Basharat says Dana White's parting comments 'did damage' after UFC release despite 7-0 record

Farid Basharat says Dana White’s public comments about why fighters get released from the UFC caused him real reputational damage, even though the UFC president was speaking broadly rather than naming him directly.

Basharat, a bantamweight contender who went 7-0 inside the octagon and reached the top 10 in the rankings, was not offered a new contract after fighting out his most recent deal. When asked about his departure, White said: “If you’re 16-0, with seven wins in the UFC and don’t get re-signed, there’s definitely a reason,” adding that fighters are sometimes let go because “guys aren’t good to deal with and the matchmakers don’t want to deal with them, which could be turning down fights or whatever the reasoning is.”

Basharat had already publicly denied ever rejecting a fight or having a difficult relationship with the matchmaking team, but the comments continued to sting because of the weight White’s words carry.

“The problem is Dana’s got such an influence and power that when he says something, everyone takes it as factual,” Basharat told MMA Fighting. “Although I think he was talking generally or quite broadly or vaguely, it did damage to me. Because then people say ‘oh you turned down fights’ or ‘you were tough to deal with staff and stuff.’ Both of them are ridiculous statements.”

Basharat was careful to separate his frustration from any personal animosity toward White, arguing the UFC president is simply not close enough to individual contract negotiations to know the specifics of his case.

“I don’t think Dana deals with the contract negotiations of fighters and stuff anymore,” Basharat said. “The only interactions I’ve had with Dana are at The Contender Series — he spoke glowingly about me, spoke very well and decided to sign me. Since then I’ve only gotten better and fought for a tougher position and put on better and better performances. I don’t think Dana is fully aware of myself and the contract negotiations. I think it’s the people below, or whoever makes the decisions in that regard.”

On the question of his future, Basharat said his manager is in contact with every major organisation about a potential deal, though nothing is imminent. Having recently undergone surgery, Basharat says he is in “no rush” to book his next fight.

He did not close the door on a UFC return, but made clear any reunion would depend on the terms offered. “UFC’s always been the dream so it’s tough to say no to them,” he said, “but it all depends on what kind of stance they take with me.”