- Dana White told Insider about standout performers on the Contender Series season so far.
- He also spoke about a potential turning point after delivering an angry speech on Week 1.
LAS VEGAS — Dana White is normally loathed to talk about internet celebrity and boxer Jake Paul but came close to offering praise Tuesday when a reporter asked about the rumor that Paul will fight Anderson Silva next month.
"I don't give a shit, but, if he's really fighting Anderson Silva, if he's really fighting Anderson Silva, if that's true, it's about time," White told reporters after handing out five UFC contracts to Contender Series contestants.
Insider reported earlier this week that industry sources suggested Paul and Silva would be headlining a Showtime pay-per-view October 29 in an event that would likely take place in Phoenix, Arizona.
"He's got a real fight on his hands there, regardless of how old Anderson is," White said at his post-show press conference. "That's a real fight."
Before Insider could ask White a second question about Silva vs. Paul, White interjected. Growing increasingly animated, he pleaded: "Stop asking me about Jake Paul, you guys."
"I don't give a shit what Jake Paul does," White said. "I know you love this shit and it gives you clicks, but come on, this guy has nothing to do with my business. He doesn't fight for me, he's not even in the same fucking sport as me.
"I don't want to talk about him anymore," he said. "I don't care."
Watch it right here:
—Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) August 31, 2022
Contestants are performing with more fire than they did in Week 1
After the first episode of the sixth Contender Series season, White gave a passionate and somewhat angry speech about fighters that he felt were not trying hard enough to earn a UFC deal.
Considering the UFC boss is now saying that Tuesdays are his favorite nights, and that he's handing out multiple contracts every week, Insider asked him if he thinks his speech was a turning point in the season.
"There's been six seasons of this show, and every season has been incredible," said White. "We just had a very weird night on the first episode, but … I guess I fixed it, or it was just a weird night."
Mateusz Rebecki is the 'No. 1' for 'talent and potential,' according to White
Last week, White singled out Joe Pyfer, 25, and 21-year-old Cameron Saaiman as the stand-out performers in the season so far.
However, he said Tuesday that the way Mateusz Rebecki beat Rodrigo Lidio, the 29-year-old Polish sensation has set himself apart from the others.
"If you look at the season so far and look at talent and potential, Rebecki might be number one," White said.