Dana White is not a fan of UFC fighters turning to boxing.
White has criticized the boxing model for years, but recently teased a venture into Sweet Science in 2025 with a “gun snap.” This somehow led Alex Pereira, one of the UFC’s biggest current superstars, to believe that White’s boxing business started with him.
Pereira will defend his light heavyweight title against Khalil Rountree in the main event of UFC 307 on October 5th at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. If successful, the former GLORY kickboxing champion will set a promotional record with three UFC title defenses in 175 days. Pereira has a chance to become a three-sport champion once he steps into the squared circle, but White likes the scope of being able to accomplish more than that in the UFC.
White plans to take up martial arts in the near future, but he doesn’t like crossover fights. UFC chiefs want all combat artists to stay in their respective lanes.
UFC 307: Pereira vs. Rountree Jr. Saturday at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+. Order now!
“I don’t know. I mean, you look at where he is in his career right now. He’s at the top of his game…If he wins Saturday night’s game, what other records can he break here? God only knows,” White recently told Kevin Iall. Fights, I hate crossover fights. [Alex] I would love to do it, and I know there are probably a lot of other fighters who would love to do it. But I want everyone to stay in their lane. ”
With the exception of Conor McGregor’s boxing loss to Floyd Mayweather in 2017, White has never allowed a UFC fighter to compete in another sport at the same time. This led to Francis Ngannou leaving the promotion after a lengthy contract dispute.
Pereira, on the other hand, is by no means your average UFC fighter. “Poitan” had just four professional MMA bouts under his belt when he made his UFC debut in November 2021. Since then, the Brazilian has quickly climbed the ladder to superstardom, winning UFC titles in two different divisions.
