UFC President and CEO Dana White is not afraid of speaking his mind and offending people. A close ally of Donald Trump and a very clear Republican, there are many out there who support him, but also many that strongly dislike the man.

At times, he has surprised many, such as when he didn’t side with Josh Hokit, who called Michelle Obama a man during his interview following his win against Derrick Lewis at the UFC Freedom 250 event on the 14th of June. This seemed like a comment that White would brush off as a joke, but he instead gained respect from many by calling the comment “disgusting.”

But it didn’t take too long for the CEO to lose that respect he’d gained from some fans after he appeared in an interview for Tomi Lahren is Fearless.

Dana White on UFC Hosting Pride Nights

If there is one person to ask about the inclusion of Pride Night within the UFC, it is the big boss himself.

Despite his personal views, White has done a lot for the sport, managing to transform MMA from background noise to a money-making franchise loved by many. He entered his current role in 2001 and has remained a figurehead of the sport ever since. Many athletes come and go, but White has been a constant who doesn’t look to be leaving anytime soon.

When asked about why there are no pride nights within the UFC, however, White replied: “I don’t give a s***. I don’t care what you are or who you are or what you do. We don’t talk about that or any of that stuff.”

The NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, and NFL all host Pride Nights, making the UFC kind of look like the odd one out. With pretty much all major sports in America hosting these nights, it comes across as quite embarrassing for the UFC to still refuse to be inclusive and open to hosting these events.

White continued discussing the matter by saying: “Everybody do your own thing. I’m just not into it. I let everybody be themselves and do their thing. There’s a lot of things that some of my guys say that I don’t love.”

It seems like fans of Pride Nights and the UFC will have to wait a long time before they see the two combine, but with more pressure being put on White to make the change, it is never out of the question that one day these events might happen.

Newcastle United are now said to be ahead of Aston Villa in the queue to sign a former Premier League frontman who is impressing at the World Cup. The Magpies are in need of more quality this summer after a disappointing season that saw them finish firmly in the bottom half.

Eddie Howe will be hugely frustrated by the season just gone, and he knows his bosses are not going to put up with another campaign of that nature. Fortunately for the Magpies boss, he is set to be backed in the summer transfer window, and the Toon Army should have money to spend, given the wealth of their owners and the sale of Anthony Gordon, which will appease the Profit and Sustainability overlords.

Newcastle have the edge in striker race

Matthew Childs via Reuters

According to Jeunes Footeux, Newcastle are ‘very interested’ in signing AS Monaco striker Folarin Balogun, who has been impressing so far at this summer’s World Cup, and have made contact over a potential deal. Balogun has been with Monaco since leaving Arsenal in 2023, going on to scored 24 goals in 72 league appearances to date.

The forward, described as being “a proven goalscorer at the highest level”, was born in New York before he and his mother returned to England to live. He has scored two and provided an assist in his first two World Cup games with USMNT this summer. With Christian Pulisic dealing with an injury early in the competition, Balogun has been his nation’s standout star so far.

Wayne Rooney said during a BBC Sport broadcast recently: “He has pace, he has power, this is about Balogun, his directness, his rawness and his ability to drive with the ball.”

Olivier Giroud added: “He’s doing really well, he’s scored 19 goals this year with Monaco, full of confidence, a lot of composure. He’s really available for his teammates, he’s not just standing up front, he does a lot of movement, can run in behind, he can hold the ball. He has a really good connection with Ricardo Pepi also. I’m enjoying seeing him play and I hope he will score more goals,”

Newcastle face obstacles in completing a deal

His form has perhaps played a part in Newcastle rekindling interest from April, and the report claims the Magpies have already been in touch with Monaco over a possible deal. It’s claimed Monaco won’t sell for less than £43million, or 50million euros, and that does put Newcastle in an awkward position because of the strikers they currently have at the club.

In fact, it’s claimed the Magpies would have to offload Yoane Wissa, who only joined last summer, before pressing ahead with a Balogun deal. Meanwhile, Aston Villa, who can offer Champions League football, are said to be monitoring the situation, but they have not made their move yet.

Yesterday, former UFC fighter Dustin Poirier released a statement on his Instagram after bodycam footage was released from his arrest that took place on Sunday, the 21st of June.

Before his retirement last year, Poirier was a great within the UFC realm. Stepping away to work on himself was a very brave decision to make, but clearly there is still quite a way to go for the 37-year-old.

Poirier received bail following the arrest at Atlanta Airport, giving the American time to process and think about his actions, which included many expletives and threatening to fight a member of the staff.

Since his retirement from fighting, Poirier hasn’t been completely out of a job, as he was welcomed by ESPN to become one of their fight analysts and has been training other fighters at American Top Team. It is not clear yet about whether he will continue to do this or if he will completely step away from all responsibilities at this time.

Dustin Poirier’s Statement After Arrest

He wrote: “I’m at the point where I need some help.

“Walking away from fighting hasn’t been easy on me and alcohol isn’t the answer. It has ruined my father’s life and I will not allow it to ruin mine.

The statement in question, however, has faced mixed reactions due to the lack of apology that has been given to the woman he abused and the man he threatened.

It didn’t take long for the ex-fighter to release this statement with the events clearly weighing on his mind and, despite winning 30 fights throughout his career, this next fight against alcoholism will likely be the hardest of his life.

He also shared a post on his Instagram story that showed a quote from his recent interview this month with Full Send MMA. The quote said: “Some days I’m great, some days I’m not so good. If I’m not working towards something or trying to better my family, I’m a danger to myself.”

At home in Lafayette, Louisiana, Poirier has his wife, Jolie Poirier, who he has been married to since 2009, and two children. It is clear in his statement that, at the moment, his family and his mental well-being are his top priorities.

Hopefully this once beast within the cage can make a recovery soon, as it would be a shame to see a legacy like his tainted by actions driven by alcohol.