The Weekly Wrap: March 28 - April 3

White to scale down UFC role

A report from Sherdog.com this week touched off a firestorm of commentary and resulted in UFC President Dana White scaling back his role as the public face of the company. The article, written by Sherdog.com News Editor Loretta Hunt, reported on a UFC and WEC policy that is said to deny certain fighters' representatives credentials to be present backstage with their clients during events. Reps were told they could apply for one of three cornermen credentials offered by the commissions, but took issue with that option. Several agents speaking on condition of anonymity expressed frustration with the policy and concern for the position it could put fighters in if they are approached backstage about matters on which agents should be advising them.

The UFC did not respond to Sherdog's requests for comment, but White did respond in a profanity-laced video blog. White said fighters have always been able to credential whoever they want to be backstage, though at least two fighter representatives accustomed to being backstage told Sherdog that they were no longer allowed there for three UFC cards and one WEC card this year. White's blog was eventually deleted from YouTube, but not before the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation called on White to apologize for his use of a slur for homosexuals in the video. White posted an apology video, saying: “Anybody who knows me knows that I would never, ever maliciously attack somebody who wasn’t attacking me.”

White also used derogatory terms in addressing Hunt and her article. He has not issued her an apology.

It appears the fallout from the episode will be significant. Wrestlingobserver.com reported that White’s role as the public face of the UFC will be greatly reduced. He will cease doing his video blogs, has cancelled a reality show on his life that was in the works and is going to reduce his role in the public eye. The Carmichael Dave Show said White told him White said he is “done playing the media games.”