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Don’t know if any of you caught yesterday’s episode of “Soundoff” on MMA Weekly Radio, but Ryan Bennett played part of an interview he did with Dana White (UFC President) for The Fight Network in Canada. In the clip of the interview that was played, Bennett asked Dana his thoughts on the upcoming USA vs Canada theme for UFC 58.

Now, I don’t have his exact quotes right now. I could get them, but I’d have to go into the archives and listen again, so I’ll just recap somewhat.

Dana said he completely hates the idea of USA vs Canada and that he thinks it is completely stupid. White said he was the only one in the organization that didn’t like it, so he was outvoted on the decision. Dana credits the whole idea to Joe Silva, the UFC’s matchmaker.

I have several comments about this. First of all, I agree with Dana that the idea of USA vs Canada is completely stupid. The concept holds much more meaning to Canadians than it does Americans, but there is no really animosity between the two countries. This isn’t a USA vs Russia matchup during the cold war. Also, Dana mentions that he doesn’t like the idea because fighters like Georges St. Pierre and David Loiseau are “UFC fighters” not “Canadian fighters.” He doesn’t like the idea of two of the UFC’s best and most liked fighters being booed at the event simply because they are on the “Canadian team.” I completely agree with this, and I personally think both St. Pierre and Loiseau will win their fights (at least that is who I’m rooting for).

However, I do also completely agree with Soundoff co-host Frank Trigg’s assessment of Dana’s comments. Dana White is the president of the UFC. If the decision was made to go with a USA vs Canada theme, no matter how much you hate it, you as the president must say you “love the idea” when speaking to the public. This is supposedly the organization that Dana helped save; he needs to defend it vehemently to the press. Don’t throw one of your main associates under the bus and say you hate their ideas. In the public eye, you need to put forth a combined stance.

I don’t know if Dana said what he said just because he new he was speaking to an all Canadian audience (the Fight Network is currently only available in Canada) and he thought that is what Canadian’s wanted to hear. Either way, UFC 58 is lining up to be a great event, so I hope you all are watching on March 4.