UFC President Dana White has definitively shut down any possibility of his promotion hosting boxing matches for its top fighters, including reigning champions Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria. This emphatic declaration effectively squashes the growing speculation and the fighters’ own expressed ambitions for crossover boxing bouts.
Dana White’s Unwavering Stance at UFC London
During the post-fight press conference at UFC London, White was directly questioned about the potential use of Zuffa Boxing to promote crossover fights for Pereira or Topuria, both of whom have publicly voiced their interest in future boxing endeavors. White responded with an unequivocal “no way in hell,” dismissing such events as “s**t” that fundamentally do not align with the UFC’s identity.
White stressed that his primary focus remains on pitting elite mixed martial artists against each other under MMA rules, rather than organizing one-off spectacles involving boxers. He further clarified that while “other networks and other people” might pursue crossover events, it is “not what I do.” This statement indicates that even his long-discussed Zuffa Boxing brand would not be leveraged for such contests, diverging from models popularized by other promoters.
Alex Pereira’s Long-Standing Boxing Ambition
Alex Pereira, the current UFC light heavyweight champion and a former two-division kickboxing titleholder, has openly shared his plan to transition into professional boxing once his MMA career concludes. In recent interviews, he reiterated his commitment, stating he is “definitely going to box” and expressing confidence in his ability to prove doubters wrong, just as he successfully did in both kickboxing and MMA.
The renowned Brazilian knockout artist frames a boxing campaign as a personal challenge rather than a pursuit of financial gain, insisting it’s “not about aiming for more money” but simply wanting “to go out there and fight.” Last year, he even entertained the idea of a superfight with unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, briefly fueling speculation about a high-profile cross-code clash until White’s latest comments put a definitive end to that narrative.
Ilia Topuria Eyes a Complete Transition to Boxing
UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria has given an even clearer indication that he views boxing as the next chapter after his MMA career. In an interview with the Spanish outlet Marca, Topuria revealed a long-standing desire to “always wanted to try [his] hand at boxing” and admitted he doesn’t expect to remain in MMA “too long.”
The Georgian-Spanish star articulated his plan to “finish [his] story in mixed martial arts” before making a complete transition, arguing that simultaneously balancing MMA and boxing training camps would not be “very professional.” Topuria highlighted the necessity of adapting to boxing-specific timing, training methodologies, and the unique ring environment, predicting his eventual move “is going to surprise more than a few people.” This prediction now stands in stark contrast to White’s firm refusal to facilitate any UFC-backed crossover showcase.
Dana White’s recent comments draw a clear organizational line, distinguishing UFC championship campaigns from the type of lucrative boxing crossover experiments that have generated significant pay-per-view headlines elsewhere. While Pereira and Topuria may continue to harbor long-term aspirations in the boxing ring, those ambitions will undoubtedly have to wait until they fulfill or exit their UFC contractual obligations, as their promoter has unequivocally stated he will not promote them in boxing under his own banner.
