Dana White's conference call notes

Get more pictures like this from SHERDOG.COM

UFC President Dana White held a previously scheduled press conference this afternoon. He immediately began talking about the negotiations with Fedor Emelianenko and his management team, M-1 Global.

White said that they went above and beyond to get Fedor in the UFC, they gave up every concession except co-promotion with M-1. He predicted that Fedor would never get another deal like the one they offered him.

White said he wanted Fedor so badly, he was so sure it was going to happen, he invited M-1 to call him if they were ready to negotiate. He simply said that Fedor doesn't want to fight the best. The UFC was willing to make a deal at just about any cost.

Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz are both signed and will fight in the UFC. Belfort has replaced Dan Henderson and will take on Rich Franklin at UFC 103, they will fight at 205lbs. He also said that Henderson would likely be the next challenger to Anderson Silva's middleweight championship.

White said Tito Ortiz would retire in the UFC. Tito Ortiz said that time heals all wounds and that White apologized to him, it was never about money, he is ok financially. Ortiz also said that he was training with famed boxing coach Freddie Roach and would be back inside the octagon before the year was over. He said Strikeforce offered no serious competition and that if he were to rematch Frank Shamrock it would lead to the first death in MMA. His back is feeling good and he feels no more numbness in his legs. He said it hasn't been this healthy since he fought Ken Shamrock at UFC 40.

White said that they were exploring the idea of a Tito Ortiz vs. Mark Coleman match-up. Tito said the UFC made him an offer he couldn't refuse and that we would never hear him complain about money again. Ortiz said he may dominate at light heavyweight and then move up to heavyweight to fight Brock Lesnar.

The UFC has signed a 3 year deal with ESPN in the UK. The service will be free for the month of August thus allowing viewers to watch UFC 101 & 102 for free in high definition. He also said they were always talking to networks and he was confident they would eventually get a deal done, once they receive the right offer. He said the biggest stumbling block is the UFC's refusal to let anyone else produce their events.

White said that the UFC would make its way to Japan, in fact he said they could not be stopped. He said their goal is to hold shows worldwide. He commented on the upcoming Mayweather-Marquez fight and said that is not the fight that fans want to see, they want to see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather instead.

When the subject of former UFC heavyweight champions Tim Sylvia and Andrei Arlovski were brought up, White said they had no interest in either fighter. White also said that the deal that would change the face of the UFC was not bringing Tito back, but is something that is very close to happening.

White commented on how UFC 100 was a huge success, they had over 25 million viewers in Mexico. Ortiz said he would love to headline a card in Mexico City.

Dana took questions on everything from Fedor to Tito and everything in between. So we can look forward to the return of two former champions to the octagon in Ortiz and Belfort. Unfortunately the opportunity for Fedor to fight for the UFC is slowly slipping away. White said he was sure it would happen, so I can see where all of those earlier reports came from. As a fan first I have to say this news stinks, I was looking forward to watching Fedor against Lesnar.

Special thanks to MMA Fanhouse and Luke Thomas for the updates.