Stephens pushing Klose, with Shelby in the middle (image via YouTube/UFC)

By FCF Staff

Jeremy Stephens has been taking some heat for the weigh-in shove that injured Drakkar Klose and punted the UFC Vegas 24 fight. But, UFC President Dana White’s criticizing matchmaker Sean Shelby for not preventing the push.

Stephens was scheduled to face Klose in the co-headliner of last weekend’s event. But, after Stephens shoved Klose hard at the weigh-in faceoffs, the latter withdrew with a concussion and a cervical sprain.

Since then, White spoke with TSN, and while discussing the incident, he said this (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“He was coming in hot, and it’s Jeremy Stephens. He’s a savage,” White said. “I mean, yeah, we’re not standing there to look good and take pictures. We are there to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Sean Shelby missed that one. Sean Shelby, you know, Sean and I see the thing differently. I saw it on social media and called him immediately. I was at my daughter’s … I was in Orlando at the ESPN cheerleading competition. I saw the thing happen on social media and I called Sean and was like, ‘Dude, where was your head on that one?’”

White also reported that the promotion is hoping to rebook the match-up, provided Klose isn’t sidelined for long. So far, there have been no reports that Stephens will be disciplined by the UFC or the Nevada State Athletic Commision.