot of people who shoot takedowns in this business, a lot of guys that fight with that type of style. But it’s a lot more than just that.
“He’s not under contract anymore… I think the PFL’s going to get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him,” he concluded.
Dana White on Muhammad Mokaev: I think the PFL is gonna get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him. #UFC pic.twitter.com/JsqlVVDxLy
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) July 28, 2024
As it stands, it appears that “Remember The Name” will possibly defend his welterweight title against a fresh opponent. Apart from that, White seems to be certain about what the UFC brass wants for Aspinall and Mokaev as well.
