Dana White never really hit it off with Holly Holm's longtime manager Lenny Fresquez.
Even going back to before Holm signed with the promotion in 2014, Fresquez and the UFC president had very different ideas about how much she was worth.
After Holm KO'd Ronda Rousey at UFC 193, that conversation shifted to one about how best to manage her career. White and UFC brass advocated for Holm to wait for a massive payday in a rematch with Rousey later in 2016, but Holm's team insisted she stay active.
Holm stayed active Saturday night at UFC 196 when she lost her title to top contender Miesha Tate, who choked the champion unconscious in the fifth round.
Making the rounds discussing the fallout from this weekend, White wasn't shy about taking some more shots at Ol' Lenny.
"The sad part about that whole thing is, and listen, he's an old boxing guy who thinks he's smart and he isn't," White said of Fresquez on ESPN's Russillo & Kanell. "The thing I feel bad about is I feel bad for Holly because I don't know if Holly really knows what she lost. I think she has so much faith in the people that surround her she feels like, 'Well, they've got me here.' We had this meeting and Holly wasn't even in it. Holly, that's your life! You should be in that meeting. Don't leave it to these people, this guy. Oh my god.
"Listen, Holly made a lot of money, she accomplished great things, she beat Ronda Rousey, but it could have been so much bigger for her. The sad part is I don't [think she even knows.]
Asked for a response by ESPN's Brett Okamoto, Fresquez says both he and Holm are very aware of what they might have left on the table not waiting for Rousey.
"Of course, she knows," Fresquez said. "It was a team decision, and Holly is the boss. She wanted to fight, and she got her wish. I think she'll fight Miesha or Ronda next. That's my personal feeling, but who knows what the UFC has cooking? Holly was dominant in that fight against Miesha except for the second and fifth round. She paid for it. Hat's off to Miesha for capitalizing.
"What happens next is the UFC's decision. All I can speak to are Holly's wishes. Holly wants to fight Miesha right away. She wants to fight Ronda Rousey. Even with the title, a fight between Miesha and Rousey doesn't have the glamour a fight with Holly and Ronda does. Yeah, Holly lost. She made a mistake, but she'll learn from it. Everyone saw she's a warrior."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Cupcake. Miesha Tate wonders if "broken woman" Ronda Rousey will "ever come back the same."
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Nate Diaz, Conor McGregor, Miesha Tate, Holly Holm and Amanda Nunes move forward following UFC 196.
'I think I broke her already.' UFC strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk talks filming TUF with top contender Claudia Gadelha.
'It hypes him up.' Nate Diaz's coach says Conor McGregor's trash talk pumped Diaz up "even more."
Get well. Chris Leben's comeback with Bellator scrapped due to heart issue.
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Matt Serra vs Georges St-Pierre.
Highlights from RFA 36.
Nate Diaz sounds open to a rematch with Conor McGregor.
UFC 196 Rewind.
GSP talking Conor, non-retirement.
Gracie Breakdown of Tate-Holm and Diaz-McGregor.
Long watches.
Conor McGregor vs Nate Diaz Post Fight Analysis - UFC 196 - Firas Zahabi
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TWEETS
Nate vs. GSP?
@NateDiaz209 let me see what I can do...I know @GeorgesStPierre was very impressed by your performance. & So was I. https://t.co/jFu3hSt0Q2
— Firas Zahabi (@Firas_Zahabi) March 9, 2016
Redemption.
Yes he will 100% he's a champion https://t.co/8Tkh89ikd6
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) March 9, 2016
@hollyholm will get that belt back she's in the gym working!!! https://t.co/X161Zv6fB9
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 9, 2016
Interested?
I respect both guys a lot. But I expect to face either @SpiderAnderson or @bisping next. @ufc @danawhite Let's make it happen 4 the fans!!
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) March 9, 2016
Glad they caught it.
Also more to come about my Heart issue i'm sure I'm going to do 100 interviews the next week talking about it I... https://t.co/EBYuWfEPuO
— Chris Leben (@ChrisLebenMMA) March 9, 2016
Get well soon.
Sorry to all my fans & @gonzagabjj I tried my best but had to pull out bc I hurt my knee & can barely walk. pic.twitter.com/OTLmCHr901
— Ruslan Magomedov (@MagomedovUFC) March 9, 2016
Buds.
Late night cutting weight got me like... #ufc pic.twitter.com/WgTQ9dK7c6
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) March 9, 2016
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) March 9, 2016
Beef.
So @BryanCaraway do you want to finally make a name for yourself or will you retire in peace, and become a housewife? #MrTate #UFC196 @ufc
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 8, 2016
Before the day is gone I have to acknowledge all the STRONG women of the @UFC! @BryanCaraway #InternationalWomensDay pic.twitter.com/NlSYH2Nuj1
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) March 9, 2016
Rose busy?
Oh hey stud watch me on season 22 of @dancingabc pic.twitter.com/EwCkT4VYwo
— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) March 8, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
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