White Mocks Showtime, Reacts To Adesanya’s Guilty Plea For Drink Driving

In the MMA latest updates, Dana White hit out at Showtime’s President, Stephen Espinoza, following rumors that the network could be withdrawing from boxing in 2024.

White’s comments came in response to reports that Showtime may not continue with boxing in 2024 after being in the sport for 37 years.

The CEO of the UFC is well aware of the network, having been involved in Conor McGregor’s crossover fight with Floyd Mayweather all the way back in 2017.

However, since then, he has expressed his disapproval of the network with suggestions that their production does not hold up when it comes to the UFC.

Not only that, but White was not happy with Espinoza after he claimed that the Mayweather-McGregor fight was number one in ppv buys domestically, behind Mayweather-Pacquiao as White claimed the reverse.

And as speculation increases that Showtime may pull out of boxing, White had a lot to say about their President, Stephen Espinoza.

White On Showtime

“That’s incredibly unfortunate. Production of that show is fantastic, the guy who runs Showtime boxing is a great human being. It’s unfortunate to hear this. F*** Espinoza, and it’s about time that s***** product is off the air,” White

At the same time, White has previously hinted about entering into boxing. White has been praised for the UFC’s progress in getting fans to see the biggest fights possible.

That is a criticism which is often levelled against boxing. This is why a potential exit from Showtime could open up doors for TKO Group Holdings, Inc. to move in.

“I am getting into boxing, 100 percent. It’s still early. We’re still working on it. I’ve got to get my [stuff] together, but I’m getting into boxing, man. It’s coming. We still have to get some homework done…The fighters, would enjoy being under this umbrella and fighting for us, and yeah, I do think would could do it better than everybody else does. So what the hell, why not give it a shot?” White stated 

White On Adesanya

Meanwhile, Dana White has reacted to Israel Adesanya’s drink-driving guilty plea. The former UFC middleweight champion was found to have been over the alcohol limit of 50 milligrams per 100 milliliters of blood.

The incident in question occurred on August 19th, 2023. This was less than a month away from his title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 293.

Ultimately, Adesanya would end up losing his belt via a unanimous decision. And things got a whole lot worse as the fighter entered a guilty plea on September 25th, 2023, in New Zealand. Thereafter, the fighter apologized for his actions which did place a stain on his reputation.

“I want to apologize to the community, my family, and my team for the decision I made to get behind the wheel after drinking at dinner. I was pulled over and gave an evidentiary blood test. The reading was 87 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood. I am disappointed with my decision to drive, It was wrong. I know that people might follow me and I want them to know I do not think this behavior is acceptable,” Adesanya

Adesanya’s Future

Although that may be the case, it is important to bear in mind the following points. Adesanya was too much over the limit, even though this is not a defense for his actions.

In addition, no one was hurt as who knows what could have happened on any other given day. And that is what White was grateful for.

“No matter how many drinks you’ve had – if you drink, don’t drive. Especially, it’s one thing, Ubering is easy, but when you have that kind of money that kid has, get a driver. Have somebody drive you or Uber or whatever. He made a bad decision. Thank God nobody was hurt. Him or nobody else. You know what I say about mistakes: How do you handle them after you make them? Hopefully, that’s a one-and-done for him, and he never does it again,” White stated 

Izzy’s main focus should be on trying to secure a rematch with Strickland or to work himself into a title position. But in order for him to do that, the MMA fighter must keep himself together outside of the cage. And that is the most important thing.