DANA WHITE has once again denied suggestions that three iconic former champions could make sensational returns at UFC 300.
Mixed martial arts’ top promotion – which celebrated its 30th anniversary last November – will host its 300th pay-per-view event in Las Vegas on April 13.
UFCUFC 300 takes place in Las Vegas on April 13[/caption]
GETTYEx-women’s bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey has been linked with a shock return for the card[/caption]
GETTYA return for former heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar has also been mooted[/caption]
GettyUFC bigwig Dana White insists neither Rousey nor Lesnar will be fighting on the card[/caption]
Fight fans across the globe are expecting a mammoth card to be delivered given how loaded UFC 100 and 200 – which took place in July 2009 and 2016 respectively – were.
Rumours have run rampant that White could bring back MMA icons Ronda Rousey and Georges St-Pierre.
A sensational return for WWE superstar Brock Lesnar – who headlined UFC 100 and made a shock comeback at 200 – has also been mooted.
But, according to White, neither one of the former champions will feature in the Sin City extravaganza.
The UFC’s president and CEO defiantly told Sports Net: “Ronda’s not coming back.
“GSP’s not coming back. Brock Lesnar’s like 45 years old or pushing 50. None of those calls were made.”
White isn’t surprised by the speculation over the trio – who were massive stars for the promotion – returning, telling Sports Illustrated late last year: “I get why everybody asks.
“I love that everybody loves them like that, and with so much passion. I do, too.
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“But they’re definitely not coming back for UFC 300.”
Former heavyweight champion Lesnar hasn’t fought since his 2016 clash with Mark Hunt, which was overturned to a No Contest after he tested positive for banned substances.
One the prospect Lesnar ever fighting again, he said: “I think Brock’s done.”I don’t think he ever comes back.”
Rousey walked away from the sport without so much as a goodbye after her UFC 207 clash with Amanda Nunes, which lasted a mere 48 seconds.
White said of the women’s MMA pioneer: “There’s no shot [that she fights again]. She’s accomplished everything she set out to do.
“Her dream was to win a UFC championship, then win a WWE championship, and she’s done it.
“Now she’s starting a family.
“Ronda has made so much money, and she’s still making a lot of money in sponsorships.”
St-Pierre, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since his UFC 217 victory over Michael Bisping, in which he claimed the middleweight title.
Eight fights have been officially announced for UFC 300, which is expected to feature a minimum of 12 bouts.
The current pick of the punch is the BMF title fight between defending champion Justin Gaethje and former featherweight king Max Holloway.
GETTYDana White has also ruled out a shock return for Georges St-Pierre[/caption]