UFC President Dana White is one of the most polarizing figures in sports, and one former professional boxer did not mince words when asked for his thoughts on White.
During a recent interview, former boxing superstar Derek Chisora compared White to a “slave owner” for the way he operates his platforms and the imbalance of power that exists between him and the fighters.
“Dana White, he’s not my cup of tea, to be honest with you. Because the way he operates… He operates like a slave owner, man,” Chisora said during a recent interview with Fight Hub TV. “Fighters want to fight on his platform, and he tells them, ‘You’re not good enough for me, so go away.’ What’s a fighter going to do? What’s he going to do after that? That’s not right.”
Chisora is presumably referring to the total control that White has over who gets to fight on his platform and how White is often quick to reject or cut fighters based on single performances. This relates to his Contender Series verdicts, where White decides on the spot whether someone gets a contract.
This is not the way Chisora thinks the industry should work.
Chisora thinks that White’s way of doing things does not allow the opportunity for an off night, and he seemingly believes that White just has too much power where he can define someone’s career with a snap judgement.
“Everybody wants to fight. They might not be good on that night, but they can be better the next night. So, his way of operating is just bullish and I don’t like it,” he said.
It’s worth noting that Chisora comes from a boxing background, where fighters and promoters negotiate more freely, and veterans often get rematches and comeback fights even when they are past their prime. White’s approach differs wildly from this, and it’s clear that Chisora is not a fan.
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