OC register reporter TJ Simers goes head-to-head with Dana White at a lunch restaurant. In case you want to tell the reporter what you think of him 😉
tjsimers@ocregister.com
A short video covering some of the conversation.
Sitting with Dana White now. He’s applauding ESPN for coverage they’ve done.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana saying that things he says about fighters (negative things) are no schtick. Reporter next to me wondering if it’s real.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana now saying they will definitely be bigger than the NFL. He’s said it before, he admits. Doesn’t think he’s crazy.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
I’m literally sitting between Dana and a reporter arguing. Offered my seat to reporter, but said “You make a good buffer.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana went to “Fighting is in our DNA.” Reporter argues against it, saying that’s just not true.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana now demanding PR rep to put together growth chart from UFC 100 to now for reporter.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana stands up from lunch table because “I’m getting fired up.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
White now touting how Jones-Gustafsson was a seller for star power. Still standing up.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Ok, he sat down, eating his salad now.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana on UFC vs. boxing numbers: “We destroy their numbers.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana says they have a company in India that take illegal PPV streams down when they go up.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter tells Dana: “I love your passionate speech that was all bullshit.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana says they beat the NBA. Reporter says not according to Harris poll. Dana says he’ll send him facts. “I’ll bury you in facts.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter: You still doing that reality show?
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana and reporter now arguing about saving peoples lives through training in MMA. Reporter says “You can’t tell me punching saves lives!”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dammit. Lunch entrees just showed up to interrupt things.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter to Dana: “Your gift is the ability to argue.” Dana: “Your gift is not accepting facts.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter now eating his lunch, no more questions for Dana. Now letting other reporters ask questions. He called us all Dana’s “brethren.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Oop, here we go again.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter: “What does it feel like to rule the world? The moves you make, you’re in control.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter to Dana: You’re a manipulator. You’re teaching your fighters how to manipulate. You’re a marketer.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter asks Dana one more question. Dana: “Next question.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter to Dana: “Why can’t you get into New York?” I took a deep breath.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter: “$54.99?!” regarding PPV price.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Reporter accuses Dana of making a character with the way he is.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana begins to refute it, saying that he sells fights, but doesn’t sell anything he doesn’t believe in.
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
Dana just told me he got all the facts on paper to give to the reporter. He referred to the reporter as “Negator.”
— Erik Fontanez (@Erik_Fontanez) January 27, 2014
