After dominating the MMA world for decades, Dana White announced last week that he is officially venturing into boxing. He isn’t doing it alone, having recently signed a deal with Saudi combat sports promoter Turki Alalshikh. Together, they’ve inked a multi-year agreement under the TKO banner to reshape the boxing landscape. The announcement was first made by His Excellency Turki Alalshikh on social media, declaring, “Today marks the new chapter in boxing history.” As part of the deal, WWE President Nick Khan will take on an executive role in the new boxing league.

Dana White’s move has already garnered praise from boxing’s elite, including WBC, WBA, WBO, and Ring Magazine super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez. Despite a previous rocky relationship between White and Canelo, they’ve now put their differences aside. Recently, the Mexican made headlines by signing a four-fight contract with Alalshikh, redirecting his career after turning down a fight against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.

Speaking to CBS Sports last week, Canelo Alvarez praised the UFC CEO’s new boxing endeavor, stating, “I think they are going to do the best for the fighters, and I’m pretty sure about that. I’m glad somebody is taking care of the fighters because there are a lot of promoters who don’t take fighters seriously. I think this is good for boxing, especially for the fighters.”

Meanwhile, today, at the post-fight press conference following UFC 313, Dana White indicated that he’s ready to put past grudges with boxing stars behind him when a reporter brought up the boxing star’s comments. Dana White responded warmly, saying, “You know, to hear that some of the biggest stars are excited that we are getting into the sport is obviously a good thing, not a bad thing. But like I said, and I’ll say it again, we’ve got a lot of work to do over the next couple of weeks.” Additionally, he revealed a scheduled important meeting for Wednesday, signaling that much work remains as this new venture continues to take shape.

With Turki Alalshikh playing a central role in the partnership, speculation is growing that Dana White’s upcoming boxing league could host Canelo Álvarez’s highly anticipated September fight, potentially setting the stage for a showdown with Terence Crawford. Notably, three of Álvarez’s four contracted fights are set to take place in Saudi Arabia, while the September bout is expected to be held in Las Vegas. This move mirrors White’s previous collaboration with Alalshikh for UFC 306, dubbed “Riyadh Noche,” which was also held in Las Vegas last year. It also follows the UFC’s long-standing tradition of hosting annual events at Madison Square Garden every November since 2016.

How does Dana White’s upcoming boxing league structure work?

Dana White has largely stayed away from boxing since the blockbuster Conor McGregor vs. Floyd Mayweather fight, a “one-and-done” spectacle that reportedly earned McGregor $100 million. However, White’s own financial stake in the event was never disclosed. Despite his well-documented disdain for boxing, he sparked speculation last year when he announced his trip to Dublin, Ireland, to attend young Irish prospect, Callum Walsh’s homecoming fight against Przemysław Runowski.

That move ignited rumors among fans, suggesting Dana White had plans to step into the boxing world. As is well known, the UFC boss doesn’t engage in ventures unless there’s significant financial upside—a testament to his sharp business instincts. With last week’s revelation that TKO Group is set to launch a new boxing league in partnership with Saudi investors to revitalize the sport, it’s becoming evident that White aims to replicate his UFC success in boxing.

So, what will the structure of Dana White’s upcoming boxing league look like? According to the CEO, the format will closely mirror the UFC’s ranking system. Outlining his vision, he explained: “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 is no question who the top five guys are in each weight class. They fight it out. And once somebody holds that belt, you don’t need three letters in front of the belt. Whoever has that belt is the best in the world in that weight class. It’s a very simple model.”

But can Dana White replicate his UFC success in the boxing world? With Canelo Alvarez expected to be part of this new venture, will White’s vision reshape boxing the same way he revolutionized MMA? Share your thoughts below!