Sat Mar 07, 2009 4:10 pm EST
White puts on earmuffs when Jardine-Evans say they won't fight
The main event at UFC 96 will determine what the summer looks like for UFC light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans. A dominant, quick win by Quinton Jackson over Keith Jardine could mean an Evans-Rampage showdown at UFC 100 or maybe even UFC 98. We should find out tonight if Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir are still fighting in May. If that main event hole for 98 is open don't be shocked if Jackson is brought back quickly to face Evans in Las Vegas.
But what if Jardine pulls the upset? White said Thursday, Lyoto Machida would get the first shot at Evans. After that, Jardine might be the logical opponent. Evans and Jardine don't want to fight. They are on the same fight team, Jackson's, and have said repeatedly, no way, no how. White's not closing the door on squaring off teammates:
"Rashad and Keith saying they won't fight each other, la-la-la-la, I don't listen to that. I don't hear that (expletive). They're going to fight each other. This isn't (expletive) baseball, it's not a team. Larry Holmes was Muhammed Ali's sparring partner for years."
Watch White say there are no boundaries when it comes to matchmaking:
He says it's all part of the territory as a pro fighter:
"Many friends in boxing have fought each other. Kids who grew up together, they have dinner together every Sunday. It's not about 'I hate you and I want to kick your ass.' It's about we're two professional athletes and we want to find out who the best in the world is."
White makes a good case for a Jardine upset because of his kicks. If he does pull off the shocker, White said he'd like to see "The Dean of Mean" get one more big win before a title shot.
White also addresses those who think Machida is getting screwed by pushing Rampage in front of "The Dragon", the Rich Franklin-Wanderlei Silva fight and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.
He also says the next Primetime reality series will involve Evans and Jackson rather than Mir and Lesnar.
Cagewriter
Steve Cofield
Cagewriter is an MMA blog edited by Steve Cofield. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.
- Contributors:
- Maggie Hendricks, Zak Jensen,
Cagewriter | UFC
- Tito didn't win the battle but says he won the war
- November 23, 2009
- Griffin apologizes to Silva after UFC 106 win
- November 23, 2009
- UFC 106 postfight: White says call Kizer to fix scoring issues
- November 23, 2009
Featured UFC Video
-
UFC 106 Post Fight Press Conference with Forrest Griffin
Posted Nov 22 2009
-
UFC 106 Post Fight Press Conference with Dana White
Posted Nov 22 2009
-
UFC 106 Post Fight PC with Koscheck,Nogueira, and Sadollah
Posted Nov 22 2009
Y! Sports Blogs
-
Edited by MJD
-
Edited by 'Duk
-
Edited by J.E. Skeets
-
Edited by Greg Wyshynski
-
Edited by Matt Hinton
-
Edited by E. Brennan
-
Edited by Jay Busbee
-
Edited by Jay Busbee
-
Edited by Steve Cofield
-
Edited by Chris Chase
-
Edited by Chris Chase
-
Edited by Andy Behrens
5 Comments
1 - 5 of 5
Report Abuse
Bottom line, the matchmakers say he is next, suffer. I pray this does not go the boxing 'duck and excuse' way.
Now if i could only believe Jardine as a #1 contender.
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
Report Abuse
I have friends at work and if I am the better person for the promotion I still want it even over my friend. I will do my damndest to get it too. That doesn't mean I'll step on their toes or slander them to get it I will just be the better professional. I also understand sacrifice or lateral movement.
Jardine and Silva's decisions not to fight their teammates and sacrifice their shot at the titles are entirely personal and honour can supercede professionalism. I can respect that. And both guys know what they are sacrificing and how it will affect their "boss" and subsequently the fights they are given in the future. I can understand to their reluctance from a strategic point of view too. They know too well his fighting style, strengths, and weaknesses. The handicap needed to effectively work a winning game might be in their eyes much too intimate. Then there is this.. who says they have to fight their friend for the title? The friend/teammate may win the title for a while but they won't necessarily hang on to it forever as this game is very fluid. I think they would have to be in contention for another shot down the road and definitely have to work for it again but their is a way around these "diffculties" without forcing the hand.
Dana ~~~ You care what I think I can tell by your voice. ;-) LMFAO ~ XD ~
Money; what fights will sell tickets is the bottom line for Dana and the rest frankly. But from the fan perspective would you rather pay to see Jardine / Evans or Rampage/Evans? reguardless of who wins tonights fight? Or who would you rather see Jardine/Evans or Machida/Evans? If Jardine wins tonight. Consistancy though, works against Keith. I also think that he likes his gatekeeper status. But that is only my personal opinion on that.
Report Abuse
1 - 5 of 5