Dana White hits back at Australian media after UFC 312

UFC president Dana White has launched a scathing attack on sections of the Australian media, branding them “the biggest p*ssies I have ever seen in the media in my life” after criticism of the New South Wales government’s multimillion-dollar deal to host UFC events in Sydney.

White’s comments came after Sydney Morning Herald editor Bevan Shields questioned the $16 million taxpayer-backed deal, admitting he “felt sick” listening to White discuss the partnership on a podcast.

But as controversy swirled outside the cage, UFC 312 delivered an action-packed night at Qudos Bank Arena, headlined by Dricus du Plessis defending his middleweight title against Sean Strickland in a brutal slugfest that left the American with a broken nose.

The night also saw rising Aussie lightweight Quillan Salkilld make an instant impact, securing a $50,000 performance bonus after recording the second-fastest knockout in UFC history when he dropped Anshul Jubli in just 19 seconds.

Salkilld was one of several Australian fighters to shine, with Jono Micallef also winning on debut, while Queensland’s Tom Nolan and Jake Matthews added to the local success.

Melbourne’s Jimmy Crute fought to a draw in his highly anticipated return.

White was full of praise for the talent emerging from Australia but was left bewildered by some of the country’s television programming, taking a bizarre swipe at local broadcasters.

“I saw f***ing pillow fighting on TV tonight here in Australia,” he said.

“I don’t want to ever hear another word about PowerSlap from you people.”

Despite the media firestorm, White doubled down on his belief that Australia is a premier fight destination, meeting with ARLC chairman Peter V’landys and NRL star Nathan Cleary while acknowledging the challenge posed by high taxes in luring top UFC names to compete Down Under.

With UFC 312 now in the books, attention turns to the promotion’s next blockbuster, UFC 313, where light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira will defend his title against Magomed Ankalaev on March 9 in Las Vegas.

Top online bookmakers can hardly split the pair in the early UFC 313 betting odds, with Pereira holding slight favouritism at $1.87.

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