Dana White’s challenging week worsened at UFC Vegas 93, following a dramatic incident in the headliner fight.
Japanese flyweight Tatsuro Taira maintained his unbeaten streak, securing a 16-0 record with a second-round TKO against Alex Perez. However, the fight ended under unfortunate circumstances.
During the bout, Taira attempted a rear-naked choke on Perez but shifted his strategy to pressure Perez’s legs, leading both fighters to the ground. This maneuver resulted in a severe injury for Perez, who screamed in pain and tapped out, clutching his knee.
Perez required medical attention and was carried out on a stretcher for further assessment. The exact nature of his injury remains unclear, adding to the UFC’s current woes.
This incident capped off a tough period for Dana White and the UFC. Recently, White had to cancel a major fight slated for the UFC’s debut in Saudi Arabia on June 22, where Khamzat Chimaev was replaced by Ikram Aliskerov due to illness.
Additionally, Conor McGregor’s highly anticipated return fight against Michael Chandler at UFC 303 on June 29 was called off due to McGregor’s injury. McGregor expressed his disappointment on social media, stating that the decision was made after consulting with doctors and his team.
To mitigate the impact, White announced Alex Pereira vs. Jiri Prochazka II as the new headliner, but McGregor’s absence leaves a significant void.
There is hope that McGregor’s return can be rescheduled for September or October, with reports suggesting he may be ready by August. In the meantime, White is focused on navigating through these injury setbacks.
Credit: TalkSport
