Dana White cites Alex Pereira in response to Joe Rogan's "gimmick" remarks about the UFC White House card
UFC head honcho Dana White has issued his response to longtime colleague Joe Rogan's "gimmick" remarks regarding UFC Freedom 250. White cited Alex Pereira's example to counter Rogan's assertion.
UFC CEO and president Dana White has addressed Joe Rogan's past comments concerning the high-profile UFC Freedom 250 event.
Rogan, a podcast mogul and longtime UFC color commentator, is expected to commentate at the event. However, he's consistently criticized it -- warning that outdoor elements such as gnats, high temperatures, and potential rainfall/precipitation, etc., could inconvenience the athletes competing on the card.
The stand-up comedian is one of many fans and experts who've expressed concerns that UFC Freedom 250 could be adversely affected by the outdoor setting where it'll transpire.
For context, the event will be held outdoors, under a special lighting grid, a gigantic structure referred to as "The Claw," constructed on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on June 14.
Joe Rogan's much-discussed remarks on UFC Freedom 250
Incidentally, both Dana White and Joe Rogan have often advocated for professional mixed martial arts events to be held inside arenas rather than outdoors or in an open-arena setting.
They've often highlighted that organizing fights in a controlled environment -- at a normal temperature with air conditioning, bereft of pests such as gnats and other outdoor variables such as rainfall -- makes for an ideal competitive setup.
Around the 11:00-minute mark of episode No. 2471 of his JRE (Joe Rogan Experience) podcast in March of this year, Joe Rogan spoke about the same with his guest, fellow American comedian Mark Normand. When asked why he wasn't looking forward to the UFC White House card, Rogan stated, "Well, it's kind of a gimmick. There's that. And, you know, people are criticizing the card."
Rogan indicated that although the matchups would've constituted a great card for any other event, they've probably let the audience down because it didn't live up to the gargantuan hype with which the White House event was initially promoted.
Furthermore, Rogan also questioned the event's timing from a geopolitical perspective, given that the United States has lately been embroiled in the war against Iran.
Check out Rogan's take on the UFC at the White House card below:
Dana White uses Alex Pereira's example as a counter to Joe Rogan's assessment of the UFC White House card
During a recent conversation with Forbes, Dana White responded to Joe Rogan's comments. He stated, "Joe Rogan is a grown-a** man, who has his own opinions on different things. And yes, we are really good friends."
White suggested that although they're friends, he doesn't call Rogan up and question him about everything he says, adding that everyone can have their own opinions. He indicated that some of Rogan's concerns about the outdoor environment of the White House event, including bugs, were valid.
Nevertheless, seemingly disagreeing with Rogan's take that the event's a gimmick, White cited how it features Alex Pereira's historic attempt to become the first to win UFC world titles in three separate weight classes.
Former UFC middleweight and light heavyweight champion Pereira is booked to fight ex-UFC interim heavyweight champ Ciryl Gane for the interim UFC heavyweight belt. The winner would be up against heavyweight kingpin Tom Aspinall in a title unifier when Aspinall returns from his eye injury break.
White explained, "Whatever Joe Rogan's opinions are -- he had said something crazy like, 'It seems like a gimmick.' I mean, what does a gimmick mean? It's a real fight with real stakes. You've got Pereira possibly winning his third world title."
Claiming that Pereira would even surpass former two-division UFC champ and MMA great Jon Jones if he wins at UFC Freedom 250, White said, "If he wins the third world title that night, he jumps over Jon Jones and becomes the greatest of all time."
Moreover, White reaffirmed that there's "nothing gimmicky" about the UFC White House event. He underscored that it's a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, all the U.S. military representatives would be in attendance, and each fight on the card is significant from a sporting perspective.
Watch Dana White's response to Joe Rogan's remarks below (*comments at the 9:20-minute mark of the video):
