UFC Seattle Fighter Avoids Punishment After Shoving Austin Vanderford Says Dana White
UFC Seattle Fighter Spared
In a night filled with intensity and unexpected moments, UFC Seattle became a talking point not just for the fights but for an incident outside the Octagon. During fight week, welterweight fighter Nikolay Veretennikov found himself in the headlines after a heated altercation with fellow fighter Austin Vanderford. However, despite the physical altercation, Dana White has confirmed that Veretennikov will not face any disciplinary action.
The Heated Exchange
It all started backstage during the weigh-ins when tensions between Veretennikov and Vanderford boiled over. Words were exchanged, tempers flared, and before security could fully intervene, Veretennikov gave Vanderford a hard push, nearly setting off a full-blown brawl.
According to eyewitnesses, the conflict stemmed from a string of disagreements over training facilities and sparring sessions leading up to the event. Vanderford, known for his relentless wrestling, had reportedly criticized Veretennikov’s approach to fight preparation, sparking a verbal battle that quickly escalated.
“I’m not going to let someone disrespect me, plain and simple. If you run your mouth, you better back it up,” Veretennikov reportedly said after the incident.
Despite the scuffle, UFC officials intervened before things got out of hand. While UFC President Dana White could have taken disciplinary action, he instead opted for a different approach.
Dana White Responds
At the post-weigh-in press conference, Dana White made his stance clear. When asked about Veretennikov’s actions, White brushed off concerns of any serious punishment.
“Look, this is the fight business. Fighters are intense, and things happen. What matters is that no one got seriously hurt, and cooler heads prevailed,” White said.
It’s no secret that White has a love-hate relationship with pre-fight altercations. While the UFC president has penalized fighters in the past for outside-the-cage incidents, he has also expressed an understanding of the adrenaline-fueled world these athletes live in.
It seems that in this case, White has chosen to let it slide, emphasizing that such encounters, while not encouraged, come with the territory of high-level combat sports.
Fighter Reactions
In the wake of White’s decision, the MMA community has been split. Many fighters have chimed in on social media regarding the incident, with some arguing that the lack of consequences sets a bad precedent, while others see it as nothing more than a heated moment between two warriors.
- Colby Covington: “Let them fight! This is how you hype a fight properly.”
- Michael Chandler: “Gotta keep it professional. No need for cheap shots outside the Octagon.”
- Sean Strickland: “I’ve done worse and still made it to fight night. No big deal.”
Vanderford, on the other hand, remained calm about the situation. When asked about the altercation, he downplayed any bad blood but did hint that he wouldn’t mind settling things inside the Octagon.
“He’s got a fight to focus on, but if the UFC ever wants to run it back, I’m more than happy to oblige,” said Vanderford.
How This Affects UFC Seattle
Despite the backstage fireworks, UFC Seattle remains business as usual. Veretennikov is still scheduled to fight, and from all indications, he won’t let the scuffle affect his performance.
With no repercussions coming his way, the spotlight is now back on Veretennikov’s performance inside the cage. Fans are curious to see whether this incident will fuel his aggression or serve as a distraction.
Final Thoughts
UFC altercations aren’t new, and this one between Veretennikov and Vanderford is just another entry in a long history of pre-fight tensions spilling over. Fortunately for Veretennikov, Dana White’s decision to let the incident slide means he can focus on what’s importantwinning inside the Octagon.
For fight fans, UFC Seattle just got a little more interesting. Whether this momentary drama will translate to fireworks on fight night remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: all eyes are now on Veretennikov.