The rumors are now a reality and UFC Dana White is officially back in the boxing business with the help of wealthy promoter Turki Alalshikh.
Fight fans know Dana White as the man that has guided the UFC into being the biggest combat sports brand in the world. However, the 55-year-old has deep roots to the sweet science. It was a sport he competed in during his youth, and how he first entered the business of fight sports well before he started working for the UFC.
For years, he has hinted that he would eventually like to get back into it and help create a company similar to the UFC. However, it seems like he has never really gotten close to making that a reality. That is until rumors started to spread late last year that something might be brewing between him and wealthy Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh.
Well, the UFC CEO revealed on Wednesday that a deal has been finalized and it looks like it will include WWE executive Nick Khan.
Dana White will work with WWE’s Nick Khan on new boxing promotion
“What’s up guys? We have just done a deal to start a new boxing league with Turki, who absolutely loves the sport of boxing,” White said in a video he posted to his social accounts on Wednesday morning.
“I am very happy today. I give the flag of boxing to the best man that can handle it,” Alalshikh said in the video which includes a contract signing and photo op with WWE President Nick Khan. “He has a tough job now but I am sure he will deliver to fans a magnificent league and get boxing to be great again.”
White seemed to suggest his new league will follow the same model as the UFC and wants to see “the best fight the best.” He also added that more details will follow on the league’s broadcast home once it gets closer to its official launch.
It is unclear which fighters will be on the inaugural roster, but one would assume the fighters that Alalshikh has worked with in recent years will be a part of the deal. Furthermore, WWE President Nick Khan’s role in the company has not yet been announced.
