In this week’s UFC Fight Night, Daniel Rodriguez was brutally defeated by Ian Garry. Following the event, Daniel got a heartwarming message from none other than UFC president Dana White.
On May 14 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, Daniel fought the Irish fighter in their welterweight battle on the main-card fight on ABC 4. However, Garry knocked out the American fighter in the very first round.
UFC Charlotte video: Ian Garry unloads huge head kick leading to first-round knockout over Daniel Rodriguez (@DamonMartin) https://t.co/SjrdCOloQZ pic.twitter.com/WY7aE2hjKW
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 13, 2023
What did Dana White say to Daniel Rodriguez after the heartbreaking defeat?
D-Rod was hoping to change things for him this time since he lost to Neil Magny in his previous bout. But the 36-year-old fighter’s luck ran out in Charlotte too, as Ian outclassed him.
Dana, the UFC president, was aware of how devastating a knockout loss can be for a fighter. Rodriguez was exiting the arena with a broken heart when Dana approached the welterweight fighter.
Dana shook hands with the Californian fighter, expressed his compassion, and wished him luck for the future. Dana did an excellent job of playing the role of the ideal president, so it was lovely to see this brief gesture, which only lasted a few seconds.
“You’re a f***ing stud, we respect and appreciate you very much man. I just wanted to say goodbye before you left, alright? Keep your chin up, you’re always a f***ing stud.” Dana said.
Daniel shared the lovely moment of them speaking as they left Charlotte’s Spectrum Center. The former Bellator and King of the Cage combatant added a caption to the video with a few thoughts as well.
“Tough one !! Shit happens! But this takes the sting away a little. I was in a hurry to leave the arena after the fight. And boss had stopped us. I felt the respect, thanks G” Daniel wrote.
This may appear to be a very basic gesture, but it’s tiny things like this, the capacity to comprehend a fighter’s mindset, and the ability to demonstrate empathy when it’s needed that make Dana White the ultimate boss.
