Dana White leans on Saudi Arabia finances as UFC | Sports News

Dana White has long-stated his intentions to get back into boxing with the UFC president now committing to doing so after announcing a new league alongside Saudi Arabian billionaire Turki Alalshikh.

Discussions between the two have been ongoing for months, with Alalshikh making a huge impact on boxing in recent years, turning some of the biggest and most-wanted fights to a reality over in Saudi Arabia.

White had taken his UFC shows to Saudi Arabia in 2024, and appears to have been working on a deal with Alalshikh and now announcing that he will be involved in a new league format of the sport.

White said: “The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see. The best will fight the best, and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions.

“We will continue to make announcements on where you can watch and all the rest of the details of the business as we get closer to the launch. I’ll see you soon.”

White had added: “I wouldn’t be where I am today without boxing. The sport of boxing is where I started. I felt like it was something that could never be fixed until [Turki Alalshikh] showed up. He has done more for boxing than any promoter in the history of the sport combined. He has invested more money, more energy and more passion into the sport than literally ever.

“Everybody knows the format. The best fight the best. You work your way up the rankings and once somebody breaks into the top five, there’s no question who the top five guys are in each weight class and they fight it out. And once somebody holds that belt, you don’t need three letters in front of that belt. Whoever has the belt is the best in the world in that weight class.”

In the release, Alashikh has said: “This landmark partnership between industry powerhouses sets the stage for an unparalleled experience for boxers and fans. Together, we are developing the next generation of talent and delivering world-class events at a time when the sport is primed for further disruption.”

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The new partnership will be between TKO Group Holdings, Inc, where White is CEO, and Saudi’s General Minister for Entertainment, Alalshikh. Boxers signed to the promotion will have use of the UFC’s new performance institutes, building three in Las Vegas, Shanghai and Mexico City.

It is unclear whether the likes of Eddie Hearn or Frank Warren will be involved in the new league, who have also been involved with Alalshikh over the last four years in making mega-fights.