Fighting for the Ultimate Fighting Championship once more allows for the carrying of national flags within the Octagon, according to Dana White.
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the promotion initially forbade fighters from carrying flags; after Weili Zhang won, her banner was taken away. But after a brilliant submission victory over Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 229 on October 7, middleweight prospect Joseph Pyfer (12-2) joyously raised the American flag.
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When questioned on the subject following the fight on Saturday, White stated that “flags are back.” He added that the just-finished Noche UFC fight, which was held to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, served as the impetus for his decision to lift the restriction.
Joe Pyfer’s defiance of the American flag after submitting Abdul Razak Alhassan in the second round at the UFC Apex was very notable since the organisation forbade fighters from carrying flags on broadcasts in the wake of the continuing Russia-Ukraine war.
At the post-fight news conference, White was questioned about the circumstances. He responded that the recent Noche UFC event served as a turning point for him to disregard the regulation.
Dana White had a change of heart after seeing the exuberant manifestation of Mexican patriotism and happiness during Noche UFC. White changed his mind after seeing Mexican fighters and supporters jubilantly waving flags and cheering. At the UFC Vegas 80 post-fight news conference, White expanded on the causes of the initial ban.
“Flags are back,” White added. “I was on vacation during the Mexican Independence Day, and the no flag thing drove me crazy. So I was like, ‘Yeah, f*ck that. We’re bringing flags back.’ It drove me crazy.”
White claimed that at first, he didn’t consider the flag ban to be a significant problem and that he wasn’t vehemently opposed to it. He grew to despise what was happening as time went on, but the fighters are now free to represent their various nations.
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