Fans weren’t happy with one statement from the UFC CEO during his recent fight announcements.
Dana White recently announced a stacked card for the UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi on July 26 via a video posted on his social media platforms.
Alongside a middleweight title eliminator between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder, next month’s Fight Night event also boasts a huge featherweight matchup between the undefeated Movsar Evloev and new arrival Aaron Pico.
Another one of the big fights that is now confirmed for Abu Dhabi sees Bryce Mitchell move down a weight class as he looks to reinvent himself as a bantamweight.
During White’s video, he made an incorrect claim about Mitchell’s upcoming opponent which fans quickly picked up on in the replies to the post.
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Fans criticize Dana White after he incorrectly labels Said Nurmagomedov the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov
Fans have had a lot to say so far in 2025 regarding Dana White’s current involvement and interest in the UFC.
This talking point has been especially relevant given the status of Jon Jones and whether he should be stripped of the heavyweight title if he’s not going to fight Tom Aspinall.
In the video posted by White where he announced some big fights for Abu Dhabi, this is what he had to say about the bantamweight clash between Bryce Mitchell and Said Nurmagomedov.
“Bryce Mitchell is making a big move down to the bantamweight division and will debut against the always dangerous Said Nurmagomedov, the cousin of Khabib [Nurmagomedov].”
While they’re friends who are from Dagestan and share the same surname, Said is not related to Khabib.
The former UFC lightweight champion does have cousins who are also big names in the sport in Umar and Usman Nurmagomedov, but Said is not from the same family.
Fans fact-checked White underneath his announcement video, along with being excited for what looks to be a big return to Abu Dhabi next month.
‘Said isn’t Khabib’s cousin’
‘Said Nurmagomedov is NOT Khabib’s cousin’
‘Wait a second, Said is Khabib’s cousin? They train at different gyms’
‘Isn’t Said like…not related to Khabib at all (unless we’re going back an extra generation)’
‘Since when is Said a cousin of Khabib’
‘Said is not even Khabib’s cousin leave the sport’
‘Bro Said is not related to Khabib’
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Full main card announced for UFC’s return to Abu Dhabi
Along with the two five-round bouts that will headline the card, and Bryce Mitchell vs Said Nurmagomedov, the UFC has also confirmed the three other matchups that will seemingly make up the main card for July 26.
Former bantamweight champion Petr Yan makes his return to Abu Dhabi when he faces the #13-ranked Marcus McGhee in what should be an entertaining striking clash.
Shara Magomedov looks to bounce back from his first loss when he takes on Marc-Andre Barriault, who recorded a first-round finish over Bruno Silva last month.
Last but not least, Nikita Krylov will also look to put his recent defeat behind him when he faces the surging Bogdan Guskov at light heavyweight.