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"Oh, I'm so pumped for this fight, so pumped."
Dana White is on the phone from Los Angeles, a few hours before boarding for UFC 230 for her night flight to New York. Weighs and looks are coming to Madison Square Garden, but preparation for Saturday's main event … Defending champion, Daniel Cormier, faces Derrick Lewis, knockout enthusiast and belt enthusiast , was cordial, regardless of Lewis's half-cooked insistence that Cormier did not respect the fried chicken.
Admittedly, the same venom was not thrown up before UFC 229 in Las Vegas, where Khabib Nurmagomedov defended his lightweight title by bidding Conor McGregor before defending his honor by jumping into the crowd to attack one of the McGregor's friends. Later in the evening, White appeared in the press conference room, looking tired and embarrassed. "That's not what we're talking about," the UFC president told reporters. "It is not like that we are acting. It's a pity that the night most people watch, this show continues … "
In hindsight – of course, the skirmish at the edge of the cage kept the UFC in the general debate long after its disappearance if McGregor had simply exploited and that was all. There was then the post-fight interview given by Lewis, who first went viral for knocking out Alexander with 11 seconds to lose, then for informing everyone of the temperature of his testicles. No doubt this helped him to mark the opportunity on short notice to fight against Cormier, a UFC legend who plans to retire after his 40th birthday on March 20th.
Three days before the start of the map, White was discussing with SI.com Cormier's cemented legacy, Lewis's unrivaled power, the ramifications of the McGregor-Nurmagomedov brawl and the story he was always telling. about the crime leader of Boston, who died today, Whitey Bulger.
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<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Sports Illustrated: Describe it to me."data-reactid =" 28 ">Sports Illustrated: Describe it to me.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "Dana White: The main event? "Data-reactid =" 29 ">Dana White: The main event?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Yeah."data-reactid =" 30 ">SI: Yeah.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Well, Cormier, of course, just won his victory over Stipe [Miocic], and he is undefeated as a heavyweight, facing Derrick Lewis. This guy is still in the fight, man. He's swinging against the fences, trying to knock you out. And if he catches you, he usually does. "Data-reactid =" 31 ">DW: Well, Cormier, of course, just won his victory over Stipe [Miocic], and he is undefeated as a heavyweight, facing Derrick Lewis. This guy is still in the fight, man. He's swinging against the fences, trying to knock you out. And if he catches you, he usually does.
It is very fun, resistant, durable. I think it will be interesting.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Is it good to have a main card where the biggest beef is about fried chicken?"data-reactid =" 33 ">SI: Is it good to have a main card where the biggest beef is about fried chicken?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Yes, it's hilarious. It's funny. Popeyes should like that, right? I mean, come on. Unbelievable. "Data-reactid =" 34 ">DW: Yes, it's hilarious. It's funny. Popeyes should like that, right? I mean, come on. Unbelievable.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: It seems that there is a respect between these two types, that they recognize how everyone presented themselves."data-reactid =" 35 ">SI: It seems that there is a respect between these two types, that they recognize how everyone presented themselves.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Oh yes, absolutely. And I think everyone respects Daniel Cormier. He's such a good guy, so smart and so bad guy. His only defeat of his career is against Jon Jones, who I believe is the best of all time, and he never lost with the heavyweight. "Data-reactid =" 36 ">DW: Oh yes, absolutely. And I think everyone respects Daniel Cormier. He's such a good guy, so smart and so bad guy. His only defeat of his career is against Jon Jones, who I believe is the best of all time, and he never lost with the heavyweight.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Two questions, then. First of all, what is his legacy as it stands today? And what becomes of him if he defends the heavyweight title twice, then withdraws before his birthday, as he said?"data-reactid =" 37 ">SI: Two questions, then. First of all, what is his legacy as it stands today? And what becomes of him if he defends the heavyweight title twice, then withdraws before his birthday, as he said?
