The entry into the mixed martial arts world of former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL star Herschel Walker drew a harsh rebuke from the most powerful man in the sport, UFC President Dana White, who called the 47-year-old's foray into MMA, "ridiculous." But on Tuesday Walker fired back and said White doesn't understand the kind of athletic talent he has."Who ever made him the guy to measure athletic talent?" Walker said on ESPN First Take. "I don't think Dana knows anything about athletic talent. He knows about fighters, which is different, but I will say this: He's running a show right now with heavyweights and I'll put dimes to donuts, all the heavyweights on his show right now I will beat. That's pretty easy to say. I always tell people put their money where their mouth is. Dana says I'm so old? Why doesn't he step into the ring with me?"
Walker claims that he works out six hours a day and he's in even better shape now than he was during his playing days, and he said he could be fighting for Strikeforce before the end of the year.
"I'm shooting for the middle of December," Walker said. "I want sooner than later. It's not like I'm going to be a fighter for years."
Although Walker wasn't pleased with what White said about him, he came across in the First Take interview like a man who genuinely loves MMA and is just looking for an opportunity to test himself. And he even thanked White and UFC co-owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta for making MMA a viable sport.
"We got to give Dana his props," Walker said. "Dana and the Fertittas have done a great, great job with the UFC."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-29-2009 @ 1:31PM
Jesus Loves YOU! said...
I don't think Mr. White realizes what a freak of nature Herschel is. Trust me... he's in better shape than men 1/2 his age, and is so focused and meticulous about what ever sport he engages in. Yes, please... let's see Dana in the ring with Herschel.
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9-30-2009 @ 4:24PM
Eric said...
Last time I checked Dana is doing pretty well as the head of the UFC ... don't think he needs to start fighting.
I'm sorry & I'm sure that I'll make alot of enemies, but jealousy is the one and only reason for so many Dana Haters. Who cares if he curses and voices his opinion. GET OVER IT, EVERYONE!!
9-29-2009 @ 1:59PM
sm90901 said...
If Walker thinks he can beat all those guys on TUF, why didn't he audition? Obviously the UFC was making this the TUF Quasi-Celebrity Edition edition anyway, so he would have made it easy.
Sorry Hersch, but I saw Morton fight, and he did about as much for NFL respectability in MMA as Sylvia did for the MMA vs. Boxing debate.
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9-29-2009 @ 3:26PM
morganboys24 said...
all due respect herschel but I think you are in over your head. to call out all the heavy weights in the ufc. Are you stupid? I'm not a big mma fan but you won't last a round with any of them. they will tap you out in the first 60 seconds.
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9-29-2009 @ 4:02PM
BRIAN said...
Oh the poor guy, reality will hit and knock him out. I like the guy but wow! He should be on the next tuf but then that would take up someone else's legitimate dream.
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9-29-2009 @ 5:09PM
chilly16 said...
Damn I didn't think he was so cocky. I was rooting for this guy. Now I want to see him get smashed into early parkinson's.
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9-29-2009 @ 5:25PM
richardbikle said...
dimes to donuts... wher can you buy a donut for a dime?
does he really think hes ready for a top HW? this guy woln't be able to get out of bed for a week after a real fight.
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10-03-2009 @ 9:44AM
baxka1 said...
Ya your the expert on this subject....Your only lifetime experience is fighting your boyfriend for the bottom position! Go watch some gay porn...
10-03-2009 @ 12:50PM
richardbikle said...
the whole world can see you're the one with man fantasys, ur such a retrojoke (thats the ultimate insult, he's a complete idiot - like u)
9-30-2009 @ 2:15AM
otomix7 said...
I think Herschel has been into Martial Arts for over 25 years. Remember a guy named George Foreman
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9-30-2009 @ 7:53AM
Eric said...
As SM90901 said above, Herschel should have tried out for TUF. To talk a bunch of sh*t now when he could have auditioned for the show is without class. He may do OK against a couple hand-picked SF opponents, but starting a new career at 47 that involves getting punched in the face isn't a particularly smart thing to do.
I'd would love to have seen the "seemingly out-of-shape" Roy Nelson spank his "Athletically gifted" butt.
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10-01-2009 @ 12:00AM
Mr. Denning said...
after watching roy just "fight"...I would put serious money on Herschel if those two fought. roy couldn't spank anything...not even himself.
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10-01-2009 @ 1:18AM
claytor said...
With all due respect, Herschel has been practicing martial arts and staying insanely physically fit even more now than when he was in the NFL. The guy once talked about doing hundreds of pushups, situps, and various other exercises daily. He still does. Trust me, the guy is in phenomenal shape, if he wants to test his mettle, so be it.
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