Why did you cut out pro-Palestine message on YouTube?” – ‘Free speech warrior’ Dana White faces ‘hypocrisy’ allegations after blasting reporter
Dana White sneered at reporter Alexander K. Lee for claims of 'leash' on fighters.
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Fans react to Dana White and Co. opting out of UFC 294's pro-Palestine Octagon interview speech (Source: Twitter/IMAGO)
South African Dricus Du Plessis emerged victorious from UFC 297’s title grudge match, winning in way of a split decision. ‘Stillknocks’, now 21-2 MMA, 7-0 UFC, defeated Sean Strickland to bag the 185lbs title gold. In the lead-up though, the unhinged former champion had bashed an ‘LGBTQ ally’ reporter at UFC 297’s pre-fight conference face-off. Recently, speaking at the post-fight presser, top honcho Dana White emphasized the notion of free speech, siding with ‘Tarzan.’ His message has, however, had unforeseen consequences.
This comes in light of Lightweight king Islam Makhachev‘s UFC 294 title defense. The champion had refused to celebrate his head-kick KO victory, amidst global conflicts of the Israel – Palestinian war. However, The promotion’s official post-fight Octagon interview broadcast later culled Makhachev’s pro-Palestine lines. White advocating judiciousness as a ‘Free speech warrior’ thus got many jibes from the MMA community.
A prime reaction on X retorted – “Thank you free speech warrior Dana. Why did you cut out the Pro Palestine message from Islam’s post-fight speech on YouTube?” Strickland’s overt anti-LGBTQ attack had got a similar nod of avoidance from ESPN MMA. While fans are not opposed to the former champion himself, they did, however, harshly berate White for parading freedom of speech, having acted contrary to it.
Additionally, a lot of fans also gibed at him not getting the question. The sentiment was that the promotion’s taskmaster gave a lot of leash to the fighters, permitting them to go on free-rants. But White misunderstanding it further has instigated quite a few responses.
Fans react to Dana White snubbing pro-Palestine message but allowing Sean Strickland’s rant
Before his title skid to Dricus Du Plessis, Sean Strickland had feuded with MMA Fighting’s combat sports journalist Alexander K. Lee. The former middleweight champion unleashed on Lee after being asked about his thoughts on the LGBTQ+ community. Added to it, he even pinned blame on the MMA journo, going on an unfiltered rant.
Later, post-UFC 297, CEO Dana White instilled ‘freedom of speech’ rights when asked to weigh in about the matter. However, fans of the sport have not taken lightly to this, in light of White snubbing Pro-Palestinian sentiments and yet boasting freedom.
And here’s how a few fans have reacted to the matter:
A lot of fans have sniped at White for having a leash only when it comes to pro-Palestinian subjects. Alongside, a few others mocked him for misunderstanding the sentiment altogether. White had taken ‘long leash’ as a controlling factor on his fighters; when in fact Lee had meant the opposite.
While White himself has penned down many pro-Palestinian posts on social media, he does not allow sentiments to run amok within the promotion. Case in point – he banned fighter walkouts along with the country’s flags at the time of a global crisis. Another example of an incident that did not sit well with fans.
In case you missed it:
- Muslim fighters Khamzat Chimaev and Belal Muhammad put rivalry aside to hold Palestine flag together after reports of flag ban at UFC 294
- Islam Makhachev and Khamzat Chimaev’s thunderous support for Palestine ignites social media amidst Israel-Palestine war
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Ajinkya Aswale
(1115 Articles Published)