Dana White Addresses Fighters Calling for “Money Fights”

Speaking to reporters in what’s become a very rare pre-fight media scrum this week (via MMAjunkie), UFC President Dana White answered questions about the changes to UFC 209, which lost a major co-main event title bout between Khabib Nurmagomedov and Tony Ferguson this week. He also commented on fighters who are constantly calling for money fights and challenging Conor McGregor. Below are some highlights from the scrum.

White on being tired of the money fight term: “I’m getting tired of the term ‘money fights.’ (They say), ‘I want the money fights. I want the money fights.’ What? are you all going to move down and fight Conor? Listen, there’s no bones about it: Conor is the guy. Conor brings in big gates, big pay-per-view numbers and everything else. Shut up if you don’t. If you’re not him, shut up.”

White on how fighters who want the money fights are not money fighters: “Guys are talking about money fights, and I’m like, ‘You’re not a money fight.’ OK? You’re going to make whatever you’re going to make, and if you’re a good champion, your fight sells, and you’re going to do pay-per-views and be part of the pay-per-view. If you’re not that big pay-per-view star, shut up and fight.”