Oklahoma City — Dana White flew into Oklahoma City at the last minute on Saturday— so last minute that he watched the Tommy McMillen fight on the plane.
The UFC President and CEO did make it to the event in the end, and addressed the media, including Cageside Press, following the headliner. Immediately on everyone’s mind, the performances of aging veterans Jared Cannonier and Kamaru Usman, both of whom suffered setbacks on Saturday. And, of course, Conor McGregor.
“Both guys performed and looked good. When you see the ‘holy sh*t these guys should retire’ fights, that’s not it,” White said of Usman, a former welterweight champ who moved up to middleweight, and Cannonier, an ex-title challenger at 185lbs.
On Kamaru Usman in particular, White added that “he’s accomplished so much, and he’s fighting literally the number one or two best guy in the world who is way bigger than he is. I think Kamaru has done enough in his career, it’s up to him [whether to retire].”
Deferring to the former welterweight champ, White added that “it’s not like he’s some young guy that hasn’t done anything. This guy has done it all.”
Then there was Conor McGregor. Since blowing out his knee a week ago in the main event of UFC 329, the MMA world has been waiting on the Irish star’s next move. Of course, he’s having surgery, and will be on the shelf a bit. That hasn’t stopped fans from speculating on a return opponent, now that the 38-year old has confirmed he will fight on.
“The Conor McGregor discussion isn’t even worth talking about. He’s gotta have knee surgery, he’s going to have to go through physical therapy, it’s all going to take time,” Dana White exclaimed on Saturday at the Paycom Center. Shutting down the Conor talk, he added “then when the doctor says you can start hardcore training again, then we start talking about Conor McGregor again.”
As for the exact injury McGregor suffered, which has been assumed to be ACL-related but has not been confirmed, “his knee is f*cked up,” stated White.
