White Says Stevenson Returns Before Year's End

Dana White confirmed Shakur Stevenson will fight before the year is out.

White kept the timeline firm and the opponent vague. When asked whether fans should expect Stevenson back within the next three months, the answer was a single word: "Yeah. If I did, I would have announced it already,” White

Stevenson is one of the most skilled technicians in boxing, who has spent the better part of his career frustrating opponents and sparking debates about marketability in equal measure.

The investment Zuffa made in signing him demands a return that justifies it. The most obvious name is Gervonta Davis. White left little doubt that conversations have taken place: "I love Tank Davis. I'm actually a fan, and we've talked to them," White

Devin Haney is occupied with a WBO mandatory that would put him against Keyshawn Davis if the process moves forward. Ryan Garcia is committed to Conor Benn in September. Teofimo Lopez has Rolando Romero to deal with before he looks elsewhere. The names that are available are not the names that generate the kind of attention Stevenson's arrival at Zuffa was supposed to signal.

White has spent months positioning Zuffa as the home of the fights that actually matter. Stevenson is coming back before January. The rest is still being figured out.