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Dana White: "I'm too old for this sh*t" | Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn Press Conference
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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 (82 segments)
M
Moderator0:03
All right. What's up, New York? Thanks for coming out to media day. We appreciate it.
R
Reporter0:09
Who's got the first question? Dana, over here. Dana out here. I guess I wanted to ask, obviously Ryan and Connor are up there. Ryan, maybe this is a question for you. What involvement does Oscar De La Hoya have in this fight?
R
Ryan Garcia0:28
What? Not a lot, I guess. He said... what does Oscar have involvement with this? I mean, he's part of it, right?
C
Connor Benn0:40
Yeah. Yeah. He's cool.
R
Ryan Garcia0:42
So they're co-promoters with Ryan and our company, Ryan Garcia Promotions. So they're partners with us. That's it.
R
Reporter0:52
And also, I'm not sure, this might be for Connor and for Ryan, both of you. There's a bit of history when it comes to the drug testing. Are either of you concerned about the other?
C
Connor Benn1:04
No, not concerned in the slightest. He can do whatever he wants. All I'm doing is focusing on what I'm doing, and I'm going to go in there and batter him September the 12th.
R
Reporter1:12
And Ryan,
R
Ryan Garcia1:15
No, I'm not worried at all. He could be juiced up all he wants. I'm still going to knock him out, so it doesn't really matter.
R
Reporter1:22
Thank you.
M
Moderator1:27
Go ahead. Who's got the next question?
S
Sir Wilkins1:29
Hey, how are you guys? My name is Sir Wilkins from the JavaSc. What's going on? What does it mean to be at home in MSG with Dana White promoting your fight and you're undefeated? How does that feel right now?
E
Edgar Berlanga1:51
It feels great. It feels like a dream come true being back at home in MSG with Dana White being my promoter. I feel like this is a long time coming. Dana, when we first met, the first thing he told me was that he showed his interest, how much he believed in me, and making sure that by the time in this whole journey, by the time in New York City, I won't need no reservation to go anywhere. That was the exact words he said to me, and that showed me how much he believed in me. I'm trying to take my career to the furthest level I can. So it starts July 26th, and I think the building is going to be crazy. We got my brother Edgar Berlanga on the card with me, and I'm going to start it off and he's going to end it.
R
Reporter2:31
All right. This question is for Dana. Mr. White, what made you decide to start this promotion? What was the vision behind it and what was the inspiration?
D
Dana White2:42
Well, I've been talking about boxing for a long time and things that I thought, you know, the sport that I love. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for boxing. A lot of things that I thought could be done better and fixed and changed. To be honest with you, a couple years ago, I met Turki Alalshikh and I probably wouldn't have got into boxing if it wasn't for him. He sort of dragged me into this thing. And now that we've got rolling here, I love it. I love what we're building here. I love what we're doing. I love the guys we're doing business with. I'm having a lot of fun.
R
Reporter3:18
Thank you so much. Congratulations to all the fighters on stage. Good luck.
D
Dana White3:23
Thank you, sir.
M
Moderator3:25
Go ahead. Who's got the next question?
M
Matt Welty3:26
This is Matt Welty from Complex. Question for Connor Benn. Ryan says he's going to steal your aura during the fight. How do you feel about that?
C
Connor Benn3:35
No, I mean, listen, he's like a big child. He's like a spoiled brat. Throws his toys out of the pram on social media, throwing little tantrums. I'm not really too concerned about this little influencer to my right. He ain't a fighter. He can say whatever he wants. It ain't going to make no difference come September the 12th. Proven. Yeah. 12 round war proven. I don't quit. I don't say that.
R
Ryan Garcia3:56
He's not going to make it to 12. There's not going to be a 12 round war. I promise you that. He's not good enough. Look at his hair, bro. He's looking for attention. He ain't going to make it past 12. I promise you this not be a 12 round war. He's not good enough. He's not good enough to beat me. You think this man's going to beat me? You think I'm going to let a guy from the UK come here and beat me and take my belt? You lost your mind.
