Morning Report: Dana White talks 'liking' Rampage Jackson, being happy for Tito Ortiz and why Brock Lesnar would never sign with Bellator, UFC president Dana White had a bit of a rough start to the week.
Blaming the letdown of Monday's 'The Time is Now' event on his public relations staff, White was then asked for his take on Bellator's recent ratings success during an appearance on TSN's On The Record.
Headlined by UFC Hall of Famers Tito Ortiz and Stephan Bonnar, Saturday's Bellator 131 event averaged 1.8 million viewers making it the most watched fight in the promotion's history.
"That thing was a free fight on free TV," White said. "Yea, it's going to pull some numbers. They're both big-name guys. I'm happy for Tito and Bonnar. Those guys are getting paid, that's really about it."
Unlike boxing promoter Bob Arum, White didn't appear to bear any malice towards Ortiz, someone he's had a publicly tumultuous relationship with for years.
"To be honest with you, the 'Tito thing' is old, it's over," said White. "I could care less anymore. When Tito and I were a lot younger we used to battle about a lot of things. I'm happy for the guy. He's making money, he's getting paid. Good for him."
Staying on fellow former UFC blue chips, White was asked whether or not he 'liked' former light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson.
"I like Rampage Jackson," said White. "Rampage and I have a very unique relationship in that all the stuff that goes on publicly, behind the scenes we square away. He's a good dude."
Jackson had been vocal of his dissatisfaction with how the UFC treated him during his six-year tenure with the company, but now seems to regret having left for Bellator's greener pastures.
Just a thought.. But I've learned a big lesson in life and business: sometimes u should just stay with the devil u know @ufc
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 18, 2014
White has seen Ortiz, Bonnar, Randy Couture and even Royce Gracie earn paychecks at Bellator, but he isn't worried about a certain former heavyweight champion jumping ship.
"Brock Lesnar wouldn't go to Bellator," said White. "Brock wants to fight the best guys in the world. The best guys in the world are [in the UFC].
