“Camera pans to Dana White” – NBA star Draymond Green putting Rudy Gobert in rear-naked choke gets an invite to UFC from fight fans

Dana White's MMA influence extends to the NBA scuffle. Explore the crossover between UFC and other sports leagues.

“Camera pans to Dana White” – NBA star Draymond Green putting Rudy Gobert in rear-naked choke gets an invite to UFC from fight fans

Dana White mentioned in the Draymond Green-Rudy Gobert scuffle (Image via: IMAGO, X/Hoops)

Dana White is now a name synonymous with MMA. Whenever a fight happens anywhere, the name Dana White pops up. So it comes as no surprise to see his name pop up after the recent altercation in an NBA game. The recent Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors game saw a brutal scuffle that saw Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Jadon McDaniel ejected.

Draymond Green was seen putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock during the scuffle. Fans on social media quickly pointed it as similar to a rear naked choke submission used in MMA. The UFC is the world’s fastest-growing sports league and is catching up to the NBA. UFC fans were very quick to react to the incident due to its striking similarity with MMA.

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The UFC has sought crossover stars before. However, their attempt failed with WWE superstar Phil Brooks, popularly known as CM Punk. Moreover, UFC CEO Dana White even showed interest in a potential fight between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. Transitioning to professional mixed martial arts is a daunting task. If Green ever pursues an MMA career, the doors of the UFC will be open for him.

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Dana White’s name dragged into the NBA scuffle showcased his immense popularity in the fight game. After all, White is one of the main reasons why the UFC is valued at $12.3 Billion. Moreover, White was the first to conduct sports during the pandemic. His efforts were criticized at first but, in hindsight, proved to be a masterstroke decision. The NBA and other sports leagues followed suit after the UFC.

Draymond Green stuns UFC fans with a chokehold on Rudy Gobert igniting reactions

Draymond Green, the NBA star for the Golden State Warriors, stunned the MMA community on social media. He applied a chokehold on Minnesota Timberwolves’s Rudy Gobert. This unexpected move during the NBA game ignited a frenzy among UFC fans.

Dana White mentioned in the Draymond Green-Rudy Gobert scuffle
Dana White mentioned in the Draymond Green-Rudy Gobert scuffle (Image via: Arizona Sports)

Fight fans comically buzzed about Green’s potential in MMA. See the fan reaction to the incident.

https://twitter.com/Emoks164349/status/1724633258712051946

Tom Aspinall was recently crowned as the interim UFC heavyweight champion. Jon Jones is the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion. Draymond Green who is 6’5″ and has an 85″ reach, was deemed as an ideal opponent for either of the champions by the MMA fans on X (formerly Twitter). However, Aspinall and Jones are some of the most well-rounded heavyweights in MMA history. Green has no chance whatsoever in that hypothetical scenario.

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