If there’s one thing MMA fans know, it’s that UFC President Dana White can bear a grudge. As reported by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, White has severed Ties with The Palms Resort and Casino, canceling all of the promotion’s future events at their venue, The Pearl. This allegedly stemmed from a grudge the UFC President has with the resort’s casino, who ostensibly reduced his gambling credit line by 50%.
The Pearl at The Palms has been home to fifteen UFC events dating back to 2007, most noticably being the company’s headquarters for The Ultimate Fighter finales. Many felt something seemed off when the December 15 finale for TUF 16, headlined by a heavyweight tilt between Roy Nelson and Shane Carwin, was announced for theHard Rock Hotel & Casino instead of the usual venue, this serves as an explanation for the change.
While White has yet to verify the reports, and likely will not do so, it comes as a bit of a shock. Dana has feuded with various promotions and fighters in the past, yet it has very rarely gotten in the way of business (See: Tito Ortiz). While the promotion is in no way betrothed to the Palms, seeing the company sever ties with the resort for personal reasons on his part seems like an odd move, even for Dana.
