Dana White Slammed by Jake Paul for Boxing U-Turn
Jake Paul has taken aim at Dana White, slamming the UFC president for seemingly doing an about-face on his stance against working with boxing sanctioning bodies. In a scathing tweet, Paul accused White of "shitting on" the major boxing organizations before now appearing to soften his stance.
White's comments came in response to questions about Zuffa Boxing's fighters competing for major title belts. The UFC-backed promotion, which is funded by Saudi Arabia's Sela and Turki Alalshikh, has already made some high-profile signings, including Jai Opetaia, Conor Benn, and Shakur Stevenson.
White stated that Zuffa would try to make fights happen on a "case-by-case basis," taking into account what the fighters want and their goals. However, this shift in stance has not gone unnoticed, with Paul calling for more transparency and collaboration between promoters and sanctioning bodies.
In March 2025, White was adamant that Zuffa Boxing would not work with the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO. "I am not interested in working with sanctioning bodies," he said. "I have no interest in it whatsoever." Sixteen months later, it appears that White's stance has changed.
The TKO-backed Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act, which passed through the House of Representatives in March, could have a significant impact on White's plans. The bill would allow for unified boxing organizations, allowing Zuffa Boxing to operate like the UFC in mixed martial arts, with its own title belts and the ability to sign fighters to exclusive contracts.
Zuffa Boxing's decision to co-promote the WBC welterweight title fight between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn on September 19 in Las Vegas has also raised eyebrows. The promotion's sudden willingness to work with the WBC appears to contradict White's earlier stance.
White's comments have sparked a heated debate in the boxing world, with some questioning the motivations behind Zuffa Boxing's sudden change of heart. The outcome of the Muhammad Ali Boxing Revival Act will likely have a significant impact on the future of Zuffa Boxing and its relationship with the major boxing organizations.
The bill is currently awaiting a scheduled vote in the U.S. Senate before it could go to President Trump's desk for signing by early 2027. The outcome of this vote will determine the future of Zuffa Boxing and its relationship with the major boxing organizations.
Source: Yahoo Sports
