Dana White: After UFC 269, Gaethje Next for “Tough” Oliveira, But Will It Be in Brazil?

Las Vegas, NV — Following a successful title defense by Charles Oliveira to cap off the action-packed UFC 269 card, UFC President Dana White has credited “Do Bronx” as a tough fighter, and confirmed he has a date with Justin Gaethje next.

What White could not confirm following the event was whether Oliveira might get a chance to defend the title at home in Brazil in 2022.

“I always thought he was a tough guy. He’s had some bumps along the way,” White said when asked about Oliveira’s performance. The Brazilian, often overlooked during his decade-long career inside the octagon, submitted Dustin Poirier with a standing rear-naked choke in the third round. “Same thing with Poirier. But like I said at the press conference the other day, they’re two blue collar guys that have grinded their way to the top. He went in tonight and beat Dustin, Dustin is a very, very tough, durable, well-rounded guy who has a ton of experience. It was a big night for Oliveira.”

Asked if Gaethje was up next, White replied “yeah, it makes sense.” But as to whether Oliveira might defend the title in Brazil, the UFC President couldn’t say — and doesn’t appear particularly concerned either way.

“I have no idea what’s possible in 2022. I don’t give a sh*t. I could care less,” exclaimed White. “Texas, Florida, Apex. Florida, Texas, Apex. Abu Dhabi, Florida, Texas, Apex. I don’t give a sh*t if anything opens again. Whatever. I don’t care. I’m not even thinking about it. I could care less.”

Thus far through the pandemic era, the UFC has held the majority of their events inside the Apex in Las Vegas — their own small arena with an in-house production facility. Fortuitously, construction was completed shortly before the onset of COVID-19. As things have opened up, the promotion has ventured out to Florida, Texas, Abu Dhabi — to the well publicized “Fight Island” — and most recently, New York City.

Anaheim is up next, marking the promotion’s first trip to California since prior to the pandemic. Asked by Cageside Press if a Los Angeles show could be in the offing, White said “there’s nothing in the works right now.”

Later, White expanded on the possibility of the UFC venturing out to more cities next year. Columbus, Ohio in particular has been rumored, as has London, England.

“The Apex will still be used a lot. As places open up that are fan friendly, fighter friendly, UFC friendly, however you want to call it, we’ll do Fight Nights and Pay-Per-Views there,” White stated. “And if not we’ll stay in the Apex. Like I said when I started this thing, we can do Texas, Florida, Abu Dhabi, and Vegas. I’m fine with that.  We had an incredible year this year, it was amazing. We can do this forever if we have to.”

Watch the full UFC 269 post-fight press conference with Dana White above. More coverage from the event can be found below.