UFC CEO Dana White found himself in a bizarre situation recently when a young woman named Abbey Wagoner asked him about his bull, Twisted Steel, during a press conference after a Fight Night event in St. Louis. The question sparked a debate on whether the UFC should tighten its media policies, as Wagoner’s request for UFC fighter Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone to brand her in case he successfully rode White’s bull raised eyebrows. While the bull ride did not happen, Wagoner still wanted to go through with the branding, which led to criticism from established members of the combat sports media.
Wagoner defended her question against White’s reaction, stating that she simply wanted to challenge Cerrone and be branded for clout. However, her request for branding was seen as crossing a line during a press conference that should have focused on more relevant topics. The incident raised questions about the appropriateness of allowing fans to ask unfiltered questions during press conferences, as seen in a pre-UFC 300 event where a fan’s abusive comments towards fighter Arman Tsarukyan led to a physical altercation and a portion of Tsarukyan’s purse being withheld.
While fighters like Tsarukyan could exercise more self-discipline in handling provocative comments from fans and media, the incident highlights the potential risks of allowing unregulated Q&A sessions at UFC events. By diverting attention away from journalists seeking information on the promotion and fighters, unfiltered questions from fans and media can leave fighters and even White vulnerable to unexpected situations. The incident also brings into question the impact of allowing individuals with other agendas to take the spotlight away from the main purpose of the press conferences.
The controversy surrounding Wagoner’s question and the subsequent incident with Tsarukyan showcases the need for the UFC to be more selective about who gets a microphone during press conferences. While topics related to White’s bull and the promotion are fair game, personal requests for branding or other unrelated matters should be avoided to maintain the focus on more relevant aspects of the sport. By limiting the opportunity for fans and media to ask potentially inappropriate questions, the UFC can ensure that press conferences remain a platform for discussing meaningful topics related to the organization and its fighters.
