Dana White Firmly Rejects Alex Pereira & Ilia Topuria's Boxing Aspirations: 'No Way in Hell'

UFC President Dana White has unequivocally ruled out using any UFC platform to host boxing matches for champions such as Alex Pereira and Ilia Topuria, effectively shutting down the latest discussions about crossover fights originating from his own roster.

Dana White's Stance at UFC London

During the UFC London post-fight press conference, White was questioned about the potential use of Zuffa Boxing to promote crossover bouts for Pereira or Topuria, both of whom have openly expressed interest in future boxing ventures. His response was an emphatic rejection, stating there was 'no way in hell' he would oversee such fights, and branding crossover events as 'shit' that do not align with the UFC's core identity.

White emphasized that his primary focus remains on pitting elite fighters against each other under MMA rules, rather than arranging one-off spectacles involving boxers. He further noted that 'other networks and other people' are equipped to handle crossover events, but clarified that 'it is not what I do.' This statement indicates that even with his long-anticipated Zuffa Boxing brand, he has no intention of adopting the model favored by other promoters.

Alex Pereira's Long-Term Boxing Ambitions

Pereira, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion and a former two-division kickboxing titleholder, has openly discussed his plans for months to compete in professional boxing once his MMA career concludes. In a recent interview, he affirmed that he is 'definitely going to box' and highlighted that he has already silenced critics in both kickboxing and MMA.

The Brazilian knockout artist portrayed a boxing career as a personal challenge rather than a pursuit of wealth, asserting that 'it’s not about aiming for more money' and that he 'just want[s] to go out there and fight.' Last year, he even entertained the prospect of a superfight against unified heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk, briefly igniting speculation about a future cross-code encounter before White's recent remarks dampened that narrative.

Ilia Topuria Eyes a Full Transition

Topuria, the UFC lightweight champion, has provided an even clearer indication that he envisions boxing as his subsequent chapter following MMA. In an interview with the Spanish publication Marca, he stated he has 'always wanted to try [his] hand at boxing' and confessed he doesn't anticipate remaining in MMA 'too long.'

The Georgian-Spanish star clarified that he intends to 'finish [his] story in mixed martial arts' before making a complete transition, arguing that alternating between MMA and boxing training camps would not be 'very professional.' Topuria emphasized the necessity of adapting to boxing-specific timing, training, and the ring environment. He predicted that his eventual move 'is going to surprise more than a few people,' a statement now contrasting with White's refusal to endorse any UFC-backed crossover spectacle.

White's remarks establish a distinct organizational separation between UFC championship endeavors and the boxing experiments that have recently garnered pay-per-view attention elsewhere. While Pereira and Topuria persist in discussing their long-term aspirations in the ring, those ambitions must be deferred until they fulfill or conclude their UFC contractual obligations, as their promoter has unequivocally stated he will not promote them in boxing under his own banner.