UFC CEO Dana White Confirms Change of Heart Regarding Octagon Flag Ban

Dana White confirmed that
Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters can now carry their
country flag in the Octagon once again.

The promotion had initially banned fighters from carrying flags
last year amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, even taking
Weili
Zhang’s flag away from her following a victory. However,
middleweight prospect Joseph
Pyfer (12-2) proudly waved the American banner following a
stellar submission of Abdul
Razak Alhassan (12-6) in the co-main event at
UFC Fight Night 229 on Oct. 7.

Asked about the topic during Saturday’s post-fight press
conference, White confirmed that “flags are back.” He also shared
that his decision to end the ban was inspired by the recently
concluded Noche UFC event, held in honor of Mexican Independence
Day.

“I was on vacation during the Mexican Independence Day, and the no
flag thing drove me crazy. So I was like, ‘Yeah, f*ck that. We’re
bringing flags back.’ It drove me crazy,” White stated.

While White wasn’t vehemently against the ban in the beginning, he
finds himself unable to stand the idea of fighters not being able
to represent their countries.

“Everybody’s too soft, everybody’s too sensitive about everything,”
White declared. “When the decision was made to do this, I was just
like, ‘Eh, what’s the big deal if they don’t have flags?’ Mexican
Independence Day flipped the switch, and I was like, ‘That’s enough
of the no flags thing.’ Flags are back. If any flags hurt your
feelings, too f*cking bad.”