“I will never retire. Ever.” Strong words, right? That’s exactly what Dana White told Tucker Carlson just last month. In a world where fighters, executives, and even promotions get shuffled like a deck of cards, White’s stance seemed ironclad. But now, as volatile as the fight game is, it seems like even the UFC boss himself is showing a sliver of doubt. Or is he just setting us up for another curveball?
At the UFC 313 post-fight press conference, when asked if he was considering handing off some responsibilities, the UFC head honcho’s response took an interesting turn. “We’re gonna find out this year. This year is gonna be the, we are gonna find out this year, we’ll see how long I can run this hard. I’m on Gary Brecka.” Wait, so after years of ‘I’m never leaving,’ we’re suddenly at “we’ll see”? What changed? Keto-fueled enlightenment? Maybe those Gary Brecka health hacks made him realize even powerhouses need an oil change now and then.
Of course, speculation has been brewing for a while. Hunter Campbell’s increasing role in the UFC had some people convinced that White was setting up his exit strategy. But if you think the UFC boss is willingly walking away, think again. The man has more ventures to worry about than ever. Power Slap, UFC, a seat on the Meta board, and now a boxing league. Additionally, there’s an ongoing quest for eternal youth through keto and biohacking. The guy is cutting carbs, not responsibilities.
And then there’s Joe Rogan. The UFC’s long-time color commentator has made his tenure clear. “If Dana leaves, I’m gone.” The two have been joined at the hip for decades, and given how often people mix them up outside the MMA bubble, maybe it makes sense. If White retires, does Rogan even exist? A real-life ‘lookalike’ paradox.
For now, though, it seems the UFC boss is still in the driver’s seat. But what if this isn’t just about retirement? What if White’s sudden shift has less to do with stepping away and more to do with taking over?
Is Dana White taking a specific feud too seriously?
Dana White may be addicted to combat sports, but is he also obsessed with one particular rivalry? For years, White has made it clear. He hates boxing promoter Bob Arum. And yet, he can’t seem to stop talking about him. For years, this mastermind has made no secret of his disdain for the 93-year-old boxing promoter. And in classic Dana fashion, he’s never held back.
Speaking on the Jim Rome podcast years ago, White had voiced his feelings. “F***k him. F***k that guy,” he said. “This guy is such a jerk off. Literally the biggest piece of sh*t in all of the sports, Bob Arum, ladies and gentlemen.” The UFC boss hasn’t just been throwing insults, he’s been playing the long game. His new boxing league, which recently gained momentum with Turki Alalshikh, isn’t exactly a new idea. White’s been circling the boxing world since 2017, hinting at a takeover. The UFC CEO has long believed he could outdo traditional boxing promoters, saying, “I just know how good we are at what we do. I know we’re better than pretty much everybody else out there.”
He’s not just talking. White’s plan for boxing? A streamlined system. No more five different sanctioning bodies, no more alphabet soup of belts. Just one champion per division. But will it work? Because the boxing world isn’t exactly built on this ideology. Unlike MMA, where White’s UFC controls the majority of top talent, boxing is a fractured battlefield ruled by rival promotions like Top Rank, Matchroom, and Premier Boxing Champions. None of them are eager to hand White the keys to their empire.
This begs the question, are we about to see a UFC-style monopoly take over boxing? Is White really trying to “fix” the sport, or is this just the latest step in his long game to dominate another combat arena? And more importantly, is that what boxing even needs? So, what’s really happening here? Could this whole thing just be an elaborate power move to erase Bob Arum’s legacy? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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