DW: I think Cormier is one of the best so far. Two-time world champion in two divisions. Not only what he accomplished in the octagon, as a broadcaster, I feel it's amazing, calling the fights with Rogan. I think this guy has a lot of talent.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: I think it's amazing that he's also a high school coach."data-reactid =" 39 ">SI: I think it's amazing that he's also a high school coach.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: This too. When you talk about someone who is your world champion, you could not ask a better human being than Daniel Cormier. "Data-reactid =" 40 ">DW: This too. When you talk about someone who is your world champion, you could not ask a better human being than Daniel Cormier.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: What do you think it says about him?"data-reactid =" 41 ">SI: What do you think it says about him?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Since this guy does not have the courage to do it, to be the champion of the UFC and all the broadcasting equipment, so that he spends time beside his family doing it too, speaks again of him as human. to be and a world champion. "data-reactid =" 42 ">DW: Since this guy does not have the courage to do it, to be the champion of the UFC and all the broadcasting equipment, so that he spends time beside his family doing it too, speaks again of him as human. to be and a world champion.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: put your career arc in context. How unique is it to go from heavyweight to lightweight and back, both at the same time and at the same age?"data-reactid =" 43 ">SI: put your career arc in context. How unique is it to go from heavyweight to lightweight and back, both at the same time and at the same age?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: I was going to say, forget all these other things, just the fact that he's still competing at this level at his age and that he's still one of the best absolutes in the world in two weight classes, it's amazing in itself, not to mention all the others it does. "data-reactid =" 44 ">DW: I was going to say, forget all these other things, just the fact that he's still competing at this level at his age and that he's still one of the best absolutes in the world in two weight classes, it's amazing in itself, not to mention all the others it does.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Is this a risky fight for him?"data-reactid =" 45 ">SI: Is this a risky fight for him?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Every fight is risky. But in the end, he does what a champion does. He fights the world number two. He faces everyone at the heavyweight, then comes to fight Stipe Miocic, finishes him in the first round, and he fights against the number two contender right now, a guy who knocked out Volkov as he did . "Data-reactid =" 46 ">DW: Every fight is risky. But in the end, he does what a champion does. He fights the world number two. He faces everyone at the heavyweight, then comes to fight Stipe Miocic, finishes him in the first round and is currently fighting against the number two, a guy who knocked out Volkov as he did.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: We had problems with this map of New York. And he is and has always been my favorite companion. I needed him and he said absolutely, I will fight, let's do it. "Data-reactid =" 52 ">DW: We had problems with this map of New York. And he is and has always been my favorite companion. I needed him and he said absolutely, I'm going to fight, let's do it.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: And how is Derrick selected?"data-reactid =" 53 ">SI: And how is Derrick selected?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Derrick also wanted the quick turnaround. I think that's what makes the fight so fun too, these guys are so tough that they take this fight in advance every month. "Data-reactid =" 54 ">DW: Derrick also wanted the quick turnaround. I think that's what makes the fight so much fun too. These guys are so tough that they take this fight in advance every month.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: What was your reaction to Volkov's KO?"data-reactid =" 55 ">SI: What was your reaction to Volkov's KO?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Saint – Soi, like the rest of the people who watched when he caught her. But you could see that Derrick was loading, trying to do everything in his power to get that big shot. "Data-reactid =" 56 ">DW: Saint – Soi, like the rest of the people who watched when he caught her. But you could see that Derrick was charging, trying to do everything in his power to win this big shot.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Given the origin of Derrick and his fight, would he it is the most unlikely heavyweight champion that the UFC has seen, if he won?"data-reactid =" 57 ">SI: Given the origin of Derrick and his fight, would he it is the most unlikely heavyweight champion that the UFC has seen, if he won?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Yeah yeah. I think so. In the end, when you're dealing with heavyweights who know how to hit, anything is possible. When you have a big heavyweight that has the power to eliminate, anything is possible. Look what George Foreman did to Michael Moorer. Whatever his age, he strikes so hard that he is still struggling. "Data-reactid =" 58 ">DW: Yeah yeah. I think so. In the end, when you're dealing with heavyweights who know how to hit, anything is possible. When you have a big heavyweight that has the power to eliminate, anything is possible. Look what George Foreman did to Michael Moorer. No matter how old he is, he hits so hard he's still fighting.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Do you remember the first time you heard about this fighter named Derrick Lewis?"data-reactid =" 59 ">SI: Do you remember the first time you heard about this fighter named Derrick Lewis?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: From memory, when these guys come into UFC and I start seeing them fight, it's when I really notice them. And I do not remember the fight he did, but I said, wow, the pleasure of this guy. "Data-reactid =" 60 ">DW: From memory, when these guys come into UFC and I start seeing them fight, it's when I really notice them. And I do not remember the fight that happened exactly, but I said, wow, the pleasure of this guy.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Do you have a "My Balls Was Hot" t-shirt?"data-reactid =" 61 ">SI: Do you have a "My Balls Was Hot" t-shirt?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: No. [laughing]"data-reactid =" 62 ">DW: No. [laughing]
