UFC boss Dana White FORGOT Islam Makhachev’s name at his press conference – after the Russian world champion slammed him for not promoting his fight with Alex Volkanovski
- UFC boss Dana White forgets Islam Makhachev’s name
- Makhachev is the current UFC lightweight champion
- The Russian criticized White for not promoting the event
UFC president Dana White made an embarrassing gaffe by forgetting lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s name while answering questions about the upcoming superfight between the Russian and Alex Volkanovski.
The fight at UFC 284 in Perth next Sunday will determine the pound-for-pound king of the Octagon and is one of the biggest events scheduled for 2023.
UFC president Dana White (pictured) made the embarrassing gaffe of forgetting lightweight champion Islam Makhachev’s name when answering questions about the upcoming superfight between the Russian and Alex Volkanovsky.
The fight at UFC 284 in Perth next Sunday will determine the pound-for-pound king of the octagon and is one of the biggest UFC events scheduled for 2023
Makhachev has already criticized White for not doing enough to promote the event, and slipping up will add insult to injury.
White was at Sunday’s UFC Fight Night post-fight press conference when he made the gaffe.
“You know, when you talk about legacy, if Volkanovski could pull that off, it’s obviously huge, and if uh…if uh…[forgets Makhachev’s name] yes, he could do it, he’s on his way to building an incredible legacy.’
Fight fans had a field day with the social media gaffe.
“I think Dana would rather watch Power Slap than UFC,” said one Twitter user.
“Dana sounds great for UFC 284,” another sarcastically commented.
Volkanovski will become the first Australian to hold two UFC titles simultaneously if he wins the champion-versus-champion showdown against Makhachev (pictured, left, beating Charles Oliveira last year)
“Shh can’t at least pretend lol,” said a third.
Last week, Makhachev blasted the governing body’s attempts to wrap up interest in the Perth card.
“Dana White himself has some issues. He doesn’t pay much attention to this fight. In terms of pay-per-view, yes, it could have been more,” Dagestani said.
“I only saw Volkanovski once, in Sydney. A world tour could be organized, a conference could be held in America.’
Volkanovski will become the first Australian to hold two UFC titles simultaneously if he wins the champion-versus-champion showdown against Makhachev.
He’s already regarded as the top pound-for-pound MMA fighter on the planet, and if he beats Makhachev he’ll join the likes of Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier and Amanda Nunes as simultaneous multi-division champions.
Makhachev is on an 11-fight winning streak and is coming off an impressive submission victory over Charles Oliveira to win the lightweight strap.
Volkanovski (pictured) is already considered the top pound-for-pound MMA fighter on the planet and if he beats Makhachev he will join Conor McGregor, Daniel Cormier, Amanda Nunes as simultaneous multi-division champions.
Both champions welcomed the fight from the start, with the pair going head-to-head in the Octagon following Makhachev’s last win in Abu Dhabi at UFC 280.
Makhachev will go into the match as the favorite due to his size advantage and incredible game skills.
The Australian event will also feature Yair Rodriguez vs. Josh Emmett fighting for the interim featherweight title as a co-main event.