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Dana White: Conor McGregor's knee 'f*cked up,' says Kamaru Usman has 'still got it' | UFC OKC
UFC CEO Dana White spoke to reporters at the UFC Fight Night 281 post-fight press conference and talked Dricus Du Plessis beating Kamaru Usman, Conor McGregor's injury and more.
*Footage courtesy of UFC*
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About Dana White
Dana White, CEO of the UFC, has been focused on the promotion's "Freedom 250" event, which took place on the South Lawn of the White House in June 2026. White described the event as a career capstone and noted that it was more difficult to produce than the UFC's previous event at the Sphere, citing logistical challenges such as weather and security. He stated that the event was intended to create unity and celebrate America's 250th birthday, and he reported that it exceeded budget expectations by 40% and doubled the all-time merchandise sales record. White also addressed the UFC's competitive standing, asserting that the organization is now competing with major sports leagues like the NFL and NBA. White has also commented on several fighters. Following UFC 329, he stated that Conor McGregor suffered a knee injury, which he described as a "blown ACL," and said that McGregor would need surgery and physical therapy before any discussion of his return. White attributed the injury to McGregor's five-year layoff, noting that "father time is undefeated." Regarding Kamaru Usman, White said the fighter has "still got it" and has "done enough in his career," leaving future decisions up to him. White also criticized the UFC's production team for misidentifying boxer Shakur Stevenson as an NBA player during a broadcast, calling the organization "the absolute worst to ever do the celebrity thing."
Transcript (51 segments)
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Dana White0:00
So, the attendance was 17,173. It was a sellout. 3.18 million. That's the arena record. Um, and then France Ngannou uh were performance of the night and the main event won fight of the night. Any questions?
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Reporter0:19
Hey Dana, good to see you again. Want to ask you your opinion on Tommy, how his performance was tonight, and where you see his future going in the UFC.
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Dana White0:26
What did I think of his performance?
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Reporter0:28
And where you see his future going.
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Dana White0:30
I thought he was incredible. Yeah. We were coming back from New York. We had a press conference in New York today, and then uh we're flying back, and we were watching the fights. So, I didn't see it here. We're watching the fights, and we're coming up on OKC. I said, 'Fuck it.' I told the pilot to land. I said, 'We'll watch the main event here.' And uh it all worked out, but I only saw the co-main and main live. Crowd here is awesome. This is such a great place. Uh, we will be back.
L
Lena1:01
Um two of the feather um of your featherweights made history tonight with takedown records and the most strikes within 15 minutes. What are your thoughts about that?
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Dana White1:11
What's that, Lena?
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Lena1:13
Two of your featherweights tonight made records with takedowns and also strikes. So, what do you think about that? The fact that it two featherweights
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Dana White1:20
suck. I love it. Yes, I love it. Um yeah.
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Lena1:26
That's all I had.
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Dana White1:27
Thanks.
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Reporter1:28
Hey, what's going on, Dana? Hey, how are you? Sometimes you talk about when fighters are close to retirement and of their career, you recommend that's what they do. What do you think's next for Kamaru Usman?
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Dana White1:36
Yeah, I don't know. Um obviously a great fight, you know, fighting a much bigger guy, and uh he's got a great chin. He's still got it. It's not like uh it's like, 'Oh, Usman's done, and he should retire.' He had a great fight tonight. So, um yeah, I don't know. He's got to go home, rest, heal up, and figure out what's next.
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Reporter1:57
Just to piggyback off that Cannonier, I'm kind of in that same situation, but he's very, you know, reliable to put against up-and-coming talent. Now, how do you feel about, you know, his
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Dana White2:05
Yeah, I mean, that Listen, when they come in here, you got to get You guys got to ask them what they're what they're thinking about next. Um you know, both guys performed and and look good and not like you know, we've seen the holy [ __ ] those guys should retire fights. Those weren't it. Sorry, go ahead. What do you got?
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Reporter2:22
I'll go back to the victory here, DDP. Uh do you think he's earned the title shot compared to Imavov? Who do you think will be next against Strickland?
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Dana White2:31
I don't think about that [ __ ] tonight. Um you know, he just fought a great fight, looked good, and uh you know, we'll go go back to the lab on Tuesday and start kicking it around.
