Prior to UFC 80, Dana White spoke with Pramit Mohapatra of Sports Illustrated on a number of topics.  As usual, he had some interesting things to say.

White was asked about whether the UFC has consolidated the American fan base and that is why he is comfortable moving out to other geographies.He responded that there is still a lot of work to do in America but that shouldn’t prevent the UFC from looking to grow globally as well.

No, I don’t think we’ve done that. As far as the U.S. goes, everyone talks about how successful we’ve become and everything that’s happened but we’re far from mainstream in the U.S. I don’t think we’ve even scratched the surface of how big we’re going to be in the U.S. But, I believe that this sport — this sport and this sport alone — can break out into the rest of the world. We have talent from all over the world.

You think about the NFL, right? There’s nothing bigger in the United States than the NFL — it’s huge. I don’t care if you didn’t watch one football game all season, everybody watches the Super Bowl. But, they can’t break through into Europe — they can’t break into Europe — and it’s because nobody plays football here. Nobody cares.

It’s like saying that cricket is going to make it big over in the United States. It’s never going to happen. But I think two guys, put them in the Octagon, and they can use any martial art they want — that breaks through all cultural barriers, language barriers — everything. Inside all of us as human beings, people like fighting. People get it, people like it. It doesn’t have to be explained to them. They don’t have to know first down, second down, punt, kick — they don’t have to know any of that stuff.

As far as a new American TV deal, will the UFC be on a major American network?

Absolutely. I guarantee we’re going to be on a network, and soon (..) It’ll be the prime time. It will be ready when we cut a deal that works for us. I’m not going to go out there and cut any stupid deals. I use boxing as the blueprint of what not to do with this sport. And, no matter what, we’re out there, we’re working hard, we’re trying to grow the UFC and expose it to more people, and get it into other countries. But, we’re not going to cut any deals that don’t make sense for this business long-term.

Which network?  HBO, CBS, NBC?

I’d say they’re all still alive. We’re talking to a lot of different networks, and no door has closed with any network.

Closing the interview, White was asked about his comments at the UFC 79 press conference about Mark Cuban. What are his thoughts on Cuban and his other competitors?

I don’t think HDNet Fights earns my respect. Mark Cuban does as a businessman. I’m thrilled — thrilled — that Mark Cuban’s involved in this sport because he’s going to spend a lot of money and, when you get these guys — even if it’s the lower-level guys, like the people I have no respect whatsoever for the people at Pro Elite or IFL or any of these other organizations, I have no respect for those guys at all. But, I’m glad they’re here. They’re going to come in, they’re going to spend a lot of money, the fighters will get some experience and get some wins under their belt and they’ll make some money. They’re the minor leagues. And, eventually these guys will end up in the UFC. A guy like Mark Cuban and now he’s talking with Floyd Mayweather — Floyd Mayweather is running around with $70 million in his pocket right now and we know Floyd loves to spend money. Cuban is smart. I’m sure he’s pulling Floyd in to invest in this thing and it’s good for everybody. I love it.

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