Reason for Dana White’s absence from UFC 291 press conference revealed

Dana White was a notable absentee from the recent UFC 291 pre-fight press conference. Considering the significance of the event and the massive hype behind the fight card, many wondered why the UFC supremo gave it a miss. 

Due to White’s absence, perennial UFC commentator Jon Anik took over his duties as the press conference host. Anik not only hosted the event but also answered questions from the attending journalists. 

Shedding light on why Dana White missed the presser, MMA journalist Mike Bohn revealed that the UFC president is currently on vacation in Italy. Confirming the same on Twitter, he wrote:

“With Dana White vacationing in Italy, I’m told @Jon_Anik will host today’s #UFC291 pre-fight press conference.”

UFC 291 is set to go down this weekend at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

A rematch between Dustin Poirier and Justin Gaethje will headline the exciting pay-per-view card. The two explosive lightweights will be fighting for the coveted ‘BMF’ title. The co-main event will feature former middleweight champion Alex Pereira’s light heavyweight debut against former 205-pound champion Jan Blachowicz. 

Elsewhere on the card, former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson will face Bobby Green. Welterweight contender Stephen Thompson will face Michel Pereira and Kevin Holland will fight Michael Chiesa. A heavyweight matchup between Derrick Lewis and Rogerio De Lima will also take place on the UFC 291 card. 

Dana White confirms main event for the Fight Night event on September 23

UFC president Dana White recently confirmed that the promotion is close to finalizing an exciting lightweight matchup between Rafael Fiziev and Mateusz Gamrot for a Fight Night event in September. The two mercurial fighters will headline the main card on September 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. 

‘Ataman’ will look to redeem his unanimous decision loss against Justin Gaethje at UFC 286. Before that loss, Fiziev was on a six-fight winning streak. Meanwhile, Gamrot is coming off a split-decision victory over Jalin Turner at UFC 285. 

The card will also feature a featherweight barnburner between Bryce Mitchell and Dan Ige. This will mark Mitchell’s first 2023 octagon outing.

The news was confirmed by MMA journalist Brett Okamoto of ESPN, who tweeted:

“UFC Fight Night, Sept. 23 … per Dana White. No. 6 Rafael Fiziev vs. No. 6 Mateusz Gamrot. No. 12 Bryce Mitchell vs. No. 13 Dan Ige.”