C
Connor Benn4:20
You lost. Ryan, Ryan, calm down. You're having one of them little episodes. Calm down. I know you're getting all excited, bro.
R
Ryan Garcia4:29
I know you're getting all excited, but I'll come over there and smack them glasses straight off your face. Crazy. I don't understand. You understand? I'll come over them glasses straight off your face. That's what I'll do. Sitting there.
C
Connor Benn4:39
You won't do [ __ ] I promise you won't do [ __ ] I promise you won't do. You won't do [ __ ] You won't do [ __ ]
R
Ryan Garcia4:51
Who want to do [ __ ] Who want to do [ __ ] Who want to do [ __ ] Who want to do [ __ ]
C
Connor Benn4:57
Yeah. Yeah. He won't do [ __ ]
R
Ryan Garcia4:59
Who want to do [ __ ] Yeah. Cool. WAIT TILL I SMACK YOU UP. WAIT TILL I SMACK YOU UP AND MAKE YOU QUIT. WAIT TILL I SMACK YOU UP AND MAKE YOU QUIT.
C
Connor Benn5:10
YEAH. WHY?
R
Ryan Garcia5:10
MAKE YOU QUIT. HEY, YOU WON'T MAKE IT. YOUR DAD KNOWS YOU WON'T MAKE IT. PROVE YOUR DAD. YOU QUIT. YOU QUIT. YOU HAVE NO HEART. YOU'RE NOT BROKEN HEART. Making a bad thing for making a bed.
M
Moderator5:45
I'm getting too old for this [ __ ] WHO'S GOT THE NEXT QUESTION? AND JUST, Dana, for you...
R
Reporter5:58
Being that this is in New York City, are you inviting or expecting mom Donnie to show up to the fight?
D
Dana White6:05
I have no clue. Sir, you stood in line to ask me that question. Does anybody have an actual question in that line?
S
Sebastian Miller6:16
Hey, Mr. Dana White, this one's for you. Sebastian Miller with Sportico and the Boxing Mom. You put on some iconic fights on the UFC front in great venues like the Sphere and the White House recently. On the boxing front, you have MSG. What are some other dream locations or venues for you in the future?
D
Dana White6:33
Well, to be honest with you, what I like to do is I like to do regular arenas where every fan can have a good experience. I don't chase those kind of events. If they organically happen and I feel it, I do it. But what I try to do is put on an event where everybody has a good experience and all the seats feel great. That's what I'm into, making sure the fans get great experiences on TV and in the live venue. I don't really think about that kind of stuff, but when it pops up, I jump on it.
S
Sebastian Miller7:03
Thank you.
M
Moderator7:06
Go ahead. Who's got the next question?
R
Reporter7:08
Dana, this is... Zuffa Boxing's off to an amazing start right now. How can you continue to make sure that Zuffa Boxing becomes as big as the UFC? What's the question? Am I worried about boxing becoming bigger than UFC? No. Becoming just as big as the UFC.
D
Dana White7:23
Listen, I'm into all combat sports. I like all types of fighting. If you look at the cast up on this stage here today, these are all great fights, and that's all I care about. What I care about is putting on the best fights with the best fighters in the world and giving the fans a great live and television experience. That's definitely going to happen with everybody that's sitting up here today. I hope I answered your question.
R
Reporter7:50
Thank you. Appreciate it.
D
Dana White7:50
Thank you.
A
Adam Bernard7:53
Hey guys, Adam Bernard from the Sports. This question is for Steven Butler. Sir, I just want to know what's it like getting the opportunity to box inside the world's greatest arena, Madison Square Garden.
S
Steven Butler8:05
First of all, I want to thank Zuffa and my eyes of Tiger promotion to make this fight happen. I'm very excited to fight here in New York. But for myself, a ring is a ring. You can put me wherever you want. A ring is a ring. But yeah, I appreciate all the moment of this fight.
A
Adam Bernard8:25
Thank you.
