UFC President Dana White has emphatically dismissed the idea of hosting boxing bouts for his top champions, Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, thereby quashing recent discussions from within his roster about crossover fights.
Dana White’s Stance at UFC London
During the post-fight press conference at UFC London, White was questioned about the possibility of Zuffa Boxing facilitating crossover fights for Pereira or Topuria, given both fighters’ expressed interest in transitioning to boxing. White’s response was an unequivocal “no way in hell,” asserting that such events were “garbage” and incompatible with the UFC’s core identity.
White reiterated his commitment to promoting elite mixed martial arts contests, emphasizing that his priority is pitting top MMA athletes against one another within the octagon, not organizing singular boxing spectacles. He suggested that “other networks and individuals” could manage crossover events, but clarified that this approach “is not my forte,” indicating that despite the long-speculated Zuffa Boxing venture, he has no intention of adopting the crossover fight strategy embraced by other promotional entities.
Alex Pereira’s Long-Term Boxing Ambition
Alex Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and a former two-division kickboxing titleholder, has openly discussed his aspirations to enter professional boxing once his mixed martial arts career concludes. In a recent interview, he affirmed his intention to “definitely box,” highlighting his track record of overcoming skepticism in both kickboxing and MMA.
The formidable Brazilian striker has characterized his boxing ambitions as a personal quest for challenge, rather than a pursuit of financial gain, stating, “it’s not about aiming for more money” but simply a desire to “go out there and fight.” Last year, he even mused about a potential superfight against unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, which briefly sparked rumors of a high-profile cross-sport encounter, though White’s recent remarks have effectively dampened such prospects.
Ilia Topuria Eyeing a Full Switch
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has likewise expressed a strong inclination towards boxing as his subsequent career phase following his MMA journey. In a discussion with the Spanish publication Marca, he revealed his long-standing desire to “always wanted to try [his] hand at boxing” and conceded that he doesn’t foresee remaining in MMA for an extended period.
The Georgian-Spanish fighter articulated his intention to “finish his story in mixed martial arts” prior to making a full transition, contending that alternating between MMA and boxing training camps would be “unprofessional.” Topuria underscored the necessity of adjusting to boxing’s unique timing, training regimens, and ring dynamics. He also predicted that his eventual shift would “surprise more than a few people,” a declaration now directly conflicting with White’s firm stance against enabling any UFC-supported crossover events.
White’s recent statements draw a distinct organizational boundary, separating UFC championship pursuits from the sort of boxing crossovers that have recently generated considerable pay-per-view interest elsewhere. Although Pereira and Topuria persist in discussing their long-term boxing aspirations, these goals will have to remain on hold until they either complete or are released from their UFC contractual commitments, as their promoter has unequivocally declared he will not endorse their boxing ventures under the UFC brand.