In a recent social media post that sent shockwaves through the combat sports world, UFC CEO Dana White took a no-holds-barred swipe at Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza. The fiery exchange comes in the wake of comparisons between the UFC’s success and that of boxing’s biggest stars, such as Canelo Alvarez, Ryan Garcia, and Terrence Crawford.
White’s scathing critique began when he shared an Instagram story, leaving no room for ambiguity. “That’s exactly the type of response I would expect from that Weasel Espinoza,” White exclaimed. “That scumbag has absolutely nothing to do with the success of Canelo, Ryan Garcia, and Terrence Crawford.”
The UFC head honcho didn’t stop there. He went on to assert that these fighters’ stardom and the immense gate revenues generated by their fights are solely attributable to their individual prowess, not Espinoza’s influence. White didn’t mince words, making it clear that he viewed Espinoza’s claim to any credit as an act of arrogance and delusion.
“For him to even try and take any credit at all shows you exactly what an arrogant, delusional POS that guy is,” White continued. The UFC impresario found it laughable that Espinoza would speak about “levels” when comparing the production quality of Showtime’s fights to the UFC’s events. In White’s eyes, Showtime’s production was nothing short of an embarrassment, a sentiment he had voiced repeatedly.
Dana White Throws Shade at Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza Amidst Canelo Alvarez Comparisons
“He is a little guy with a BIG yap, and is a complete phony,” White declared, adding fuel to the already blazing fire. “I’m not at all surprised this is the end for them. It should have come way sooner. Sorry to see you go Weasel, enjoy your retirement.”
White’s candid comments have ignited a fervent debate within the combat sports community. Some argue that White’s unfiltered remarks were long overdue and that they reflect a sentiment shared by many fans who have criticized Showtime’s production quality in comparison to the UFC’s top-tier events.
On the other hand, supporters of Stephen Espinoza assert that the veteran boxing executive played a pivotal role in promoting and building the careers of fighters like Canelo Alvarez. They believe that his contributions to the sport should not be underestimated.
As the battle for supremacy in the world of combat sports rages on, one thing is certain: Dana White’s outspoken nature and willingness to engage in verbal warfare are here to stay.