R
Reporter8:28
Question for Connor Benn. Connor, obviously Ryan has a history of acting out at press conferences. Were you expecting this sort of energy from him today?
C
Connor Benn8:36
It don't really make no difference to me what he does. Ultimately, I can't wait to put my fist through his head, through his skull. September 12th. That's it. He can talk and throw his toys out of the pram and have his little flare ups, his tantrum things that he does. It don't make no difference to me. I've dealt with weirder.
R
Reporter8:54
Ryan, what exactly are you drinking over there?
R
Ryan Garcia8:58
All black coffee.
R
Reporter9:01
What do you think of Connor Benn? Obviously, he's had some accusations of being maybe inconsistent with his performances. Had those great fights with Eubank. What do you think of him as an opponent?
R
Ryan Garcia9:10
If I look at his career, he's only fought guys that are on the way out. He's never fought a young, hungry, talented fighter. This is actually his first time ever doing it. So we're going to see what he has. He's rushed into this position. So we're going to show him what happens when you rush into something you're not ready for. And this is a promise.
R
Reporter9:31
And Connor, obviously, you've made no secret of chasing that world title. It means a lot to you, but what means more to you? Is it winning the title or is it beating Ryan Garcia and maybe silencing him after some of these words?
C
Connor Benn9:42
No, I mean listen, I take it with a pinch of salt. I couldn't care less what he says. It really don't bother me. He talks a lot of talk, but ultimately it's getting that title. Claiming that number one spot. He says this has been rushed. He's been 10 years in the making. He got his ass handed to him by Roelly and then magically got a world title shot. I'm coming off the back of fight of the year up at middleweight. Avenging my last got beat up.
R
Ryan Garcia10:07
Avengers. His face was squished by progress. 40 years old. This man beat me. He's having another tantrum. This is what he does. He has another tantrum.
C
Connor Benn10:17
Keep talking, bro. Like I said, you're going to get handed to him.
R
Ryan Garcia10:20
You're going to get knocked out under WBC World Title. Hey, Turki. And I'm here to take off. That's it. And that's what I'm here to do. Hey yo, Turki, thank you for this opportunity. I'm going to knock him out five and below. A shout out Turki. Shout out Dana. I will come to Vegas to see this fight. I will come. But now here is the boss. Here is the boss of Zuffa. His call.
M
Moderator10:51
All right. Who's got the next question?
K
Kiki10:53
Hi, I'm Kiki. My question is for Ryan Garcia. What's some advice that you would want to give to upcoming boxers?
R
Ryan Garcia11:04
I would say to put all your efforts into training, to make sure that you pay attention to all aspects of the sport: promotion, marketing, but plus your talent. Talent is first. Working hard is first, and then everything else will come after.
M
Moderator11:22
Go ahead.
S
Sir Wilkins11:25
Hey, I'm back again. Mr. Garcia, many fighters are super focused on their craft. You have become a social media phenomenon, and that's one of the reasons why you're headlining this event. But many people will argue social media has been a distraction for you, especially for this upcoming fight, and you're going up against a guy like Benn himself. Do you think that your mindset has been right for this fight?
R
Ryan Garcia11:50
Oh yeah, 100%. They've been saying that my whole career. 'Oh, I'm worried about social media.' Social media. This is nothing new. I'm not worried about if I stream, if I don't stream. That's not even in the back of my mind at all.
R
Reporter12:07
All right, this last question is for Fales. How are you, brother? You're one of the least known fighters in this whole card. How do you feel about coming into this? Do you feel you have something to prove? Well, not tonight, but July 26.
F
Fales12:54
Okay. He says thank you very much for your question. He knows that he is one of the less known fighters in this contest, but he says that he is going to show what Mexico is made of and he is going to surprise people here in this fight.
R
Reporter13:16
So final question, Hitchens. You just heard what he just said. Now do you feel the pressure? You're undefeated. Is this going to be your first loss in front of your hometown?
R
Richard Hitchens13:27
He said what?
