Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, recently discussed Francis Ngannou’s boxing match against Tyson Fury on Donald Trump Jr.’s Triggered video podcast. White admitted that he didn’t watch the fight but praised Ngannou for going the distance with the heavyweight boxing champ, Tyson Fury.
White’s reaction to the fight between Ngannou and Fury was initially dismissive, as he had called it a “gimmick” fight when it was first announced. He expressed concerns about Ngannou’s decision to pursue boxing over re-signing with the UFC. However, White’s tone has changed since the fight.
In his conversation with Trump Jr., White acknowledged that fighters have to make decisions that are right for them and their families. He didn’t express any concern about fighters crossing over to boxing for big paydays, despite his initial opposition to Ngannou’s decision.
When asked about the possibility of the UFC getting involved in the boxing promotion business, White remained uninterested. He agreed with Trump Jr. that the boxing business was “broken” due to various issues, including the pay structure in boxing. Boxing traditionally allows fighters to take a larger share of the event’s profits, leading to potential corruption and a lack of control.
White emphasized the importance of building a business, and he pointed out that the UFC was successful in creating a business model for mixed martial arts. He suggested that boxing lacks the structure to do the same. White’s comments highlighted his reservations about venturing into boxing promotion and his belief in the UFC’s successful business model.