MMA NEWS TODAY: UFC LEGEND ISSUES PUBLIC APOLOGY TO DANA WHITE, STEVE ERCEG GETS AN OFFICIAL CALL-OUT FOR UFC 305, & MORE
Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For May 9, 2024, we’re taking a look at:
- Abbott looks to mend bridges
- Kara-France calls for an all-Australasian clash
- Mokaev vs Kape set for UFC 304
UFC Legend Tank Abbott Apologizes To Dana White For Comments He Made Over The Phone To Him
Before the days of the glitz and the glamour, one of the biggest personalities and characters in the sport of MMA was Tank Abbott.
The former UFC heavyweight title challenger was known for his tough guy antics and fighting style that made him an icon of his era.
However, at 59 years old, Abbott is now able to look back at some of the things he did back then with regret.
One story, which he told during an appearance on the Jaxxon Podcast, was about how he would call people up whilst he was in an unfit state of mind to do so.
Abbott revealed how one of the worst instances came when he dialled up the UFC President Dana White and said some things he wishes he could take back despite not even knowing what he said.
"Dana was on the calling list now and then, just search the phone and go 'oh yeah, let's call this guy up!'. I ended up calling Dana and the longer time went by, the crazier I got and I can't blame my wife, became my wife, because she took a lot of abuse and trust me, it was like I became possessed.
"I was saying the most vile things to all you guys and you just go 'holy smokes, what's going on with that guy, like guy's crazy'. I ended up saying some really bad things [to Dana White], only because my wife told me about them and it triggers memories. I'd go 'oh my god, why would I do something like that?'."
Abbott went on to apologize to White for his actions back then and whilst he doesn't make excuses for the person he was, he does believe that that isn't a true representation of him as a person anymore.
"Right here on Jaxxon, I will sincerely apologize to you just as a man and I can barely tell you what I said. I know from what my wife would say, she says there's no stopping me and you were insane... Dana I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do and say the things that happened, it was not me and it wasn't a drunk me, it wasn't me. I was possessed with poison."
Kai Kara-France Calls To Face Hometown Fighter Steve Erceg In Perth
Steve Erceg may not have come away with the flyweight title at UFC 301 but his performance against Alexandre Pantoja showed that he belongs at this level.
Many thought that the smallest of changes could have seen Erceg pull off the upset in Brazil and with that in mind, he's sure to be set for another big fight next time out.
August 18 in Perth at UFC 305 would make a lot of sense for his return as a hometown fighter and he already has a potential opponent that is willing to throw down.
Kai Kara-France said during an interview with Sky Sports New Zealand that after giving Erceg his props, he'd be happy to take that fight.
"If not, I feel like Steve would be a good dance partner. Somewhere close to him, he's from Perth, so I know the hometown boy will get a lot of hype, fans want to see him fight and you know, he held his own against the champ at the moment and arguably won that fight. A few decisions, if he did them differently, he probably would have had it in the bag but yeah, he showed a lot of skills that I was impressed, I even messaged him to say you should be proud of that performance.
"So there's no animosity when it comes to Anzac's or for guys from this side of the world it's just you've got to give props where it's due but this is the fight game, you're going to fight everyone so there's nothing personal, it's all business."
Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape Added To Manchester-Held UFC 304 On July 27
Elsewhere in the flyweight division, the #6 and #7-ranked fighters are set to meet for the first time in Manchester, England.
The undefeated Muhammad Mokaev will look to keep his streak alive when he takes on Manel Kape in a fight that could have big implications for the top of the division.
Both men were potentially in the running to face Pantoja this past weekend but after Mokaev's decision win over Alex Perez and Kape's multiple cancelled fights with Matheus Nicolau, Steve Erceg got the call.
"The Punisher" himself confirmed the news for July 27 on social media after it was reported by Home of Fight.
Read more on the story here.
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