Dana White delivered a clear message to athletes following a gruesome armbar break at Dana White’s Contender Series: tapping is part of the sport.
The UFC president addressed the injury during the post-event press conference, where Jon Kunneman suffered a severe arm break after refusing to submit during Joseph Kropschot‘s armbar attempt in the opening bout.
White confirmed that doctors were attending to the injured athlete at the hospital, stating matter-of-factly, “I don’t have to be a doctor on the phone to know that guy’s in big trouble at the hospital right now.”
Despite acknowledging the athlete’s toughness, White emphasized that there should be no stigma around tapping out.
“How I got started in this sport was jiu-jitsu. That’s how I got started. And what happens to you if you don’t tap? Tapping is a part of the sport,” White explained. “It’s not anything that’s shunned on like, oh my god, that guy that guy’s a pu**y. He f**king tapped. I mean, that is not how this sport works.”
White stressed the long-term consequences of refusing to submit, noting “the damage that can be done to your arm for the rest of your life.”
He recalled watching the moment unfold, observing that the athlete “didn’t even look like he was in pain” and “had his other thumb up like this” while his arm bent unnaturally. “Dude, your arm is going the other direction. Put your thumb down,” White said.
The incident actually influenced White’s decision to sign Joseph, who secured the contract after the impressive submission. Initially uncertain about offering a contract after watching the first two rounds, White reconsidered when Joseph “went for that arm bar and got it and cranked it.” He decided to give the 31-year-old athlete a chance in the UFC.
White closed his comments by reiterating his respect for toughness while maintaining his position on submission safety.
“Yes, I respect that he is that tough, but there is nothing wrong with tapping in this sport,” he said.
