United Fighting Championship President Dana White says that Jason Aldean snubbed the chance to perform at UFC 216 in front of survivors of and 1st responders to the Las Vegas shooting
The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship is alleging that Jason Aldean snubbed the chance to perform in front of survivors of and 1st responders to the Las Vegas shooting.
UFC President Dana White further alleges that Aldean said he was too rattled by the shooting to perform and that he might not ever perform live again – only to perform at Saturday Night Live in New York City on the same night as the UFC event, TMZ reports.
‘F*** you Jason Aldean. Stay out of Vegas,’ White told TMZ.
White had wanted Aldean to perform the National Anthem at UFC 216: [Tony] Ferguson vs [Kevin] Lee, a mixed martial arts event in Las Vegas.
White says that he implored Aldean to perform and cited the significance of doing so for the survivors and for the Nevada city.
Aldean gave the closing performance at the Route 91 Harvest, a country music festival that took place in Las Vegas between Friday, September 29 and Sunday, October 1.
Jason Aldean allegedly declined the invitation. White claims that Aldean said he might never perform again. Aldean performed on Saturday Night Live (pictured), which is filmed in New York City. The UFC event on the same night took place in Las Vegas
Aldean is pictured in front with Wonder Woman star Gal Gadot and musician Sam Smith. Behind them is the cast of Saturday Night Live
During his performance, 64-year-old Stephen Paddock shot into the crowd from two windows at the Mandalay Bay hotel across the street.
Paddock killed 58 people before taking his own life in the deadliest mass shooting in United States history.
Aldean performed on Saturday Night Live, which is filmed in New York City.
The sketch comedy show ditched its traditional comedic cold open in favor of a solemn tribute by country music star Jason Aldean to both the victims of last Sunday night’s massacre in Las Vegas, as well as late rocker Tom Petty, who died from cardiac arrest this past week at the age of 66.
Aldean performed a rendition of I won’t Back Down, a 1989 hit single by Petty.
‘This week we witnessed one of the worst tragedies in American history,’ Aldean said.
‘Like everyone, I’m struggling to understand what happened that night and how to pick up the pieces and start to heal.
‘So many people are hurting. There are children, parents, brothers, sisters, friends. They’re all part of our family.
‘So I want to say to them: We hurt for you. We hurt with you. But you can be sure that we’re gonna walk through these tough times together every step of the way.
‘Because when America is at its best, our bond and our spirit – it’s unbreakable.’
People pay their respects at the Las Vegas Shooting Memorial to victims of the October 1 massacre at the Route 91 Harvest, a country music festival. Shooter Stephen Paddock killed 58 people before taking his own life
Paddock shot 58 people dead and wounded more than 500 when he opened fire. Festivalgoers are pictured diving for cover
Paddock is pictured in an undated photo
Aldean and his band then began their cover version of Petty’s hit.
In Aldean’s stead, Everlast performed the national anthem at the UFC event.
White opened the event with a message: ‘Don’t be afraid. Don’t let fear stop you. Continue to live life to the fullest and experience everything that life has to offer.
‘Together we will heal, together we will help the victims and their families. Together, we will be stronger than ever,’ Yahoo Sports reports.