Just saw this chat on ESPN with Dana and there are a few good questions asked of him, worth a look at least.
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=26479
Buzzmaster: Dana White will be here at 2 p.m. ET to take all of your UFC-related questions!
Buzzmaster: We've got Dana White!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad (Houston, TX): I'm a huge UFC fan, congrats on all your success. When you play "UFC Undisputed" what fighter will you play with the majority of the time?
Dana White: Thank you very much, I appreciate the support. The few times, I've played it, I've tried to mix it up and use a few different guys to see if they fight like they really do and I've used Evans, Chuck, BJ Penn. I'm impressed with it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Kang (Chicago, IL): Mr White: As you know, steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has become an increasing problem in every major sport, including MMA. Putting aside level of fan tolerance for such things in MMA, does the UFC currently test or plan on testing its fighters under contract in stricter manner than athletic commissions currently do (such as random tests during the year, including blood samples, or requiring fighters to list all supplements that they are taking)? Thanks in advance for you honesty on this issue.
Dana White: I don't think we can get any stricter than we have now. Every time our guys step into the ring, they're tested by the government. Imagine if every Sunday, every NFL player is tested by the government. That's what it's like for every UFC fighter and for boxing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Dave - Sunny AZ: What is the "next level" for the UFC? We've heard the question 'Can the UFC reach the next level with Dana White at the helm?' We've seen international expansion recently, major 'superfights' and all around great fighters signed, but in your mind, what is that level, or goal you have for the UFC as a whole?
Dana White: I love the whole media thing with can we make it to the next level with Dana White. I don't even know what that means. The next level is global. We're up 20%. That's the next step up for us. Keep our head down, keep plugging forward. Am I the right guy? I've been doing it. That's the whole media spin. That I'm not the right guy because I swear. Very interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mario- California: In the video game, is it true that you can create a fighter using the same fighting style like a Brock L. or a Anderson Silvia?
Dana White: That's a good question. I honestly know the answer to that question. You can create your own fighter and you can make your own attributes whatever you want them to be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
keith (NJ): Dana, why do you think your UFC has grown and continued to be successful, while other MMA organizations can't stay in business?
Dana White: Because I think we have the formula. At the end of the day, I'm the one out there every day taking this thing to the next level. I've been doing it for the last 10 years. These other guys don't. They are just in it to make some money. That's the different between me and everyone else. I got into this thing because I wanted to be in it and there was no money.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg (Utah): What do you think of other MMA leagues trying to get on regular network TV? Do you think we'll ever see UFC doing that?
Dana White: Well, let me tell you this. Anyone that wants a a regular TV deal is out of their mind. If we're not on there, it's probably because it's not the right deal. What happened to them? They're gone now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John NY: Hey Dana who are you going to use the most in the new game...and are you a playable charcter in the game?
Dana White: Yeah, I am a fighter in the game.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JoeM - Tampa, FL: Do you have a clone that you could send over help boxing out? Please?
Dana White: That's funny. I tought I wasn't the guy to do that? To be honest, no joking, boxing needs somebody like me and my partner to come in and spend their own money. It's so fragmented. All of these guys fighting for themselves and not for the good of the sport.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Minneapolis: Mr. White, how do you reach the masses with UFC? Is that what the video games are for or is it a broader approach to bring the casual fan in? Also, will we be seeing chuck lidell on entourage again anytime soon?
Dana White: I think it will. I think this video game will be huge and help us grow. A lot of times people tune into the UFC and don't understand the ground game. A lot of people will learn the ground game from the video game and learn who our stars are and recognize games.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shayne - NY [via mobile]: Did you ever expect UFC to become this big?
Dana White: I believed in it. I believed it could. I thought it had the potential. You know what's crazier? I think it has the potential to be the biggest sport in the world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jim wilkes barre pa [via mobile]: just want to see im one of the many that hooked ont ufc with the bonner griffen fight that sealed the deal with me great job to you the fighters and everyone behind the scene. My question is is the ufc undisputed game the next madden? Are you guys going to have one every year? Thanks again.
Dana White: God, I hope so. That's my plan. I want to keep making the game better and better and better every year. I hope the fans love it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam (Provo, UT): Is your eight sided octagon a trademarked fighting arena?
