Dana White: Basharat remarks were 'in general' – UFC working on a Georgia event
In Abu Dhabi the UFC chief walks back his comments on the unbeaten Basharat, reassures on Evloev – and promises Georgian fans an event in 2027.
Archive image · Photo: Andrius Petrucenia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped and resized)
UFC CEO Dana White softened his remarks on the departure of unbeaten Farid Basharat at the UFC 333 press conference. "When I was talking about why some guys get released, or their contracts don't get renewed, I was just saying in general," White said, according to MMA Fighting. "I wasn't pointing him out, specifically." Basharat had previously disputed claims that he turned down fights or was difficult to work with.
Asked whether Movsar Evloev, also unbeaten in the UFC, could face a similar fate, White said: "No, I can't promise anything," but added that Evloev is "in a pretty good spot right now." "I don't think you need to worry about him at all."
According to MiddleEasy, White also held out the prospect of a UFC event in Georgia. Asked by Giorgi Buchukuri of Setanta Sports whether Georgian fans could get an event next year, he replied: "Yes, sir. Yes. We are definitely working on that. And the answer is yes. Hell, yes." He gave no date, venue or card.