Dana White tells Adama Diop his fight was 'horrible' and says Herb Dean 'f***ed up'

White still handed contracts to Diop and to Ian Escuza, whose win he thinks should have been a no contest because of an illegal knee.

Dana White told Adama Diop his fight was one of the worst he had seen on the Contender Series, then gave him a UFC contract anyway.

"Your fight was horrible, sloppy, and one of the worst fights I've ever seen on the Contender Series," White told Diop after the show. "Your stand-up is horrible, you tried to wrestle your way to a win until the crowd started booing you out of this place... You're 31 years old, so if you don't get this opportunity tonight, what are you gonna do... Don't f***ing make me regret this... Welcome to the UFC." Diop beat Zaurbek Sabanov by TKO in the second round.

White was just as blunt about Ian Escuza's win. Escuza stopped Luca Borando in 32 seconds, but landed an illegal knee in the finishing flurry. Referee Herb Dean did not call it, and the Nevada Athletic Commission reviewed the replay and let the TKO stand.

"Unfortunately for you, I disagree with the athletic commission," White told Escuza. "I think this fight should've been a no contest. It was an illegal knee. I don't think it was intentional, but not the way it should've played out." At the post-fight news conference he said: "Herb Dean has been around for a long f***ing time. It's not like he's green and he needs some work. He f***ed up."

Escuza still got a contract, on the advice of UFC matchmaker Sean Shelby. "Sean Shelby just fought hard for you in the back," White said. "Don't make Sean regret this." All four winners on the card were signed, including England's George Staines.

READ NEXTSimon Jordan on Eddie Hearn: 'I'd rather spend five minutes with Dana White'Read the next story →

Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing

Add Combat Sports UK as a preferred source on Google