Dana White hails 'hardcore' UFC fans in the UK before blockbuster London return in 2023

Dana White hails 'hardcore' UFC fans in the UK before blockbuster London return in 2023,EXCLUSIVE: Dana White has applauded the 'hardcore' fans that make UFC events in the United Kingdom so special ahead of their blockbuster London return in March at UFC 286

Dana White hails ‘hardcore’ UFC fans in the UK before blockbuster London return in 2023

Dana White has heaped praise on the 'hardcore' UFC fans based in the United Kingdom ahead of their London return with Leon Edwards' title defence in early 2023.

The UFC president has long been supportive of bringing the promotion across the Atlantic multiple times a year and instantly called for a stadium show after Edwards' took Kamaru Usman's welterweight crown in August, with the venue now confirmed as The O2 for a March event.

When asked about the continued rise of UFC fandom in the UK, White exclusively told Daily Star Sport: "I absolutely love our fans in the UK. Our fights there have been incredible and the atmosphere and energy the fans bring to the events makes it that much better."

INTERVIEW: Leon Edwards insists 'we're not going to see a better Kamaru Usman' in trilogy

White's love of UK fans and their growing support of UFC has seen him bring his Howler Head Monkey Spirit Banana Liqueur across the Atlantic – calling it a no brainer.

He said: "I know how hardcore the UFC fans are in the UK, so bringing Howler Head into this market was a no brainer.

"The numbers of people on Howler Head social media channels asking when we were going to bring it over was off the charts, so I am pumped to finally pull it off."

Will you be looking to attend UFC 286 at London's The O2? Tell us in the comments section below.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - AUGUST 20: (L-R) Kamaru Usman of Nigeria punches Leon Edwards of Jamaica in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 278 event at Vivint Arena on August 20, 2022 in Salt Lake City, Utah. — Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards will go head-to-head for a third time on March 18 2023 (Image: Zuffa LLC/Getty)

White was also full of praise for the path followed by Conor McGregor and his Proper No. Twelve Irish Whiskey, which has sold hundreds of thousands of bottles around the world.

He continued: "What Conor did with Proper Twelve is incredible. It’s always cool to see the UFC athletes use this platform to have success with their own brands."

With UFC 286 now booked in for March 18, the promotion will be back at the O2 for a third time in a calendar year following record-breaking gate numbers at both UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall and UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - AUGUST 20: New UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards speaks to the media following his UFC 278 win on August 20, 2022, at the Vivint in Salt Lake City, UT. — Leon Edwards is set to defend his title in the UK in early 2023 (Image: Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 23: A general view of the Octagon during the UFC Fight Night event at O2 Arena on July 23, 2022 in London, England. — Despite stadium interest, UFC 286 will be held at London's The O2 on March 18 (Image: Getty/Zuffa LLC)

Speaking to Daily Star Sport back in October, Edwards stated that fans won't see the same Usman as they did during his title reign following his brutal KO defeat in the fifth round of their rematch.

He said: "It was one of the worst performances of my career and that was the best Usman we're going to get.

"That's what he does in fights that's the best we will see – and it was the worst of me. I think it will be a totally different fight – with the same result."

Leon Edwards sat down with Daily Star Sport after being crowned UFC Welterweight Champion (Image: Daily Star)

With Edwards to headline the event in his trilogy bout, UK fans are hoping to see Arnold Allen in his quest to reach a featherweight title shot as well as the potential return of heavyweight star Tom Aspinall after his nasty knee injury.

Molly McCann could also feature as she looks to get back to winning ways, although Paddy Pimblett has insisted that he won't be returning to fight in England for a long time ahead of his PPV debut in Las Vegas.

Howler Head, an Aged Kentucky Spirit with Banana Flavouring and official partner of UFC, recently launched into the UK and is now available from the Tesco stores nationwide and online, as well as on Amazon and Master of Malt.