Dana White: Yeah, it's trademarked.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim (WI): Dana, I read today that Cro Crop is coming back to the UFC at heavyweight. Why doesnt he try to drop to Light Heavyweight so he has the size advantage? I am getting the game after work by the way. Thanks
Dana White: Because when I talked to him, he said he was in great shape and has no body fat and he weighs 238 pounds. There's no way he could drop down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jerry (Tx): Since you have 2 title fights for UFC 100, which one will be the main event, Im guessing the Heavyweight division?
Dana White: Brock will be the main event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad (Houston, TX): What question do you get most when you run into fans? My guess is when is the UFC coming back to....
Dana White: No. Is the UFC hiring?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cody (sacramento,Ca): the hole chuck liddell retirement is getting crazy if he wants one more fight will you give it to him just to end all the talk
Dana White: Chuck and I sat down before this last fight and he said he wanted one more fight. He said he'll get in great shape and he'll do all the right things. I'm not Chuck's father. He can do what he wants to do. Buy I don't see what hte point is. He's rich as hell. He's the most famous guy in MMA. What else is there to prove?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jerry (tunk Pa.) [via mobile]: Dana has the thought of holding a tournament style ppv ever considered?
Dana White: No.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RyanG Indianapolis, IN: Dana, as the UFC continues to grow into the global entity you are guiding it towards, is there any chance we can expect to see a women's division? Admit it, Gina Carano deserves to be showcased in the UFC!
Dana White: I completely 100% agree that Gina is great. But she is the only good fighter. It's just like women's boxing. There were a few fighters that were good, but that was it. It's tough. There's not much there to make a division.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ben (Plattsburgh): with all the money pouring into UFC are you concerned by negative PR created by former fighters moaning over low pay, unpaid surgeries etc?
Dana White: No. Let me tell you this. Any guy that's ever been injured fighting in the UFC, their stuff has been paid for. There have been tons of guys who we didn't have to pay for and we still did. Also, find me a guy who works for a company that's not bitching about his pay.
Dana White: I appreciate you taking the time sending in questions. Thanks for making this sport the fastest growing sport on Earth.
Most of his answers you have heard before but they are easier to read with out swears every other word.
Love the quote when asked about UFC making so much money but he has fighters bitching about pay: "Also, find me a guy who works for a company that's not bitching about his pay." Very true
http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=26479
Buzzmaster: Dana White will be here at 2 p.m. ET to take all of your UFC-related questions!
Buzzmaster: We've got Dana White!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad (Houston, TX): I'm a huge UFC fan, congrats on all your success. When you play "UFC Undisputed" what fighter will you play with the majority of the time?
Dana White: Thank you very much, I appreciate the support. The few times, I've played it, I've tried to mix it up and use a few different guys to see if they fight like they really do and I've used Evans, Chuck, BJ Penn. I'm impressed with it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy Kang (Chicago, IL): Mr White: As you know, steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs has become an increasing problem in every major sport, including MMA. Putting aside level of fan tolerance for such things in MMA, does the UFC currently test or plan on testing its fighters under contract in stricter manner than athletic commissions currently do (such as random tests during the year, including blood samples, or requiring fighters to list all supplements that they are taking)? Thanks in advance for you honesty on this issue.
Dana White: I don't think we can get any stricter than we have now. Every time our guys step into the ring, they're tested by the government. Imagine if every Sunday, every NFL player is tested by the government. That's what it's like for every UFC fighter and for boxing.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Steve Dave - Sunny AZ: What is the "next level" for the UFC? We've heard the question 'Can the UFC reach the next level with Dana White at the helm?' We've seen international expansion recently, major 'superfights' and all around great fighters signed, but in your mind, what is that level, or goal you have for the UFC as a whole?
Dana White: I love the whole media thing with can we make it to the next level with Dana White. I don't even know what that means. The next level is global. We're up 20%. That's the next step up for us. Keep our head down, keep plugging forward. Am I the right guy? I've been doing it. That's the whole media spin. That I'm not the right guy because I swear. Very interesting.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mario- California: In the video game, is it true that you can create a fighter using the same fighting style like a Brock L. or a Anderson Silvia?
Dana White: That's a good question. I honestly know the answer to that question. You can create your own fighter and you can make your own attributes whatever you want them to be.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
keith (NJ): Dana, why do you think your UFC has grown and continued to be successful, while other MMA organizations can't stay in business?
