Dana White Gives Stern Warning to His Staff Regarding Approaching Officials
After weigh-ins today for the UFC’s return to The Apex, Dana White was asked about his thoughts on what happened between Herb Dean and Dan Hardy at the last event in Abu Dhabi and his reply was a stern warning for anyone under his employ.
Dan Hardy and Herb Dean had exchanged some words about the stoppage in the fight between Francisco Trinaldo and Jai Herbert. Hardy felt the stoppage came late, Dean felt he conducted himself appropriately but at the end of the day, only one of their responsibilities was in the cage.
“I want to make this very clear,”White began about the incident, “If you work for me, and you approach a judge or a referee or any type of official; I will fire you. You will lose your job, you will never work for me again if you do that.”
“If you work for me at any capacity, and you approach a referee, or judge, or an official. I will fire you that night on the spot.”-Dana White
White understands anyone watching fights can get emotionally fueled, but those working under the current circumstances have easier access to do so, which can create problems for officials. Given the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts history with getting to where it is now, there’s no room for creating problems with officials, especially during a pandemic.
White was asked if he had spoken to Hardy, and he replied, “I’m speaking to him now. I’m speaking to everybody.”
One of the things that had White address the issue with Dean and Hardy was news of an incident earlier in the day where Ahmad Al Darmaki refused to release a choke and referee Marc Goddard had to force him to release the choke. Darmaki pushed Goddard, getting himself disqualified at UAE Warriors 12.
White added, “If you’re a fighter and you put your hands on or threaten any official, you will never ever fight here again. Period.”
