UFC president weighs in on UNLV AD candidates

Count Ultimate Fighting Championship president Dana White among those who are not excited about the finalists for the UNLV athletic director position.

White, who attended Bishop Gorman High School, was a supporter of South Point Arena general manager Steve Stallworth getting the job. Stallworth was not among the three finalists announced last week, drawing the ire of White.

“I think it’s insane!! Stallworth was the right guy for the job,” White wrote in a text message. “Stallworth knows, and has great relationships with, everyone and nobody would say no to him. Including me.”

UNLV is expected to make an offer to the AD candidate in the next few days.

• LASHLEY TO STRIKEFORCE — Former World Wrestling Entertainment star Bobby Lashley signed a deal to fight for Strikeforce.

The 33-year-old Lashley, 4-0 as a professional, will make his organizational debut Jan. 30 in Miami against an opponent still to be determined.

Like the UFC’s Brock Lesnar, who also made the move from professional wrestling, Lashley was a highly decorated amateur wrestler. He was a two-time NAIA champ at Missouri Valley College.

• RUNNING AWAY FOR GOOD — Houston Alexander’s performance against Kimbo Slice cost him the respect of many fans.

It will also cost him a job.

Alexander had become a fan favorite largely due to his exciting style, but he chose to stay away from Slice during their Dec. 5 bout at the Palms.

Slice won a unanimous decision, but was forced to chase Alexander around the cage for much of the fight. Many fans booed Alexander.

Apparently, UFC management felt the same way and Alexander will no longer be with the organization, White said.

• UFC 110 MAIN EVENT — The UFC’s first foray into Australia officially has a main event. The Feb. 21 card in Sydney will feature a heavyweight bout between top contenders Cain Velasquez and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.

The fight was originally part of UFC 108 on Jan. 2 at the MGM Grand, but Nogueira was forced to pull out with staph infection. He has recovered and is expected to be ready for the February date.

The bout should define a No. 2 contender behind Shane Carwin in the heavyweight division. But with the health situation of champion Lesnar, who has diverticulitis, the weight class is pretty much at a standstill.

• FAN EXPO — The UFC will hold its second fan expo May 28 and 29 at Mandalay Bay, with more than 200 companies expected to exhibit.

The first such event took place in July in conjunction with UFC 100 and drew an estimated 30,000 attendees.

• APPEARANCE — World Extreme Cagefighting competitors Joseph Benavidez and Scott Jorgensen will sign autographs at the No Fear store at Meadows Mall from 5 to 6 p.m. on Thursday.

Both fighters will be competing on the WEC card at the Palms on Saturday.

Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509.