As Dana White prepares to launch his most ambitious project yet—a brand-new boxing league supported by TKO Holdings and Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority—opinions in the combat sports world are divided. Critics have questioned how the UFC CEO can manage boxing’s intricate environment, particularly because there are no plans to involve established sanctioning organizations. But despite all the fuss, the head honcho has gained the support of an important player in the MMA world: Team Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s coach, Javier Mendez. And coming from someone who has witnessed the UFC’s evolution from up close, his views hold significant weight.

Mendez, speaking on the Javier & Mo Show, was generous in his praise. His support was not based solely on loyalty, as Mendez highlighted the UFC’s existing infrastructure, which includes free training, nutrition, and supplements, as well as world-class physical therapy at the Performance Institute. So, referring to the UFC’s ability to dominate the boxing world, he said, “They’re going to kill it, man. They’re going to kill it,” But that’s not all. In his opinion, this is more than just a company; it’s a well-oiled system capable of bringing structure to a chaotic boxing field. “They do a lot. You can’t deny that. But also, they make a lot, so they’re able to do that.” 

However, this new venture is not without its drawbacks. The boxing world follows radically different rules, both politically and legally. The Ali Act, which requires companies to interact with sanctioning bodies and expose fighter salaries, is completely opposed to the way Dana White conducts the UFC. His claim that none of the four sanctioning bodies will be involved immediately puts the league on shaky ground. While the UFC model encourages stable matchups and clear rankings, it also raises salary issues, which have already caused friction among long-time boxing insiders after boxing salaries were leaked.

In fact, the outcry was almost immediate. Boxing veteran and Golden Boy Promotions CEO Oscar De La Hoya was blunt in his Clapback Thursday segment, criticizing both the UFC’s wage structure and White’s boxing ambitions. “You can’t run a boxing organization when you don’t have any fighters,” De La Hoya joked. “No fighter is going to fight for these pennies. You’re telling me the Canelos and Ryans of this world are going to agree to this kind of pay cut?”

Unlike MMA, where the UFC reigns dominant, boxing is divided, giving athletes a greater ability to demand multimillion-dollar contracts. De La Hoya warned that unless the wage structure dramatically changes, top talent will avoid the venture. In fact, when asked by ‘The Schmo,’ Ryan Garcia said upfront that he would not be a part of it if Dana White pay’s fighters like he does in the UFC. He said, “Yeah, I mean, if they pay like the UFC, we might not like it.”

It is worth noting that for the venture, TKO Holdings, the parent company of UFC and WWE, has collaborated with Turki Alalshikh’s General Entertainment Authority to develop a new boxing league, which is set to start next year. But it is Dana White, who will make the final decisions. What’s his plan? Drop the politics, disregard the sanctioning organizations, and let the best fight the best—just like he did in the UFC. It’s bold, especially given obstacles like the Muhammad Ali Act and boxing’s historically fractured landscape. But then again, the head honcho has never been hesitant to ruffle feathers.

If the UFC CEO can produce massive fights and real structure, the new league has the potential to completely transform the sport. Rumors of Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford headlining the debut event indicate that he isn’t aiming low. With the backing of WWE’s parent corporation and Saudi finance, as well as significant support from voices like Mendez, this enterprise has legs—if not wings. And if anyone is daring enough to rewrite boxing’s playbook, it’s likely the man who has already done so with MMA. In fact, it wasn’t just Coach Mendez who believed in Dana White; another boxing legend, too, has come up in support of the UFC head honcho.

Mike Tyson shows his support for Dana White’s ambitious project

Dana White’s brave venture into boxing has received widespread acclaim, not just in the MMA community. Before coach Javier Mendez expressed confidence in White’s capacity to revolutionize the sport, another titan had already stepped forward—Mike Tyson. And that makes sense. Tyson is more than simply a former world champion; he has seen directly how boxing can eat its own. With a legacy marked by both glory and cautionary tales, his voice has a unique authority—one that combines experience and hard-earned knowledge.

Tyson was as blunt as one can be when he spoke with Sports Illustrated. “I think he’s going to do a good job,” he said, emphasizing the darker side of boxing’s industry. “He’s not going to let the [boxers] take advantage of him. Everybody [is] feeling sad… What’s that we need now? Trust fund. They manipulate you.”

Well, the last line felt more like a gut strike than a quotation. Coming from someone who has experienced the exploitation he is warning against, it lands with a weight few others can equal. Tyson isn’t just cheering for Dana White because they’ve been friends for a long time; he believes the head honcho’s no-nonsense attitude can safeguard competitors from the kind of manipulation that characterized parts of his own career.

However, whether that mindset will carry over from the Octagon to the boxing ring remains to be seen. Dana White has never been one to follow the rules of old-school promoters, which is exactly what disturbs many in the boxing industry. While UFC fighters have long complained about compensation and control, boxing has operated like the Wild West: chaotic but lucrative. The UFC CEO intends to change the narrative, but if he tries to follow his UFC design without compromise, he may discover that the sweet science fights back. For the time being, however, with voices like Tyson supporting him, the momentum is real—and the world will be watching. What do you think? Will Dana White be able to find success with his new venture? Let us know in the comments.