Dana White: Because I think we have the formula. At the end of the day, I'm the one out there every day taking this thing to the next level. I've been doing it for the last 10 years. These other guys don't. They are just in it to make some money. That's the different between me and everyone else. I got into this thing because I wanted to be in it and there was no money.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg (Utah): What do you think of other MMA leagues trying to get on regular network TV? Do you think we'll ever see UFC doing that?
Dana White: Well, let me tell you this. Anyone that wants a a regular TV deal is out of their mind. If we're not on there, it's probably because it's not the right deal. What happened to them? They're gone now.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John NY: Hey Dana who are you going to use the most in the new game...and are you a playable charcter in the game?
Dana White: Yeah, I am a fighter in the game.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JoeM - Tampa, FL: Do you have a clone that you could send over help boxing out? Please?
Dana White: That's funny. I tought I wasn't the guy to do that? To be honest, no joking, boxing needs somebody like me and my partner to come in and spend their own money. It's so fragmented. All of these guys fighting for themselves and not for the good of the sport.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greg Minneapolis: Mr. White, how do you reach the masses with UFC? Is that what the video games are for or is it a broader approach to bring the casual fan in? Also, will we be seeing chuck lidell on entourage again anytime soon?
Dana White: I think it will. I think this video game will be huge and help us grow. A lot of times people tune into the UFC and don't understand the ground game. A lot of people will learn the ground game from the video game and learn who our stars are and recognize games.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shayne - NY [via mobile]: Did you ever expect UFC to become this big?
Dana White: I believed in it. I believed it could. I thought it had the potential. You know what's crazier? I think it has the potential to be the biggest sport in the world.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jim wilkes barre pa [via mobile]: just want to see im one of the many that hooked ont ufc with the bonner griffen fight that sealed the deal with me great job to you the fighters and everyone behind the scene. My question is is the ufc undisputed game the next madden? Are you guys going to have one every year? Thanks again.
Dana White: God, I hope so. That's my plan. I want to keep making the game better and better and better every year. I hope the fans love it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Adam (Provo, UT): Is your eight sided octagon a trademarked fighting arena?
Dana White: Yeah, it's trademarked.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jim (WI): Dana, I read today that Cro Crop is coming back to the UFC at heavyweight. Why doesnt he try to drop to Light Heavyweight so he has the size advantage? I am getting the game after work by the way. Thanks
Dana White: Because when I talked to him, he said he was in great shape and has no body fat and he weighs 238 pounds. There's no way he could drop down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jerry (Tx): Since you have 2 title fights for UFC 100, which one will be the main event, Im guessing the Heavyweight division?
Dana White: Brock will be the main event.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chad (Houston, TX): What question do you get most when you run into fans? My guess is when is the UFC coming back to....
Dana White: No. Is the UFC hiring?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cody (sacramento,Ca): the hole chuck liddell retirement is getting crazy if he wants one more fight will you give it to him just to end all the talk
Dana White: Chuck and I sat down before this last fight and he said he wanted one more fight. He said he'll get in great shape and he'll do all the right things. I'm not Chuck's father. He can do what he wants to do. Buy I don't see what hte point is. He's rich as hell. He's the most famous guy in MMA. What else is there to prove?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
jerry (tunk Pa.) [via mobile]: Dana has the thought of holding a tournament style ppv ever considered?
Dana White: No.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RyanG Indianapolis, IN: Dana, as the UFC continues to grow into the global entity you are guiding it towards, is there any chance we can expect to see a women's division? Admit it, Gina Carano deserves to be showcased in the UFC!
Dana White: I completely 100% agree that Gina is great. But she is the only good fighter. It's just like women's boxing. There were a few fighters that were good, but that was it. It's tough. There's not much there to make a division.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ben (Plattsburgh): with all the money pouring into UFC are you concerned by negative PR created by former fighters moaning over low pay, unpaid surgeries etc?
Dana White: No. Let me tell you this. Any guy that's ever been injured fighting in the UFC, their stuff has been paid for. There have been tons of guys who we didn't have to pay for and we still did. Also, find me a guy who works for a company that's not bitching about his pay.
Dana White: I appreciate you taking the time sending in questions. Thanks for making this sport the fastest growing sport on Earth.
Most of his answers you have heard before but they are easier to read with out swears every other word.
Love the quote when asked about UFC making so much money but he has fighters bitching about pay: "Also, find me a guy who works for a company that's not bitching about his pay." Very true
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