The UFC has played a significant role in the combat sports community for the past two decades. The promotion’s CEO, Dana White, has achieved tremendous success in their business. Moreover, they have also raised the profile of MMA in the community. However, White has faced criticism for having a monopoly in MMA. Regarding that, renowned boxing coach Teddy Atlas defends the UFC CEO.
Dana White has always been a fierce decision-taker. Over the years, he has taken several critical decisions to shape the future of UFC. Due to this, he has always been under intense scrutiny as well. Boxing coach Teddy Atlas recently came in for an interview with Submission Radio where he seemingly praised UFC’s business model. In doing so, he defends White’s dictatorship rule in MMA.
The last year he (Dana White) made fights that the fans wants, the sport needs. Dana White does that. He’s been doing that forever over the UFC… Listen, if a dictator ain’t chopping heads off and he’s getting things done. Sometimes maybe, maybe we can learn a little something you know…
Teddy Atlas via Submission Radio
This comes after the UFC CEO’s recent announcement on entering the boxing community as a promoter. Teddy Atlas seemingly liked that idea. As such, he even pointed out the differentiating factors between UFC and boxing. According to Atlas, the current boxing promoters are ruining the sport, by putting out non-competitive fights.
Whereas, on the other hand, Dana White’s UFC mostly gives out the fight that fans want. Thus, it results in elevating the popularity of the UFC. Atlas also wants the boxing community to run in that fashion. Dana White is currently roaring with a successful UFC event, with several events crossing the $10 million mark in live gate revenue.
The recently concluded Noche UFC (UFC 306) tops that list with a record-breaking gate of more than $21 million. With the Saudi GEA backing White, he aims to further elevate the standard of UFC events. The partnership of Dana White and Turki Alalshikh has been praised by almost everyone in the community. As such, a former UFC champion discussed the relationship between White and Alalshikh.
UFC Hall of Famer wants Dana White and Turki Alalshikh partnership in boxing
UFC went to Saudi Arabia for the first time in June 2024 with Robert Whittaker headlining the card. Since then, there has been a visible camaraderie between the Saudi Delegate and the UFC boss. Turki Alalshikh is currently an influential person in the boxing community. As such, he aims to take the sport to the topmost level.
Michael Bisping talks about the relationship between Dana White and Turki Alalshikh (Image via Imago/Instagram)Following White’s recent announcement, Michael Bisping feels that Alalshikh might have influenced the UFC CEO to enter the boxing community. The UFC boss teased a boxing venture in 2019. It will soon become a reality as White has made the decision.
Similar to Teddy Atlas, Bisping also believes that this move might further elevate competitiveness in boxing. Moreover, the former UFC champ cites the recent Noche UFC event as a prime example of Alalshikh and White’s collaboration.
Here is what I think is happening, I’m probably way off but hear me out here, Turki Alalshikh has spoke to Dana and said, “Look listen we want to do the biggest fights ever okay, we want your production. We want the look and the feel and the excitement and the following and the viewing figures of what the UFC does. So, lets go into partnership together…”
Michael Bisping on his official YouTube channel
It seems like everyone in the community is excited after hearing about the UFC CEO’s boxing aspirations. However, White hasn’t disclosed any information about his next steps. It will be interesting to see if he pursues a collaboration or starts his own promotion.
