Getty Dana White doesn't expect Jon Jones to fight for the heavyweight title.
Earlier this week, UFC president Dana White shared a video on social media slamming the MMA media for its criticism of the promotion at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the video, White shared clips of different reporters and analysts questioning and condemning the UFC for attempting to run events without establishing robust COVID-19 protocols earlier this year. Watch below:
“Big” John McCarthy, longtime referee who has been at the forefront of MMA officiating for decades, was also included in the video. McCarthy has transitioned from refereeing to commentating and currently works for Bellator. He is also a co-host on the MMA podcast “Weighing In” alongside former Strikeforce champion and UFC fighter Josh Thomson.
In the video, White used a clip of McCarthy on his podcast saying, “lining your pockets with money is more important than the safety of the production staff and the people you have fighting.”
Big John recently reacted to being a part of White’s video, saying that he was taken out of context and that White’s video was “clickbait.” McCarthy also clarified that he made the comment featured in the video during the promotion’s two-month hiatus at the start of the pandemic.
“Here’s a guy that says ‘I don’t give a f*** about the media,” McCarthy said via BJPenn.com. “First off, I don’t even look at us as media, but that’s okay, but then he always complains about clickbait. ‘These media guys and that clickbait bulls*** that they do…’ What the f*** did you and your little team do, man? You little clickbait b****. You are so pathetic.”
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McCarthy Praised the UFC the Promotion’s Successful Year But Said the Video Was ‘Bulls***’
During the podcast, McCarthy was complimentary of how the UFC has conducted events since restarting shows in May. However, Big John reiterated that the video White posted took the media out of context to bolster himself and the promotion.
“You need to have your own little pat on the back—okay let me pat you on the back—because you took everything [the media said] out of context,” McCarthy continued. “You made it to where you were the hero. Congratulations hero Dana. Oh, let me bow down to you. Unbelievable. My God. When are you going to figure out—you know what—don’t worry about it. Do your thing, you did great.
“The UFC had a fantastic year, but let’s be honest about everything that occurred, and let’s be honest about your video, because your video is clickbait and it’s bulls*** and it’s out of context.”
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The UFC Gets Back to Action in Mid-January With Holloway vs. Kattar
The UFC is on a four-week hiatus, with the next event taking place on January 16, 2021. The main event is set to feature No. 1 ranked featherweight Max Holloway vs. No. 6 ranked Calvin Kattar. The card will take place on UFC’s Fight Island, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
Following that, Leon Edwards vs. Khamzat Chimaev will headline an event on January 20 and then UFC 257: Poirier vs. McGregor 2 will take place on January 23.