Dana White: Fedor is NOT One of the Top MMA heavyweights (!)
 

As the Couture/UFC drama continues, couldn't help but notice this quote from the end of an article on the story:

"I don't think Fedor is one of the top five heavyweights in the world," said White. "Randy Couture is No. 1. I always felt Randy Couture would beat Fedor."

Okay, I'm not an MMA expert and so I'm not totally qualified to question White but ... Emelianenko not one of the top 5?

I'd love to hear his rationale on that statement, who he feels is the top 5, and just how far down Fedor would be ranked, in his view?

I'm guessing (hoping?) it's a bit of sour grapes after Fedor didn't sign with UFC and/or damage control on the Couture issue.

Full Story:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/news?slu...yhoo&type=lgns

https://youtube.com/watch?v=q1iit53fkQM

nuff said..

fedor would kill couture.. dana is pissed because fedor signed somewhere else

I think you can look at this in one of two ways. Dana White always has the UFC brand at the top of his mind, and disparaging Fedor could just be his way of letting off steam over the unsuccessful negotiations to sign him. He could use the argument that he only wanted to sign Fedor because that was the fight Couture wanted the most.

Or he could really believe it. The ex Pride fighters haven't exactly torn it up in the UFC, and Fedor has had a lot of fights against questionable opponents. I'm still scratching my head over Shogun losing to Griffin, although I have start to come around on Griffin. If Fedor wants to prove he is the best in the world he needs the UFC more than they need him...

I want to say it's sour grapes, but I really am not certain. Only way to know is to get them in the ring together. All the other pride fighters have had their asses handed to them in the UFC.

fighting is show business. two leagues in competition with each other with Pride always putting lots of pressure on UFC. what's he expected to say? "pride has the best fighters in the world and we don't"

Except for Rampage. Crocop had to be the biggest disappointment.

I expect Don King to say that, but Dana doesn't quite seem to be the type that would make a remark like that unless he believes it - or, again, it's an angle/sour grapes.

As well, he was not shy about admitting how much he wanted to sign Silva and made a big deal about other signings, so it's hard to say he doesn't acknowledge the talent they have (or should I say, "had").

Anyhow, of course you could be 100% right and it's just part of the game.

Fedor is #1 until he loses

Saying he is not in the top 5 really is a stretch