If Alex Pereira is to turn out to be a three-sport world champion, it gained’t be with Dana White’s blessing.
For a number of months, whispers have instructed that UFC gentle heavyweight champion Pereira can be amenable to a transfer to boxing; rumours which just lately picked up steam after White confirmed that his long-promised boxing enterprise will probably turn out to be actuality in 2025. Ought to he achieve this, it could symbolize the third fight sport through which Pereira has competed (MMA, kickboxing being the others) — however in line with White, ‘Poatan’ ought to keep precisely the place he’s and focus on the what lies forward of him within the cage.
“I don’t know,” White told reporter Kevin Iole as as to whether Pereira will ever take part in a boxing match. “I’m not even fascinated about that form of stuff, I’m not fascinated about crossover fights.”
White has lengthy been in opposition to the idea of cross-promotional affairs however has been open beneath the best circumstances, such because the greenback quantity on supply for Conor McGregor’s 2017 conflict with Floyd Mayweather. He additionally famously entered Chuck Liddell in a PRIDE match a few years in the past which noticed his prized asset defeated by Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in Japan.
“I hate crossover fights,” added White, “I respect the truth that he desires to do it. I do know there’s tons of different fights that most likely wish to do it. However, I would like everyone to remain in their very own lane.”
Pereira will, after all, have his palms full at this weekend’s UFC 307 occasion in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah the place he’ll search to defend his 205-pound crown in opposition to Khalil Rountree.