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "IF: Do you think that contributed to his call for this fight?"data-reactid =" 63 ">IF: Do you think that contributed to his call for this fight?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: His interviews are always interesting. And he has the best Instagram on Instagram. The guy has a nice personality. It's fun to watch and listen to interviews. "Data-reactid =" 64 ">DW: His interviews are always interesting. And he has the best Instagram on Instagram. The guy has a nice personality. It's fun to watch and listen to interviews.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "IF: Why is this fight technically attractive?"data-reactid =" 65 ">IF: Why is this fight technically attractive?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: People like heavy trucks. In hell, this fight is not exciting. You can not ask for anything more than a heavyweight fight. Sometimes you can have guys whose style is not very attractive, but these two guys have attractive styles with unparalleled power. "Data-reactid =" 66 ">DW: People like heavy trucks. In hell, this fight is not exciting. You can not ask for anything more than a heavyweight fight. Sometimes you can have guys whose style is not very attractive, but these two have attractive styles with exceptional power.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Is the plan for Brock Lesnar always to fight Cormier?"data-reactid =" 67 ">SI: Is the plan for Brock Lesnar always to fight Cormier?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Finally, yes. "Data-reactid =" 68 ">DW: Finally, yes.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "IF: Is it already locked? Do you have a targeted date?"data-reactid =" 69 ">IF: Is it already locked? Do you have a targeted date?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: I do not. Next year, it is safe. "Data-reactid =" 70 ">DW: I do not. The next year, of course.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: What were the latest UFC 229 pay-per-view figures?"data-reactid =" 71 ">SI: What were the latest UFC 229 pay-per-view figures?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Yes. A very well done. One of the biggest pay per view of all time, not just UFC. I mean never. "Data-reactid =" 72 ">DW: Yes. A very well done. One of the biggest pay per view of all time, not just UFC. I mean never.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Where does it rank?"data-reactid =" 73 ">SI: Where does it rank?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Number four or number five. More than 2 million "à la carte" purchases. "Data-reactid =" 74 ">DW: Number four or number five. More than 2 million purchases à la carte.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: What is the latest news from the Khabib Nurmagomedov inquiry of the sports commission?"data-reactid =" 75 ">SI: What is the latest news from the Khabib Nurmagomedov inquiry of the sports commission?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: The month of December is the audience. "Data-reactid =" 76 ">DW: December is the audience.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: What are your expectations?"data-reactid =" 77 ">SI: What are your expectations?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: I do not know. I know what I hope. I hope it takes six months. "Data-reactid =" 78 ">DW: I do not know. I know what I hope. Six months, that's what I hope.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "IF: Has the UFC also imposed internal penalties?"data-reactid =" 79 ">IF: Has the UFC also imposed internal penalties?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: No, everything is in the hands of the commission. "Data-reactid =" 80 ">DW: No, everything is in the hands of the commission.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: The last one. Did you have a closure with Bulger's death?"data-reactid =" 81 ">SI: The last one. Did you have a closure with Bulger's death?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: [Laughs] No, no, my thing was not with Bulger. It was with one of his guys. "Data-reactid =" 82 ">DW: [Laughs] No, no, my thing was not with Bulger. It was with one of his guys.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: You made the headlines yesterday."data-reactid =" 83 ">SI: You made the headlines yesterday.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: Do I really? It's hilarious. People love this exciting story, but that was not the case with Whitey. "Data-reactid =" 84 ">DW: Do I really? It's hilarious. People love this exciting story, but it was not with Whitey.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: What is the story?"data-reactid =" 85 ">SI: What is the story?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: The story was that of Kevin Weeks, Whitey's right hand man. … Have you seen the movie? So, remember when the film starts and the bouncer up front fights those three or four guys, and Whitey impresses him to become Whitey's right hand man? "Data-reactid =" 86 ">DW: The story was that of Kevin Weeks, Whitey's right hand man. … Have you seen the movie? So, remember when the film starts and the bouncer in the front fights these three or four guys, and that Whitey impresses him so that he becomes his right arm?
It was him. They shook me for money.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "SI: Then you had to leave Boston?"data-reactid =" 88 ">SI: Then you had to leave Boston?
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "DW: So they called me on a Saturday afternoon and they said: you have until tomorrow, 1 hour to pay us. And I said, or what? They said, you will discover. So I literally booked a ticket for Vegas and bounced back. "Data-reactid =" 89 ">DW: So they called me on a Saturday afternoon and they said: you have until tomorrow, 1 hour to pay us. And I said, or what? They said, you will discover. So I literally booked a ticket for Vegas and bounced back.
<p class = "canvas-atom canvas-text Mb (1.0em) Mb (0) – sm Mt (0.8em) – sm" type = "text" content = "IF: Wait, is that responsible for why UFC is in Vegas?"data-reactid =" 90 ">IF: Wait, is that responsible for why UFC is in Vegas?
DW: Yes, I really got to Vegas a lot faster than I would have been. It's crazy. I have told the story so often. I am tired of history. But people like this story.
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