Dana White has made headlines by overturning a ruling from the commission, granting Jorge Masvidal the record for the fastest knockout in UFC history following a timekeeping blunder.
Masvidal, known as ‘Gamebred’, achieved this remarkable feat in just five seconds when he knocked out Ben Askren with a stunning flying knee during their fight at UFC 239. This event, which took place in July 2019, marked a significant moment in UFC history, effectively ending Duane Ludwig's previously controversial record.
In fact, Ludwig had set an unofficial record for the quickest knockout back in January 2006 while competing against Jonathan Goulet at Ultimate Fight Night 3. During that bout, Goulet made an aggressive move early in Round 1, but Ludwig swiftly countered with a powerful right hand that sent Goulet crashing to the mat. Referee Mario Yamasaki took a brief moment to intervene, ultimately calling the fight at an official time of 11 seconds, despite the fact that he had stepped in around the six-second mark.
This discrepancy sparked a wave of anger among fans who believed the timing needed to be corrected. Dana White intervened after the uproar, telling Ludwig that he would officially recognize his knockout as the fastest in UFC history. However, just two days later, the Nevada State Athletic Commission stood firm, stating that the time would not be changed. Keith Kizer, an official with the commission, noted, "There’s no legal avenue to overturn it. I timed it myself with a stopwatch. It was eight seconds. Officially, it’s got to stay at 11 seconds, but unofficially, it could be at eight." Despite Kizer's comments, the UFC continued to promote Ludwig's knockout as the quickest for over a decade.
Now, shifting gears to current events, Dana White recently dismissed any possibility of a matchup between Conor McGregor and Michael Chandler after White expressed disinterest in that particular fight. Instead, the UFC is gearing up for a unique event at the White House scheduled for June 14, where Jon Jones has been fervently requesting to compete. McGregor has also shown interest in fighting at this historic venue, but White has been clear that Chandler will not be McGregor's opponent, stating, "That was a couple of years ago. No."
As discussions continue about records and matchups in the UFC, one can't help but wonder: Should the UFC be more open to fan feedback regarding matchmaking? What do you think about Dana White’s decisions in these controversies? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
