9 Years After Father Shaquille O’Neal’s Promise to Dana White, Millionaire Son Myles O’Neal Set for UFC Debut of a Different Kind

Los Angeles Lakers legend Shaquille O’Neal and UFC President Dana White go way back. Back in 2005, 4x NBA champion helped launch the first season of The Ultimate Fighter. Later in 2011, a week ahead of his retirement, Shaquille O’Neal phoned his long-time friend wanting to be involved in the UFC. While O’Neal eventually couldn’t get as involved with the UFC as he would have liked to, his 26-year-old son is already set to begin his association with the MMA promotion.

Shaq’s career might have been on a different trajectory had he followed up on his desire to be involved in the UFC. The 7’1 giant even used to hit the gym for MMA training back in the day. Following in his steps just over a decade later, Myles O’Neal is set for his UFC debut (but not the kind you’d hope for).

Shaquille O’Neal makes a major announcement about UFC 290

DJ Diesel has taken off. After his rap track garnered attention from the likes of Russ, Shaq’s music career is thriving. Following an uber-successful music tour in Texas, the next sight seems to be the UFC. O’Neal took to Instagram to announce the event.

As Las Vegas quickly becomes the hub of all things sport, fight night is upon us. With UFC Featherweight champion Alex Volkanovski set to defend his title at UFC 290 in Vegas, the excitement is palpable. However, it seems like there is an after-party that might grab some eyeballs.

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Shaq announced an after-fight party at the Encore Beach Club, which will also include his millionaire son, Myles, and Volkanovski. Shaq joins the list of big names set to perform at the club over the weekend, including The Chainsmokers, Diplo, Dillon Francis, and more.

For Myles, it is the second event in recent memory that he’s taking over for his father. For Shaq, it is a promise 9 years in the making.

Shaquille O’Neal’s passion for MMA

Once Shaq attended a UFC event in 1996, he was immediately on board. After O’Neal retired in 2011, Dana White hoped that O’Neal could become a major ambassadorial figure as the UFC attempted to break into new territories in 2011. While that couldn’t come to fruition, O’Neal has maintained a close bond with the UFC president.

In fact, in 2018, O’Neal even stepped into the Octagon with Forrest Griffin and Claudinha Gadelha, as Dana White reffed the fight. Moreover, the 51-year-old even held a UFC press conference from Shaq’s Orlando estate once. It was then that Shaq promised, “Anything Dana White needs, he gets from me.” The close contact has now allowed him and his son to get a national spotlight for their musical careers.

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