After conquering and burying past MMA promotions like Pride, Elite XC, IFL and Strikeforce maybe Dana White has turned a corner in his quest for world domination. When Bellator was fronted by Bjorn Rebney, the UFC president was quick to chop down and diss the Spike TV promotion whenever he was asked about them. White once called Rebney, Bdork, Bjork (the Icelandic songstress?) and other variations of the letter “B” followed by an unflattering term.
Now with Scott Coker as Bellator president, White might even have given his closest competitor a compliment? The act of praise occurred on the Canadian sports show “Off The Record” (transcribed via MMA Fighting).
“That thing was a free fight on free TV. Yea, it’s going to pull some numbers. They’re both big-name guys. I’m happy for Tito and Bonnar. Those guys are getting paid, that’s really about it. To be honest with you, the ‘Tito thing’ is old, it’s over. I couldn’t care less anymore. When Tito and I were a lot younger we used to battle about a lot of things. I’m happy for the guy, he’s getting paid. Good for him.”
In the wake of White’s latest interview, Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonner even get some love. Also on White’s agenda was former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson. “Rampage”, who still has three fights left on his current Bellator deal, tweeted a message at the UFC earlier in the week.
Just a thought.. But I’ve learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 18, 2014
Coming off a big Bellator weekend, Rampage was bummed about his current situation but he may have a buddy back in Las Vegas. White would go on to tell the host of “Off The Record” Michael Landsberg, about Rampage’s current status with Zuffa brass. “I like Rampage Jackson, Rampage and I have a very unique relationship in that all the stuff that goes on publicly, behind the scenes we square away. He’s a good dude.” A good dude to bring back to the UFC or a good dude who White enjoys watching on his DVR? The saga of Rampage, the UFC and Dana White may have one more chapter written before Jackson hangs up his chain for good.
