Dana White Talks Covington, Chimaev, Fabia, TUF 29 & Paul vs Woodley
Dana White has revealed that Kamaru Usman will make his next title defence in a rematch against Colby Covington. The UFC president has also opened up on Joshua Fabia’s recent comments, the 29th season of The Ultimate Fighter, Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley, and given an update on Khamzat Chimaev.
Colby Covington Is Next
Covington, who was stopped late in the fifth round by Usman in their first meeting at UFC 245, has been campaigning for another shot at the champion, ever since he beat Tyron Woodley at UFC Vegas 11.
Commenting on Kevin Iole’s Instagram Live, Dana confirmed that Covington is next in line to challenge Usman for the welterweight title.
“Colby Covington is next,” Dana wrote.
Colby Covington vs Jorge Masvidal TUF
The Ultimate Fighter season 29 kick-started on Tuesday, with the UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and Brian Ortega taking up roles as the coaches. The coaching roles were initially offered to Covington and Jorge Masvidal, but ‘Gamebred’ declined the opportunity.
Speaking on the ‘Real Quick with Mike Swick’ podcast (as transcribed by BJPenn.com), Dana said that a number of other fighters were also considered before the opportunity was handed to the featherweights, including two division champion, Amanda Nunes.
“As we go into a season, we’re looking at tons of different scenarios on who could coach. Amanda Nunes was being looked at as a coach, too,” Dana said. “Then you gotta start calling these guys and finding out what do they got going on personally, and this and that, and all this other s***. And then it all pans out and you end up with [Volkanovski and Ortega]. But there are lots of different coaches being kicked around leading into the show.”
Jake Paul vs Tyron Woodley
Earlier this week, it was announced that Jake Paul will be returning to the boxing ring on August 28th against Tyron Woodley, who was released by the UFC in April after his loss to Vicente Luque at UFC 260.
Dana, who has often been critical of Paul in the past, said that he respects the YouTuber for finally stepping in with a man known for his knockout power.
“Tyron Woodley has punching power and obviously he’s put a lot of dudes to sleep in his career,” Dana said. “Tyron Woodley doesn’t look like the Tyron Woodley of the past that was putting everybody to sleep. He hasn’t won a fight in three years, he’s going to be 40 years old. But I will give it to [Paul]. At least he’s stepping in there with a guy who can punch.”
Paul has opened as a betting favourite against Woodley, which Dana believes is due to ‘The Chosen One’s’ recent run of losses.
“It has to do with Woodley’s age, and he hasn’t won a fight in three years,” Dana said.
Although Dana believes Woodley should knock Paul out, he isn’t as confident as he would have been four years ago when the former UFC welterweight champion was in his prime.
“Listen, man. Woodley should knock him out,” Dana said. “But again, the Tyron Woodley that you talk about that was the champ isn’t the same f***ing guy he was four years ago.”
Joshua Fabia Allegations
After Diego Sanchez parted ways with Joshua Fabia last month, the self-awareness coach levelled more accusations against the UFC, the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and ‘The Nightmare’ himself.
Responding to Fabia’s recent comments, Dana slammed him for ‘talking s***’ about ‘nice guy’ Sanchez.
“Mr. f***in’ self-awareness and all he does is coming out and starts talking s*** about people,” Dana said. “Now he’s gonna turn on Diego Sanchez and say bad stuff about Diego? The only thing Diego is guilty of is being a really nice guy. He’s a little out there, but make no mistake, Diego is one of the nicest people you will ever meet, he’s a good person.”
As far as Dana is concerned, Fabia is a ‘mentally ill goofball’, who shouldn’t be taken seriously.
“That guy is such a f***ing goofball,” Dana said. “Seriously, if you take anything that guy says serious, you should be f***ing beat with a stick.
“If the source was somebody that was even remotely credible, yeah [I’d do something]. I could give a flying f*** what he says. I think the kid is mentally ill. So should I fire up the lawyers for a mentally ill f***ing goofball? You know what I mean? It’s just a complete waste of time. So no.”
Khamzat Chimaev
Dana also gave an update on Khamzat Chimaev, who hasn’t fought since last September due to COVID-related health issues, saying that he is coming out to Las Vegas next week to meet him.
“Chimaev is coming in next week to meet with us,” Dana said.
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