'They did it to themselves': UFC boss rubbishes Mayweather
UFC boss Dana White has rubbished Floyd Mayweather's campaign to fight Conor McGregor and blasted the criticism of UFC in the post-Ronda Rousey era.
Mayweather and McGregor have been in a verbal war in the months since the Irishman defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November last year.
McGregor has taken a break since that fight while he decides on his next move, though he hasn't stayed quiet: he only recently outlined his prime target.
“I have my eyes on one thing right now and that’s Floyd Mayweather. That’s the thing I have my eye on," the 28-year-old said in Manchester.
While White has previously offered up $25 million for a McGregor-Mayweather fight, he has now slammed the American and says boxing relies too heavily on Mayweather mouthing off.
"That's why he won't stop talking about Conor. Keeping himself relevant while he's doing nothing," he said in a wide-ranging interview with Sports Illustrated.
Asked SI's Jon Wertheim: "You'll feel guilty for accelerating boxing's death?"
"They did it to themselves. I just filled the void," White replied.
White discussed much more than Mayweather in the SI interview, including his friend and former women's star Ronda Rousey.
Rousey has been in hiding since losing to Amanda Nunes at UFC 207 in December, with White recently saying that "she's probably done" and will "start living her life outside of fighting".
White told SI that Rousey should be proud of her career, even if it has ended with two heartbreaking losses.
"She’s made a lot of money. I know for her that doesn't matter - her legacy means more to her than anything else," he said.
"But you know what, sometimes we can’t have it all. But let’s be clear: she built this house (women's UFC). She really did."
For all Rousey brought to UFC, the boss won't be disappointed if the company never again reaps the benefits of her presence.
"I care about her as a human being more than the fighter side," he said.
"You read the bulls***, ‘Oh man, UFC’s in trouble, their golden goose...' She’s not a f***ing golden goose. She’s a human being. And she’s a very good f***ing friend of mine."