Dana White believes he has discovered a rising star following UFC 323.
The UFC president witnessed from the cage side as two dominant champions lost their titles.
In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili was surprisingly outmatched by Petr Yan over five rounds.
Earlier, Alexandre Pantoja’s flyweight title reign ended abruptly due to a severe arm injury just 26 seconds into his fight against Joshua Bunn.
Dana White praised one of the night’s standout performances, which was not in a title bout.
After former two-division champion Henry Cejudo retired following his loss at UFC 323, unranked bantamweight prospect Peyton Talbot controlled every round to earn the most significant win of his career against the future UFC Hall of Famer.
White expressed his excitement about Talbot, who one reporter dubbed an “up-and-coming superstar” after the event.
“He was unbelievable: his distance control, range, and takedowns,” White said during the post-fight press conference. “Henry Cejudo showed tremendous heart, landed big shots, and kept fighting until the very end. It was a tough night for fighters.”
When it comes to his own future, Dana White has assured fans that he is committed to the UFC for several more years.
The UFC president signed a seven-year contract extension in 2019, which was set to expire soon, but he has now extended his tenure through at least 2031. “It’s literally been extended this year for another five years,” White confirmed when asked about his contract.
Fan Take: This update is huge for fight fans as Peyton Talbot’s emergence adds fresh excitement and depth to the bantamweight division. Meanwhile, Dana White’s long-term commitment ensures stability and continued growth for the UFC, promising many more memorable moments ahead.
