ABU DHABI – What initially began years in the past as a distant but respectful relationship (at the least publicly) between the UFC and PFL has slowly became a little bit of a feud.
Days after PFL: Battle of the Giants came about, Dana White was requested about current claims made by Donn Davis that PFL was beating UFC in some statistical classes. Unsurprisingly, White didn’t agree. What was a shock was that he got here ready with a printout and rattled off statistical comparisons between Energy Slap and PFL.
“To start with, the PFL ought to maintain the UFC out of their mouth,” White informed MMA Junkie and different reporters Thursday. “They will’t even take care of Energy Slap. Energy Slap destroys PFL. It’s bizarre that you simply ask these questions as a result of I simply occur to have some papers right here.”
After itemizing off stats of social media posts and views, White took exception with Davis’ interview Wednesday with MMA Preventing, throughout which the PFL CEO claimed he doesn’t watch MMA exterior of his personal model.
“I can maintain happening for a f*cking month right here,” White stated. “Then, if you wish to get into what he stated concerning the UFC, I’ve a laundry checklist right here. However let me simply begin with this: UFC Vegas 84 on the Apex beat them. So pay attention, I perceive and I like the stuff that he stated. He seems like Kamala (Harris). He talks loads however says nothing. I’d hate to be certainly one of that guys’ buyers. ‘I don’t watch MMA. I’ve labored seven years and have by no means taken a trip.’ It is best to most likely take a trip. You’re out of your f*cking thoughts, dude. It is best to most likely take a trip.
“I’ve a listing right here. I’ll have Lenee (Breckenridge) get you guys this checklist of all these numbers. However that man shouldn’t even point out the UFC. He’s not even in Energy Slap’s (realm). Then at this time he was speaking about how ‘there’s all types of mixture packages and stuff how this works.’ He doesn’t beat Energy Slap in income. He doesn’t beat Energy Slap in ticket gross sales. He doesn’t beat Energy Slap in sponsorship. He doesn’t beat Energy Slap in something, not to mention the UFC.”
Previous to PFL’s acquisition of Bellator in late 2023, the promotion was not often talked about by White in interviews. Nonetheless, now that the panorama has modified, White has been requested about PFL with elevated frequency. He initially spoke with respect when speaking about PFL, Davis, and the remainder of the possession group.
Over time, nonetheless, the jockeying for credit score within the public enviornment has elevated. PFL and Davis have tried to color themselves in the identical gentle because the UFC in a extra aggressive method than former Bellator president Scott Coker did throughout his tenure because the UFC’s largest competitor.
In response, White’s putdowns have additionally picked up. On an almost weekly foundation throughout Dana White’s Contender Sequence, White can be requested about PFL – and gladly embrace the chance to speak down on the model.
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