R
Reporter13:28
He said he's going to surprise a lot of people.
R
Richard Hitchens13:31
I mean, that's what he's supposed to say. When we get in there and the fists start flying, we're going to see what you're about. I know what I'm about. I've been here before. There's no point of talking. We both here. It's time to fight. We're a few days away and we're going to make it happen. I believe in myself. He believes in himself. It's going to be a great fight for the fans.
R
Reporter13:49
Do you feel more comfortable at your current weight? Because we know you came back from 140.
R
Richard Hitchens13:53
Yeah, I feel super comfortable at this weight. This training camp hasn't been about losing weight, having to do extra miles and run 10 miles and doing the necessary work just to make a weight class. I'm way more comfortable. I've been focused on just Ricardo Solace, and July 26th we're going to get the fans a great fight. I'm excited to be back home in New York City. That's what it's about, competing against the best. They said Ricardo Solace is the guy to bring out the best in me. We'll see you next week.
M
Moderator14:27
Go ahead.
R
Reporter14:28
How you doing guys? My question is for Berlanga. How excited are you to be at Madison Square Garden next week, and are you excited to get that title shot later this year?
E
Edgar Berlanga14:39
Well, I'm excited, man, to be performing once again at Madison Square Garden. Shout out to Dana White. Shout out to Zuffa. Shout out to Keith Connley for making this fight happen. I'm excited to be headlining once again in my city, Madison Square Garden. And for world titles, first and foremost, I got to get ready, be locked in on this dude on the 26th. Handle my business, and then we look forward to chasing those titles. And one more question, more of a generalized question. Guys are here at Fanatics Fest. There's so many big things going on. How does it feel to have this spotlight on all of your talents?
R
Reporter15:18
So, can you speak a little bit louder?
E
Edgar Berlanga15:21
Yes. So, to be here at Fanatics Fest around so many big different companies. How does it feel to have this spotlight and all the great things you guys do? This is the biggest. That's one of the reasons why we signed with Dana White, for stuff like this. This is amazing, to be hosting the first press conference. I got here alone, my brother Richard Hitchens, Ryan Garcia, Connor Benn, and our opponents. This is amazing. This is big for boxing, the sport of boxing, and just mingling with the greats. All the legends are here tonight. So it's a great opportunity.
M
Moderator15:59
Go ahead, sir. Question for Edgar Berlanga.
R
Reporter16:02
I guess we just talked backstage for people that haven't heard. What's the last 12 months been like for you, and headlining another marquee event here in New York City?
E
Edgar Berlanga16:12
Oh, it's amazing, man. Dana came... I really wanted my brother to headline. He's a world champion at 140 and stuff, but they came and said, 'Listen, man, you're going to be headlining in Madison Square Garden.' I took the task. It's my city. We're going to turn up. I'm excited. This is a great opportunity to once again showcase who I am and stamp my name in the 168 division and just keep chasing these world titles.
R
Reporter16:41
And question for Solace. I saw an interview where you said you wanted to fight Hitchens, you wanted to fight Connor Benn, you wanted to fight Rodriguez. It didn't matter the order, but then you said, 'Maybe I should fight Hitchens first because after I get through with the other two, he might go into witness protection.' He's there now. You're up there with Connor Benn. What's it like being up on stage with a bunch of people you want to fight?
R
Ricardo Solace17:02
Okay.
R
Reporter17:11
If you're talking to Adrian Broner, you said 147. I don't think Connor's going to make it. You're up there with him now. How does the energy feel with him?
R
Ricardo Solace17:20
I'm just basing that off of him struggling to get down to 149. He didn't look too well at that weight. So to go an extra 2 lb seems like it would be tough. His trainer did say that he only had five to six weeks, so that might change things, but he didn't look too good at 149 lbs. That's why I said that.
R
Reporter17:42
Thank you.
M
Moderator17:44
All right, we're going to rip this stuff out of here and do some faceoffs. Thanks for showing up. We appreciate you, New York. We'll see you soon. Hey.