UFC president Dana White has been talking about his anticipated venture into the world of boxing promotion.
In the past we have seen the UFC’s biggest stars, most notably Conor McGregor and Francis Ngannou, find their feet in the ring, but now White seems to want a piece of the pie for himself.
White confirmed UFC fighters would not be allowed to compete in boxingGetty
He is currently working with 23-year-old Irish boxer Callum Walsh, who retained his WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight Title against Przemyslaw Runowski last week.
Speaking after week seven of his Contender Series, White confirmed that he plans to make waves in the sport of boxing, which has recently seen huge investment from Saudi Arabia and Turki Alalshikh.
He said: “People have been talking about the demise of boxing for 30 years and we’re still here talking about boxing right now.
“I have a plan. I’m going to implement that plan and we’ll see how this thing works.
“I have always had an idea of how it should be done, I don’t know if that’s possible but we’re going to find out – I’m coming in guns blazing.”
McGregor set a precedent for UFC stars to transition into the boxing ring when he fought Floyd Mayweather in August, 2017.
The bout was promoted as The Biggest Fight in Combat Sports History and became the second highest pay-per-view in fighting history, behind Mayweather’s fight with Manny Pacquiao, attracting over four million buys.
However, White was insistent that any fighters who are currently under contract at the UFC would not be allowed to compete in boxing.
“God, I hope not. Yeah, no, completely separate,” he said.
“Everything is about timing, and is now the time? We’re going to find out. There’s a lot of things I think I can do that other people haven’t done yet.”
Mayweather vs McGregor is one of the most successful fights of all timeGetty Images – Getty
Although UFC fighters would be restricted from trying their luck in boxing, White did also confirm that anyone under contract in any of his promotions would have access to the UFC’s Performance Institute.
This week, Sean O’Malley and Devin Haney have been going back and forth online. So, we may find the pair in a sparring match, rather than a crossover event.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Ngannou also made his boxing debut against a titan of the sport.
He lost to Tyson Fury by a narrow split decision in October last year, before falling to Anthony Joshua, who was knocked out by Daniel Dubois at Wembley this month.
Joshua is promoted by Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn, who White repeatedly praised in response to a comment about how the former was ‘envious’ of the way the UFC President operates with his negotiations.
“Eddie Hearn is dead on, I absolutely agree with everything,” he said.
“I like him very much. He was at the [UFC 306] Sphere fight, he came early before it had started. I have a great relationship with him and would love to work with him.
“I think if you ask anybody…the UFC model works. It works.”
White also confirmed that any announcements for his boxing venture would come at the beginning of 2025, but did say where he plans on building its headquarters.
With the ever-increasing popularity of the UFC and other promotions like Power Slap, you would think the 55-year-old would be running out of space.
But, White brushed aside any worries about that issue, saying he would simply build any offices right at the Apex, a UFC-owned production centre.
“The office will be there. We’re already doing construction here and I’m planning to build all the construction here at the Apex,” he added.
UFC Fight Night takes place in Paris this weekend as Renato Moicano faces Benoit Saint Denis in the lightweight division.
White said the fight should be ‘an absolute war’, while emphasising his excitement for the UFC returning to Paris.
