UFC president Dana White has run the gamut with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) kingpin Vince McMahon. The rumors have speculated from White stealing the WWE business model, McMahon swooping in to buy up the UFC, partnerships, rivalries, and all out wars.
One thing is certain, White admires the pro wrestling luminary.
"I love Vince. He's a (expletive) animal isn't he?" said White when asked if the UFC doing its first Monday night event in an attempt to go head-to-head with WWE.
"I mean we're not trying to go against him. That night is the night Spike wanted the fight. Spike wanted the fight that night, so that's the night they called for it and Vince goes into (expletive) war mode. He's calling up (Mike) Tyson. He's bringing this guy back and the Rock might come back. I love it. He's a (expletive) animal."
A lot of White's admiration for McMahon probably comes from their similar approaches to their perceived competition. Although White doesn't view pro wrestling as a competitor to MMA, like McMahon is doing with Raw, the UFC head honcho often counter programs other MMA promotions.
"You've never heard me say we're going to kick the (expletive) out of Monday Night Raw. You've never heard me say that," said White. "I think we're two totally different, pro wrestling is totally different than the UFC and mixed martial arts.
"And I respect this guy. I like Vince McMahon. I've had breakfast with him. He's a good guy, but he is a (expletive) animal. I'm not trying to beat him on Monday night. I don't think we would beat them. Those guys pull killer ratings. It's been like the highest rated show on television forever. We're just putting a fight on Monday night because Spike wants us to."
