UFC CEO Dana White issues a public apology to undefeated bantamweight Farid Basharat after mistakenly implying he turned down fights.
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White has publicly apologized to undefeated bantamweight fighter Farid Basharat following controversial remarks regarding his departure from the sports promotion.
The issue arose when Basharat completed his UFC contract holding a 7-0 record inside the Octagon and a spot in the bantamweight rankings, yet was unexpectedly not offered a new deal by the organization.
Addressing the situation during a press briefing, White initially suggested that un-renewed fighters often create matchmaker problems by declining matchups, according to information published by mmamania.
Farid Basharat Denies Refusing UFC Matchups
Following the initial remarks from Dana White, fighter Farid Basharat vehemently denied ever turning down a single fight during his tenure with the Ultimate Fighting Championship organization.
The ranked bantamweight athlete argued that the promotion was manufacturing a fanbase that did not truly appreciate quality fighting, while pointing toward extreme weight discrepancies he accepted as proof of his cooperation.
Basharat expressed deep concern that the comments made by the UFC chief executive officer could severely damage his professional reputation and hinder future contract negotiations with rival combat sports promotions.
Dana White Clarifies Misunderstood Contract Statements
During the UFC 333 post-fight press conference, Dana White admitted that his previous vague statements unfairly placed the undefeated contender under intense public suspicion and scrutiny.
The UFC executive explained that he was speaking generally about why fighters sometimes depart rather than targeting the bantamweight competitor specifically during his media interaction.
After viewing an online response video from the athlete, the executive realized the misunderstanding, stating that he never intended to harm the career of the talented 29-year-old fighter.
Future Prospects for the Undefeated Bantamweight
Despite parting ways with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Dana White confirmed there are no personal or professional issues between the promotion and Farid Basharat moving forward.
The executive predicted that the talented athlete will easily secure a new home within another major fighting organization given his flawless record and impressive athletic skills inside the cage.
While a return to the UFC Octagon is not expected in the immediate future, the top executive noted that a future reunion remains a distinct possibility down the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the UFC release Farid Basharat?
Farid Basharat was not re-signed after fighting out his contract, despite holding an undefeated 7-0 record in the UFC and a bantamweight ranking.
What did Dana White apologize for?
Dana White apologized for suggesting during a media session that fighters who are not re-signed often turn down fights or are difficult to deal with, which unfairly implicated Farid Basharat.
Did Farid Basharat really turn down UFC fights?
No, Farid Basharat vehemently denied ever declining any fights during his UFC tenure, highlighting the injuries and weight discrepancies he accepted.
Will Farid Basharat ever return to the UFC?
Dana White stated that a return is unlikely in the near future, but he did not rule out the possibility of the bantamweight fighter rejoining the UFC later.
