The MMA Digest

Photo: JoeRogan.net

A lot of people are talking about this clip with Joe Rogan talking about Dana White’s assessment of Fedor. There is a transcript of it as well at the end of this post.

Dana White has berated Fedor’s skills quite a bit lately after not being able to sign the Russian heavyweight. While well versed MMA fans know it’s nonsense, the casual fan probably isn’t as aware and may buy into the White’s heavyweight ranking of Fedor based on his business relationship he had with him. Even though a simple Sherdog fight finder search would show Fedor has two wins over their current heavyweight champ in Nogueira, the casual fan often can be swayed by statements from White. Which is why he made them in the first place.

It reminds me of a grievance Matt Lindland had, where Dana White allegedly made comments to the effect that Dan Henderson is 10 times the fighter Lindland is. Lindland took exception to the comment and noted that the casual new MMA fan, who is not a die-hard internet devotee, will tend to believe such statements.

But I respect the fact Rogan is willing to say his boss “talks a lot of s__t.”

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Caller (Dustin): Hey Joe, I wanted to know what you were thinking about Dana White talking shit on Fedor, and whether you agree with him or not?

Rogan: I do not agree with Dana White’s assessment of Fedor, I think Fedor is probably the greatest heavyweight in the world…

Host: Fedor is a guy who’s been fighting for a long time?

Rogan: …He’s a Russian guy, his name is Fedor Emelianenko, he’s this f___n machine from Russia, he’s an amazing fighter, he’s so technical, he’s one of the most unusual fighters ever because he’s this dominant attacking guy, but if you get him on his back he will f__k you up from his back. He’ll armbar you in a second, he did it to Mark Coleman twice. And the way he does it–he moves his hips like a lightweight man. The dude just catches submissions from all over the place. And he’s just f___n so durable, the dude is so bad ass, he comes at people with no emotion, and they call him a cyborg, literally it’s because of his fighting style…he’s not only the best heavyweight in the world, I think he’s one of the best pound for pound MMA fighters in the world. But you know what, Dana White is a businessman, and when Dana White doesn’t sign a deal with someone you think he’s going to pump him up? No, he’s going to throw them in the garbage. Same s__t that he did with Wanderlei Silva, but when Wanderlei was free and clear and he could come to the UFC, then he pumped Wanderlei back up and told everybody what he really feels about Wanderlei. He talks a lot of shit, but that’s why he’s good at his job.

Caller (Dustin): Hey Joe, I wanted to know what you were thinking about Dana White talking shit on Fedor, and whether you agree with him or not?

Rogan: I do not agree with Dana White’s assessment of Fedor, I think Fedor is probably the greatest heavyweight in the world…

Host: Fedor is a guy who’s been fighting for a long time?

Rogan: …He’s a Russian guy, his name is Fedor Emelianenko, he’s this f___n machine from Russia, he’s an amazing fighter, he’s so technical, he’s one of the most unusual fighters ever because he’s this dominant attacking guy, but if you get him on his back he will f__k you up from his back. He’ll armbar you in a second, he did it to Mark Coleman twice. And the way he does it–he moves his hips like a lightweight man. The dude just catches submissions from all over the place. And he’s just f___n so durable, the dude is so bad ass, he comes at people with no emotion, and they call him a cyborg, literally it’s because of his fighting style…he’s not only the best heavyweight in the world, I think he’s one of the best pound for pound MMA fighters in the world. But you know what, Dana White is a businessman, and when Dana White doesn’t sign a deal with someone you think he’s going to pump him up? No, he’s going to throw them in the garbage. Same s__t that he did with Wanderlei Silva, but when Wanderlei was free and clear and he could come to the UFC, then he pumped Wanderlei back up and told everybody what he really feels about Wanderlei. He talks a lot of shit, but that’s why he’s good at his job.