Dana White tore off the strip Contender series fighter, Adama Diopon Tuesday night before the Senegalese heavyweight’s gracious signing.
Diop opened a +410 disadvantage to the opponent, Zaurbek Sabanovwho was the -590 betting favourite. Neither man looked very good last night (full results here) and both seemed pretty gassed after the first round. But Diop dug deeper, hitting Sabanov with punches against the cage that forced the Ares veteran to turn his back to stop the referee.
It wasn’t an entertaining fight or an impressive finish. It seemed more merciful to the crowd than to anyone else that the fight was called as it was. And UFC CEO, Dana Whitedidn’t hold back when going through his roster to determine who would get a UFC contract and who would.
“Alright big man… your fight was terrible, sloppy and one of the worst fights I’ve ever seen. Contender series,” White declared. “You’re in terrible shape. You were trying to get the win until the crowd started kicking you out of that spot. And if you were fighting in the UFC, a UFC heavyweight would hit you the way you did that kid and get the win.
“There’s an even bigger problem here,” he added. “You’re 31 years old. So if you don’t get this opportunity tonight, what are you going to do? Where are you going to end up? How’s it going?”
It all seemed like a setup to send Diop packing. But instead, White signed him.
“Don’t make me regret it,” Dana said. Speaking to Diop later, he added: “Take it seriously and go to the gym.”
As a result, Diop became the first fighter from Senegal to enter the UFC. Let’s see if he manages to hang on… looks like he’s already on a short leash.