Dana White said the UFC "never" gives stars favorable matchups, pushing back on criticism that Paddy Pimblett had an easy route toward a January interim lightweight title fight with Justin Gaethje.
In interviews released this week, White argued that top names including Pimblett, Conor McGregor, Jon Jones and Anderson Silva all had to fight their way up rather than being protected by matchmaking.
The claim clashes with several fast-track examples often cited by critics: Silva won the title in his second UFC fight, McGregor got a title shot after beating Dennis Siver, and Jones became champion in March 2011 after a rapid rise.
The debate comes as White also discusses UFC 330 in Philadelphia next month and the promotion's next steps for McGregor, Pimblett and other marketable contenders.