Dana White has confirmed the company’s stance on not allowing fighters to bring flags into the octagon is officially over following UFC Fight Night 229.
At Saturday’s event, Joe Pyfer celebrated his second-round submission win over Abdul Razak Alhassan with the flag of the United States adorned on his shoulders. It was the first time a fighter had been able to do so in a year.
Dana White confirms flag ban is over in the UFC
Quizzed on why the American fighter was allowed to showcase his country’s flag within the cage, White revealed the seed for change was planted at the recent Noche UFC event.
MORE: What is Noche UFC? Breakdown of Mexican Independence Day event
“Flags are back,” the CEO said. “I was on vacation during the Mexican Independence Day and the no flag thing drove me crazy, so I was like, ‘F*** that, we’re bringing flags back.’
“When the decision was made to do this…[I thought] what’s the big deal if they don’t have flags? Mexican Independence Day flicked the switch for me.”
White explained the move was made originally with good intentions in mind before he wanted to rectify the decision.
“There are a lot of things that go on in a company this big – you can’t micro-manage everything,” White said.
“Sometimes, things are done for the intentions of the right reasons.
“Everybody in this room knows the way that I feel about a lot of things. Basically, ‘I don’t give a f*ck,’ is the answer to most things. Everybody is too soft and too sensitive about everything.”
Why did the UFC introduce a ban on flags?
It is believed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war was the reason behind the UFC implementing the ban last year.
Although, at the time, White was non-committal over why fighters were not allowed to carry the flag of their countries during their walkout or during celebrations inside the cage.
“You guys know why,” White said following UFC 274. “Let’s not even play that f***** game.”
The restriction was brought to light earlier that night when Randy Brown beat Khaos Williams and spoke in the cage afterwards.
“They didn’t let us get the flag,” Brown said. “So, shout out Jamaica.”
Featherweight contender Sodiq Yusuff later delved into the reasons behind the ban during an interview with The African Fighters.
“The flag thing, it was so weird,” Yusuff said.
“They said, ‘Hey, if you wear the flag, we’re gonna fine you a lot of money.’ So, it wasn’t worth it. They were like, ‘You can’t wear it anywhere the UFC cameras are gonna catch.’
“I think it’s because what’s going on with Russia and Ukraine. They don’t want them to wear the flag because of the war, so they said they can’t just single them out, they said they’re gonna do everybody. So, nobody can wear their flag.”
Will Russian UFC fighters be able to show their flag?
White confirmed that Russian fighters would be allowed to represent their country by showing their flag at future UFC events.
“Yeah,” White said. “If any flags hurt your feelings, too f****** bad.”
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