There’s no doubt that when it comes to sports, no organization in the world offers its fighters more freedom of expression than the UFC under Dana White. However, that freedom seems to have its limits. A recent jab from a UFC middleweight star appears to have hit a nerve with the organization. Despite the UFC’s reputation for allowing fighters to speak their minds, the fighter later called out the promotion for lacking a sense of humor.
Middleweight fighter Azamat Bekoev took to X to throw some shade at UFC for completely missing his joke. When a fan asked where his dream arena to fight would be, Bekoev sarcastically answered “UFC Apex Early Prelims”—a nod to the often-criticized, lackluster fights hosted at the Apex.
While many fans have expressed frustration over UFC’s quality on the Apex cards, UFC apparently didn’t catch the humor this time around. As per Middleweight fighter, his joke flew right over their heads. And it seems he even got some ridicule from the top brass for it. Interestingly, what Bekoev once tweeted as a joke has now turned into reality — he’s set to face Torrez Finney at UFC Vegas 108 Fight Night this August, live from the UFC Apex.
Is Dana White Really Pro-Freedom Of Speech?
To an extent, the reality is that no other organization in the world has athletes like Sean Strickland and Bryce Mitchell—fighters known for their highly controversial opinions. Yet in Dana White’s UFC, they’re allowed to stay and say whatever they want. In that sense, White does appear to support freedom of speech within his roster, often defending his fighters’ rights to speak their minds, even when their views spark backlash or cross conventional lines.
However, the idea of complete freedom of expression under Dana White becomes questionable considering certain actions—like banning journalists from UFC events. This inconsistency raises valid concerns about who truly gets to speak freely and who doesn’t. While fighters often enjoy the liberty to express themselves, critics and members of the media sometimes face consequences, making it clear that freedom in the UFC may still come with invisible boundaries.
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