UFC CEO Dana White has been in the news lately for his newfound love for boxing. The 55-year-old has never been a fan of the sport, but things have changed for the better. He recently shared a social media post where he was seen promoting the fight between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois. However, the big question is why he has taken a keen interest lately.

‘Big’ John McCarthy, who has worked closely with the UFC CEO, knows precisely what the intention behind this is. It seems he has a point to prove to one of the promoters, especially Bob Arum.

Dana White’s interest in boxing has a personal purpose, feels former UFC referee

Dana White and Bob Arum do not get along pretty well and it was pretty evident during a press conference in 2023. The whole battle started during a press conference for the contender series in 2020. A reporter asked the UFC CEO about Arum’s comment, “I could build a house in Beverly Hills on the money I lost on him [Terence Crawford] in the last three fights.” White lost his temper after listening to the question and went off on Arum not being a good promoter. So, is Dana White entering the boxing field just to settle the score?

Former UFC referee Big John McCarthy feels this might be the case. He recently took to his ‘Weighing In’ podcast and said, “Dana is not stupid you know. Let’s be honest Dana is a very savvy businessman. And he understands the fight game.” While he does understand the fight game and has earned massive success with the UFC.

However, it is not the reason that he wants to get into boxing. With Turki Alalshikh backing the UFC head honcho, White means business. McCarthy further added, “There’s a guy named Bob Arum out there. Dana would love to just crush Bob Arum. And in the position that he’s in… with the money that Turki and a lot of people in Saudi Arabia can put forward…” 

Not only does he have the backing of Turki Alalshikh, but boxing trainer Teddy Atlas is also excited about White showing his interest in boxing. In a recent interview with ‘Submission Radio,’ the 68-year-old made it clear that he wants him to come to boxing.

Dana White has the backing of legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas

UFC CEO Dana White has single-handedly helped UFC reach the heights of success. His next target is to rule the world of boxing. His obsession with boxing is not something new, and he has helped the sport in the past with initiatives like Zuffa Boxing. He has even gone on to sponsor boxers like Callum Walsh, who is regarded by many as a future star of the sport. But White is now determined to make the sport even more interesting and has the backing of Teddy Atlas. The 68-year-old, in a recent interview, said, “I say come on in, come on in. We need you.”  

There is no doubt that Dana White understands what the fans want to see and can set up fights. Atlas made some serious claims during the interview as to how the oldest sport form was losing relevance. The need of the hour, according to the 68-year-old, is set to line up exciting fights, and White is the man for it. While many have questioned the UFC head honcho’s working style, Atlas doesn’t quite agree with it and added, “He’s the dictator. He’s that. Listen, if a dictator ain’t chopping heads off and getting things done sometimes, maybe we could learn a little something.”

With Turki Alalshikh backing the UFC CEO, fans can witness something special in the field of boxing. Are you excited about the idea of Dana White trying his hands at something new in the world of combat sports? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.