Farid Basharat says Dana White comments on his UFC exit damaged him
Basharat, who went 7-0 in the UFC and was ranked in the top 10 before not being offered a new contract, has not ruled out a return but said he does not need the promotion to succeed.
Farid Basharat has said Dana White's remarks about his departure from the UFC hurt his reputation, after the promotion chose not to offer him a new contract despite an unbeaten 7-0 record and a top 10 ranking.
Basharat has already denied turning down fights or having a poor relationship with the UFC's matchmakers, but said White's words still painted him in a bad light. He said: “The problem is Dana’s got such an influence and power that when he says something, everyone takes it as factual.”“Although I think he was talking generally or quite broadly or vaguely, it did damage to me.” He added that people now accuse him of refusing fights and of being difficult with staff, claims he called ridiculous.
Basharat said his objections were not aimed at White personally, as he does not believe White deals with fighters' contract negotiations any more. His only dealings with White have been handshakes at weigh-ins and at the Contender Series, where he said White spoke glowingly about him and decided to sign him. Basharat believes the decisions about his contract were made by people below White, and said he has only improved since joining the UFC.
His manager has told him he is in contact with every organisation about a possible deal, though nothing is imminent. Basharat, who recently had surgery, said he is in no rush to book a fight.
He would not rule out returning to the UFC if offered another chance, saying it had always been his dream, but that it would depend on how the promotion views him. He admitted he was not in its good books before his exit and could not imagine that had improved since. He said: “We’ll have to see when the time comes. Basically what I’m trying to say is I don’t need the UFC to have a successful career and do well.”
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