“It’s about professional self-determination”- Stephen Espinoza replies to Kamaru Usman’s callout while dissing Dana White
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Stephen Espinoza and Kamaru Usman
Stephen Espinoza is well known amongst boxing fans for his work with Golden Boy Promotions and the final stages of Floyd Mayweather’s career, however, in the MMA world, he is infamously known as “The Weasel” after Conor McGregor gave him the nickname during the May-Mac press tours. Kamaru has been very open about wanting to secure a bout with Boxing’s top superstar.
Although Canelo was respectful in his refusal to fight Usman, opting to focus more on his legacy, the same cannot be said for Espinoza. In the past, he has always been fairly negative about the MMA Community with particular disdain for Dana White.
Stephen Espinoza goes off on MMA matchmaking, Calls Dana White a kickboxing Instructor
Stephen claimed MMA fighters lack the understanding of “professional self-determination” owing to most not having a say in who they fight. Boxers are more independent when it comes to choosing their opponents and according to Espinoza that is the reason for Canelo to turn down Usman rather than “Not wanting the smoke” as Usman put it.
The showtime executive also said the reason MMA fighters lack the ability to choose their fights is that they work under a kickboxing instructor. This was aimed at the company head, Dana White who before joining the UFC worked as a Boxercise coach (and not a kickboxing instructor.)
Fans however were quick to point out the obvious problem with boxers’ ability to choose their opponent, the obvious being a lack of fights between true contenders instead opting for easy fights that stack up against their record. This when compared to MMA, which has a more rigid and centralized administration when it comes to matchmaking is a downside as most fighters (with the exception of big money names) have to fight similarly ranked opponents.
Dana White for his part has not yet responded to this particular insult but in the past has never been shy when it comes to responding to Stephen Espinoza. Previously at the start of the pandemic, Dana had an epic rant about Stephen Espinoza’s criticisms, even calling him a “creepy little dude.”
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