Following the events of UFC 307 in Salt Lake City, Utah, UFC’s Chief Executive Officer Dana White expressed discontent regarding the proceedings of the evening. White’s usual enthusiastic countenance was replaced with a demeanor that exuded dissatisfaction, with the only exception being Alex Pereira’s impressive fourth-round TKO victory over Khalil Rountree as the main stunner.
Two pressing issues that fueled White’s frustration were directed towards the mishaps surrounding the judging and officiating of multiple bouts throughout the evening. The match that grabbed the biggest chunk of his annoyance was Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington’s co-main event, where Peña secured her championship with a contentious split decision.
White chose to keep his remarks concise and straightforward, likening the situation to an equally frustrating circumstance he had witnessed during a prior event in Dublin, Ireland. He let out his exasperation regarding Julianna Peña’s somewhat ‘uninspired’ title seal against the former PFL standout.
With a slight reluctance, White initially steered clear of further queries concerning the topic. However, upon probing deeper, White unveiled his opinions on the monotonous bantamweight fight that unfolded between Jose Aldo and Mario Bautista.
As a figure who has always championed active participation from referees, White’s disdain for the match’s stagnant nature was hardly a surprise. He took issue with Bautista’s gameplan that seemed to be fixated on shooting for takedowns while concurrently, and ironically, demonstrating little to no progression in terms of attack.
White voiced critical questions that drew attention to the directionality and effectiveness of Botautista’s strategy. He probed about the winning prospects of a fighter whose approach lacked any definitive intention to deliver a combative performance. If you’re steering clear of engaging in the fight, how can one clinch a victory, he questioned.
White also raised concerns over the overlooked aspect of stuffing attempted takedowns. It was evident that he was dissatisfied with the emphasis solely on attempted takedowns that ignored the defensive maneuvers employed to thwart these strikes.
The victory marked an addition to Bautista’s winning streak, as he recorded his seventh back-to-back win for the bantamweight division. Meanwhile, Jose Aldo’s luck swung the other way as his UFC score dipped to 1-1 since he reconnected with the organization after a hiatus in the previous spring.
The astounding contrast in the fighters’ fortunes added another layer to the outcome. Aldo, a former featherweight champion, experienced a bittersweet transition into the bantamweight battle, while newcomer Bautista continually bolstered his ranking since his UFC contract started in 2019.
Reflecting on Bautista’s journey, his track record was impressive with him standing at a sturdy 9-2 since his arrival in the UFC. A minor stain on his rather flawless record was his defeat in March 2021, against Trevin Jones, who since then, has parted ways with the UFC.