Dana White Blasts Boxing Again, UFC Announces Its First Fight In Saudi
In today’s MMA news, Dana White has hit out at the sport of boxing once again after expressing his intention to put on a mega event at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
White’s attention was piqued after the music band U2 had decided to perform, which prompted the CEO of the UFC to consider fights on Mexican Independence Day at the venue.
And as part of that process, it would allow the UFC to become the first organisation in combat sports to hold an event there. Although that may have been the case, Oscar De La Hoya has suggested doing the same in boxing.
An idea for a Super Bowl weekend card at the Sphere was suggested, which would require working with Eddie Hearn and Bob Arum in a cross promotion. However, White questioned boxing’s ability to hold mega events at the venue.
White On Boxing
“These boxing guys are calling them up going, ‘Oh, we want to do a fight over there.’ Those f*cking guys. They’re not going to spend the money to put a f*cking show on there. Those guys can’t even do f*cking replays for Christ’s sake. They think they’re going to f*cking put on an event at the Sphere?
“The Sphere is a whole other level and basically, in my opinion, I don’t run the Sphere and it’s not my company, but it’s so good that for the first at least year, they should do nothing but incredible experiences. I will put on the greatest live combat sports event anybody has ever seen at the Sphere in September for Mexican Independence Day. I f*cking guarantee it,” White
“Obviously because I want it for Independence Day, but it’ll take that long for us to really work this thing out and figure it out. Plus, you know I will spend the money to make it right. Boxing is going to f*ck around with them on the tickets. They don’t have the money to do it. None of those bums got the money to do it. I’ll do it,” White said
UFC’s First Fight In Saudi
And by the looks of it, the UFC is already making big moves. On October 11th, 2023, the UFC confirmed that it would be hosting its first ever event in Saudi Arabia next year.
The event will take place on March 2nd, 2024, at the Kingdom Arena, Riyadh. The move coincides with boxing’s recent success in the region, which will no doubt open up doors for more fighters moving forward.
Although no official fights have been confirmed, it does demonstrate the expansion of the UFC’s brand into other areas. And following the PFL’s recent $100 million investment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund through its entity, SRJ Sports Investments, things are looking bright for the MMA field in the region.
With the UFC in such a healthy place, there are concerns that boxing will not be able to keep up with the growth. And until that is addressed, then the gap between the UFC and boxing will only grow. Find all the latest boxing news and MMA breaking updates on boxingblitz.
