Dana White wants to see former PRIDE and interim UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira retire after a crushing knockout loss to Roy Nelson in the UFC Fight Night 39 headliner this past weekend.
White made the conscious decision to bite his tongue immediately after the fight out of respect for Nogueira’s (34-9-1 MMA, 5-5 UFC) ability to make his own choice regarding his future.
But when the 37-year-old stated his desire for a third fight against Frank Mir shortly following the loss to Nelson, White felt the need to intervene and make his position known.
“As soon as he got knocked out I was getting blown up by media guys saying, ‘What do you want to do?’” White told MMAjunkie. “But out of respect for Nogueira I didn’t want to say anything until he said something publicly. Then he came out and said he wants to fight Frank Mir.
“I don’t want to see Nogueira fight ever again. He should retire.”
Nogueira has suffered eight knockdowns in just 10 UFC fights, which is tied for the second most of any fighter in organizational history. He has also been stopped inside the distance in all five of his UFC losses.
Considering his age and the fact he already has 45 professional fights to his name, White doesn’t see what more the Brazilian has to accomplish in MMA, especially when he’s one of the most respected athletes in the sport.
“He is a warhorse,” White said. “The guy has been in – just the battles in PRIDE that he’s been in let alone the fights that he’s fought in the UFC. He is one of the most respected fighters in the world by other fighters, let alone by fans, and I like him very much too.”
White has done this dance with fighters before, most notably former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell. “The Iceman” didn’t want to hang up his gloves, so White gave him one last fight, but he was knocked out at the hands of Rich Franklin.
Like it not, Nogueira will be pushed toward retirement by the UFC president. How that conversation will play out is unknown, but White says he is firm in his stance and has no interest in ever watching another Nogueira fight.
“I’ve been in this position a million times,” White said. “I wanted to give him the opportunity to say something first, but now I’m going to say ‘“Big Nog,” I love you, but I’d love you to never fight again.’”