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Reporter2:42
Last one for me. Any update on Conor McGregor?
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Dana White2:45
He's having knee surgery. That's it. I mean, the the Conor McGregor discussion isn't even worth talking about. He's got to have knee surgery. He's going to have to go through physical therapy. It's all going to take time. And then when the doctor says you can start hardcore training again, then we start talking about Conor McGregor again.
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Reporter3:02
All right, Dana. Hope hope you're having a good night. Glad you could make it on the flight on the private flight, but you already mentioned you're going to be back here. It'd been nearly a decade since you've been here before, and I think everybody would like to see a promise for it to be, you know, less than a decade again.
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Dana White3:14
Um
I don't hear well, so bear with me.
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Reporter3:17
Yes.
Uh you mentioned the fact that we will be back
your mic is better than his mic? I'm I'm confused.
Uh it the fact that you mentioned that we're we'll be back after so many years of not being here, you already said we'll be back here.
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Dana White3:30
Yeah, we'll be back. And uh we were talking to the head of the commission here tonight, and the crowd here is incredible, and and uh and I love this city. It sucks I got to I got to fly right home. I wanted to hang out for a little while tonight, but not going to happen. Um and yes, we'll be back. I mean, we haven't even left yet, but we'll be back. I I don't know how soon, but love it here. Good?
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Reporter3:53
Uh Dana
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Dana White3:53
Yeah.
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Reporter3:54
Uh Dana, I got one right here. Did you get to see Tommy McMillan fight tonight? He's quickly becoming one of the most entertaining guys
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Dana White3:59
Yeah, yeah. I saw I watched it on the plane and then uh yeah, great. I mean
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Reporter4:04
What do you think of his performance?
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Dana White4:05
Incredible. Yeah.
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Reporter4:08
Uh Dana, just a couple of quick questions for the for Kamaru. Obviously, he's come up short a couple of times that he's fought at 185, but he's had decent showings and obviously taking on Dricus very tough opponent. Given the fact that he still looks like he can still perform at a pretty high level, would you prefer him to fight again at 185 or would you like to see him maybe drop back down to 170 where he looked pretty good?
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Dana White4:28
he's accomplished so much and and he's fighting, you know, literally the one or two best guy in the world uh who is way bigger than he is and uh you know, I think Kamaru's done enough in his career. It's up to him, you know. Again, these are questions you ask these guys when they come in here tonight about how they're feeling and how he feels with that weight and what he thinks he wants to do and, you know, it's questions for him. You know, it's not like he's some young guy that hasn't done anything. This guy's done it all, so
R
Reporter4:58
And then another question, you guys announced the Noche card tonight on the broadcast, but the main event was still TBD. Not going to ask you to reveal a main event, but are you guys getting close to figuring out what's going to be the main event on September 12th?
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Dana White5:10
A- about about the Noche card? What do you want to know? What's the main event?
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Reporter5:14
No, I I'm not going to ask you to reveal the main event cuz you would have you would announce it if but are you guys getting pretty close to nailing down what the main event
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Dana White5:21
I what in the war room, we have fights made all the way up until the end of October, so Yeah.
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Reporter5:29
And I promise I'm not trying to annoy you by asking you another Conor McGregor question cuz you've already been very clear he has to have surgery and everything like that, but I don't think it's actually been documented or anybody said what the exact injury was to his knee. Do you have any insight on
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Dana White5:41
know. Do you know? ACL. That's two. His knee's [ __ ] up.
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Reporter5:48
Yeah.
Obviously Muscogee Oklahoma kid Jacoby Smith was on the card. Unfortunately, he was not able to compete in front of his home state. Any update on what's next for Jacoby? Anything coming up quick for him?
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Dana White6:00
What's next for who?
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Reporter6:01
Jacoby Smith.
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Dana White6:03
What what what what What's the question?
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Reporter6:05
No, I was just wondering if there's something planned for Jacoby coming up quick. Obviously, he was on the card a week ago. Kevin Holland dropped out um with due to injury. I was just wondering
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Dana White6:14
I mean, no no no Normally, what we do is we turn guys around quickly if that happens to them and
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Reporter6:19
Absolutely. Just didn't know if there was a a plan for Jacoby coming up quick or not, but
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Dana White6:24
Cool.
Good to see you guys. I'm going home. Good night.