How WWE star Matt Riddle’s beef with UFC boss Dana White changed his career forever
Why was current WWE star Matt Riddle fired from the UFC? Is there a real-life beef between him and Dana White?
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matt riddle explains beef with dana white(image source MMAMania)
The current WWE star Matt Riddle seems to be on bad terms with UFC boss Dana White and the reason is pretty shocking. Riddle joined UFC in 2008 at the Ultimate Fighter 7 finale. He was active for 6 years in the company with a win-loss record of 8-3. However, it looks like UFC boss Dana White and Matt Riddle aren’t very fond of each other. Both of them came out and stated they wouldn’t ever work with each other in the future.
Matthew Riddle was released from the company in 2014 following his second positive test result for the illegal substance marijuana, following his win at UFC on Fuel 7. Riddle first tested positive for the substance in 2012 at UFC 149. He was suspended for a brief amount of time following his first positive test. He eventually came back and won a fight at UFC 154.
It is to be noted that Matt Riddle is from the state of Nevada, where marijuana is legal. However, it is on the list of banned substances for all competitive sports. One could argue that he was not in the wrong for using the substance, because it was legal in his hometown. But upon further inspection, it looks like the reason behind his release from the company goes far beyond just substance abuse.
Dana White addressed the release of Matt Riddle, saying that the usage of marijuana wasn’t the only reason for firing Riddle. Appearing in a conference, he said, “Everybody’s going to have an excuse of why they were cut. Matt Riddle did an interview before that fight where he said ‘I smoke weed so that I don’t beat my children’ then he tests positive for it. He’s a f—king moron, That’s why he’s not here. He’s cut because he’s a moron.”
The interview that Dana White is referring to is Riddle’s interview with MMAMania.com, where he talks about his marijuana use. Riddle said the following in the interview, “It makes me happy. Honestly, it probably keeps me from beating my three kids because they’re always screaming and crying at me and my wife’s wild and you know what life’s like,”
This controversial statement, along with his being tested positive twice for the drug, led to his release. After his release, when asked if he would ever return to the UFC in the future, Riddle replied with a resounding “No”. He went on to say that he predicts that after winning a few fights, the UFC will call him back after 1 or 2 years. And he would decline the offer. Dana White responded to Riddle’s claim, saying that the UFC would definitely not ask him back.
Related: Positive update on Matt Riddle’s WWE suspension, backstage news on his impending comeback
What is Matt Riddle doing now?
Matt Riddle is currently signed to WWE, where he performs under Monday Night RAW. He has been on the roster for quite some time, teaming up with Randy Orton for some time. Riddle was out of action for a few months due to an injury. He recently made his return on the latest episode of RAW attacking Solo Sikoa.
What’s interesting about the current situation, is that UFC’s parent company, Endeavor, recently purchased WWE. The two companies are now to be joined together to form a single large public company. So what would it mean for Matt Riddle, who was fired from UFC before? It probably won’t have any major consequences, but it would be interesting to see what WWE has in store for him.
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Srinjoy Ghosh Chowdhury
(52 Articles Published)