Dana White apologizes to Farid Basharat over UFC departure comments

UFC CEO Dana White has issued an apology to undefeated bantamweight fighter Farid Basharat following comments regarding his departure from the promotion. Basharat, who holds a 16-0 record with seven wins in the UFC, was not offered a new contract after his previous deal expired.

During a previous press conference in Edmonton, White had suggested that fighters sometimes fail to secure new contracts because they are difficult to work with or turn down matchups. Basharat subsequently released a statement denying he had declined fights and expressed concern that the comments could damage his professional reputation.

At the UFC 333 post-fight press conference, White clarified that he was not referring to Basharat specifically when discussing reasons for non-renewal. “When I was talking to the media that night and I was saying reasons that you could not get re-signed, I wasn’t saying that about him,” White stated. He added that he had no personal or professional issues with the fighter and expressed regret after seeing Basharat’s response on social media.