Dana White Speaks On UFC Releases Of Junior dos Santos & Alistair Overeem

UFC President Dana White has spoken out on the departures of Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem.

It was recently revealed that dos Santos and Overeem have been released from their UFC contracts. Dos Santos had been with the UFC since October 2018. Overeem was a member of the UFC roster since December 2011.

During an interview with TMZ Sports, White explained why dos Santos and Overeem were released (h/t MMAFighting.com).

“Nothing happened behind the scenes. They’re both great guys who have had incredible careers here. First of all, people get cut every week. I think those two are pretty self-explanatory. It’s nothing negative, it’s just part of the sport. If you look up what they’ve done recently, you look at their age, you look at everything that’s going on, it’s pretty self-explanatory.”

As far as whether or not there was bad blood with dos Santos and Overeem, White made it clear that this wasn’t the case.

“Not even close. 100 percent (this was amicable). We’ve had a great run and love Alistair and the same with Junior dos Santos. Alistair Overeem never said no to a fight. Never turned down a fight, never said no, would fight anybody. And Junior dos Santos is one of the nicest human beings in the sport. So nothing but amazing things to say about both guys.”

The good news for dos Santos and Overeem is that at least one promotion is interest in signing both men. BKFC President David Feldman revealed that he reached out to both men. RIZIN CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara said he’s open to speaking with Overeem as well.