Dana White is still not over Ian Machado Garry’s fifth round against Islam Makhachev. Speaking to reporters after UFC Sacramento on Saturday, the UFC CEO doubled down on the criticism he first leveled at UFC 330, saying Garry may not get another crack at a title.
“He might never have that opportunity again, and probably will never get the opportunity at Islam again, who is going to go down as one of the all-time greats, if not the greatest by the time he’s done,” White said. “So, you have five minutes. Every second of that round counts. Don’t waste 10 seconds telling this guy you love him.”
White’s issue centers on how Garry spent the opening seconds of the fifth round against Makhachev, choosing to show respect to his opponent instead of pushing for a finish with the title on the line.
“Be a nice guy when that five minutes is up,” White said. “You have five minutes to try to finish one of the greatest of all time and have that belt wrapped around your waist. And from then on, you could tell Islam you love him and how great he is and you can shake his hand.”
Makhachev retained his welterweight championship via unanimous decision at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, extending his win streak to a UFC-record 17 fights. White first aired the same complaint at the UFC 330 post-fight press conference, and he brought it back up again six days later in Sacramento, showing the promotion still isn’t ready to let the moment go.
