Dana White has made a significant move into the world of boxing.
The UFC CEO and Saudi Arabian combat sports promoter Turki Alalshikh have announced a partnership to launch a new boxing league under the TKO Group umbrella. WWE President Nick Khan is also involved in the leadership.
“We’ve just finalized a deal to start a new boxing league with Turki, who is a huge boxing enthusiast,” White stated in a social media video.
Alalshikh expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I am very happy today. I am handing over the responsibility of boxing to the best person for the job. We have a challenging task ahead, but I am confident he will deliver an exceptional league and restore boxing to its former glory for the fans.”
White explained the model’s success, saying, “This model is proven to deliver the fights fans want to see. The best will compete against the best, and fighters will progress in rankings and become world champions. We will announce viewing options and further business details as we approach the launch.”
Saudi entertainment company Sela is also a partner in this venture, according to a press release. Sela was previously involved in events like Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois and Terence Crawford vs. Israil Madrimov.
This announcement was expected, as TKO President Mark Shapiro had previously mentioned negotiations with Saudi Arabia to fund a new boxing promotion. Shapiro also hinted at potential major events in 2025 and 2026 as part of the agreement.
Shapiro commented on the opportunity, “This is a strategic opportunity to reshape boxing globally. TKO brings expertise, promotional skills, and established relationships. Turki Alalshikh and Sela share our vision for improving the current model. Together, we can elevate boxing back to its prominent position in global sports.”
The Ring magazine, owned by Alalshikh, also shared the announcement with more details about the agreement.
The new league will focus on:
A structured system for developing global talent, including combines and academies.
Access to the UFC Performance Institute for all boxers, offering top-tier training, research, and rehabilitation.
TKO’s production and media expertise to enhance both live events and broadcasts for fans worldwide.
White has previously criticized boxing events for lacking depth and undercards, a point where he believes UFC excels.
Alalshikh previously experimented with an MMA-style boxing event on Feb. 22 in Riyadh, featuring multiple title fights, including Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev.
The new league’s name, fighter signings, dates, and locations are still to be announced in the coming months.
