Dana White Rules Out Boxing Matches for UFC Stars Like Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria
UFC president Dana White has spoken out clearly: he doesn’t want his top fighters stepping into a boxing ring. Recently, White addressed the idea of crossover fights involving stars like Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, and his response left no room for debate.
“No way in hell. For what? The crossover fights suck, that’s not what we do,” White said. “I wanna see the best fighters in the world fight the best fighters in the world.”
Crossover fights where MMA fighters take on professional boxers have become a hot trend in combat sports. Big names like Conor McGregor and Jake Paul have turned these matches into massive spectacles, generating huge paychecks and media attention. But White is making it clear that this is not the path for the UFC’s elite athletes.
Alex Pereira, a former Glory kickboxing champion, has made waves in the UFC, establishing himself as one of the sport’s most dangerous strikers. Meanwhile, Ilia Topuria has been rising fast in the lightweight division, impressing fans with his skill, technique, and undefeated record. Both fighters have serious MMA potential, and White wants them to stay focused on the octagon rather than chasing boxing headlines.
White’s stance reflects a larger philosophy about the UFC: the promotion isn’t interested in spectacle for spectacle’s sake. The goal is to match the best fighters against each other in MMA, the sport where they belong. Fans of Pereira and Topuria can take comfort in knowing that their stars will be tested against top-tier competition, rather than being distracted by crossover hype.
At the end of the day, Dana White wants to protect both the fighters and the integrity of the sport. Crossover boxing matches might be flashy, but for the UFC’s top talent, there’s no substitute for facing the best opponents inside the octagon. Fans can look forward to more thrilling MMA matchups, knowing the promotion is keeping the focus where it belongs.
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