Dana White is one of the biggest reasons behind the humongous success of UFC as the leading MMA promotion in the world. It took White more than twenty years to take UFC from bankruptcy to a billion-dollar company. As expected, during the process White was part of various personal beefs with others. One of them was with the former light heavyweight champion, Frank Shamrock.
Frank Shamrock is a MMA legend with multiple titles in different promotions in the 90s. He was one of the first superstars of UFC and was also the pound-for-pound ace in his prime. However, after retirement from fighting, his relationship with Dana White kept getting worse. During his latest interview at the JAXXON Podcast, Shamrock opened up about how his beef with White came into existence.
I never did business with them because I didn’t believe in their marketing plan. Because I didn’t join them, I became an adversary.
Frank Shamrock via JAXXON Podcast
Shamrock revealed that back then UFC was new and nobody knew about the promotion and he didn’t align with White’s plans. Shamrock was the inaugural UFC light heavyweight champion after he beat Kevin Jackson in 1997. He ended his UFC career after a win over Tito Ortiz the same year and then vacated the title.
Just over a year later, however, Shamrock chose to resume fighting. He quickly went to K-1 and then the WEC. The split resulted in a decades-long conflict between Frank Shamrock and the UFC. The fighter was also not inducted to the UFC Hall of Fame list and this led to the legend calling White a bully. Since then, Shamrock has frequently mocked the promotion over their beef.
Frank Shamrock rips UFC over anti-trust lawsuit amid long-lasting feud
Aside from Frank Shamrock, numerous legends, including Tito Ortiz, and Mark Hunt have spoken out against the UFC’s neglect of them over its existence. Other legends, on the other hand, were extremely pleased with their position’s advancement. Although everyone’s story is unique, Shamrock did not have a great time in the latter stages of his career.
Frank Shamrock slams UFC for being neglected (via X)
In a post on X, the former light-heavyweight champion criticized the organization. Shamrock posted his UFC.com page, which was considerably more blank than most. Continuing, the former WEC champion accused the promotion of “erasing history” with him.
24 years later, still not on the @ufc website. Why would a multi-billion dollar company spend such energy erasing history? Lots to hide!! Can’t wait for the Anti Trust Lawsuit Trial!!
Frank Shamrock via X
While Frank Shamrock was focused on the UFC antitrust trial, Dana White does not appear to be as concerned. However, the company ended up settling it at $335 million earlier this year. The UFC CEO has been in several legal battles throughout the company’s history and this was nothing new for him.
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