Is Dana White Resurrecting Zuffa Boxing? The UFC Boss’s Latest Move Has Boxing Fans Talking
For years, “Zuffa Boxing” has been the punchline to a joke that never quite landed. UFC President Dana White’s ambitious plans to revolutionize the sweet science the same way he did with mixed martial arts seemed destined to remain just that – plans. But like a fighter everyone counted out, this dormant project might be climbing off the canvas for an unexpected comeback.
I’ve been covering Dana White’s on-again, off-again relationship with boxing since he first teased the Zuffa Boxing concept back in 2017. Remember the Mayweather-McGregor press tour when White strutted around in those infamous Zuffa Boxing shirts? Good times.
The Return of Dana’s Boxing Dreams?
The image making rounds online shows White alongside boxing heavyweight Francis Ngannou, sparking fresh speculation that Zuffa Boxing might not be dead after all. This potential revival comes at an interesting time in Ngannou’s career trajectory, as the former UFC heavyweight champion continues his journey in professional boxing after his high-profile departure from the UFC.
White has been uncharacteristically quiet about boxing lately. After years of promising to “fix” the sport with the Zuffa Boxing brand, his enthusiasm seemed to wane as he confronted the sport’s deeply entrenched power structures and promotional challenges.
“I realized what a mess it was,” White told reporters back in 2020. “Every time I started to try to figure out how to make something work, I would run into another roadblock.”
Why Boxing Might Make Sense for White Now
The landscape has shifted significantly since White’s initial boxing ambitions. Consider:
- The UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, now has tremendous resources following the merger with WWE
- Crossover boxing events like Paul vs. Tyson have demonstrated massive commercial appeal
- The fragmentation of boxing championships creates opportunity for a unified approach
- White’s promotional expertise could fill a leadership void in boxing’s promotional landscape
Could Ngannou Be White’s Trojan Horse?
There’s beautiful irony in the possibility that Francis Ngannou – the man who walked away from the UFC over contractual disputes – might somehow factor into White’s boxing ambitions. After impressive showings against Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Ngannou has established himself as a legitimate heavyweight boxing attraction.
While a reconciliation between White and Ngannou seems unlikely given their history, stranger things have happened in combat sports. Remember when White swore Conor McGregor would never box Floyd Mayweather? Yeah, exactly.
What This Could Mean for MMA Fighters
If Zuffa Boxing becomes reality, it creates interesting questions for UFC fighters with boxing aspirations:
| Potential Benefits | Potential Concerns |
|---|---|
| New revenue streams for fighters | More restrictive contracts |
| Cross-promotional opportunities | Focus diverted from MMA development |
| Higher profile boxing matchups | Risk of watering down both sports |
The Dana White Factor
Say what you want about Dana White (and people say plenty), but his promotional acumen is undeniable. The man turned a $2 million purchase into a $4+ billion empire. Boxing, despite its storied history and occasional megafights, has struggled with fragmentation, confusing championship structures, and promotional warfare.
White’s no-nonsense approach could be exactly what boxing needs – or it could crash spectacularly against the sport’s entrenched interests. Either way, it’ll be entertaining to watch.
What’s Next?
Until White officially announces anything, this remains speculation fueled by a single image. But in the fight game, where perception often becomes reality, don’t be surprised if we start hearing more concrete plans in the coming months.
The idea of Zuffa Boxing has been knocked down repeatedly, but it seems the final bell hasn’t rung just yet. And if there’s one thing Dana White loves more than making money, it’s proving his critics wrong.
What do you think? Is Zuffa Boxing finally happening, or is this just another false start? Drop your thoughts in the comments – I’m particularly interested in which UFC fighters you’d most want to see try their hand at professional boxing.
Source: Vox