UFC CEO Dana White has saved the door firmly shut on his fighters going through boxers ever since Conor McGregor’s profitable crossover.
McGregor fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2017 boxing match billed as ‘The Cash Struggle’, ‘Boxing vs. MMA: Champion of Champions’, and ‘The Greatest Struggle in Fight Sports activities Historical past’.
The bout finally delivered on these monikers in the course of the build-up and on struggle evening. The occasion, which noticed the American transfer to 50-0 by stopping McGregor in spherical 10, sits behind solely Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao because the second highest pay-per-view purchase charge in historical past.
Provided that monetary success, many anticipated related crossover bouts to be made sooner or later. However a as soon as long-reigning champion discovered that such was not the case.
Dana White refused to entertain Kamaru Usman’s want to field Canelo Alvarez
In some ways, McGregor vs. Mayweather is credited for the continuing crossover craze in fight sports activities, which has seen the likes of Anderson Silva, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, Anthony Pettis and lots of extra all compete in boxing.
However what did all of them have in frequent? No contractual obligation with the UFC.
On the subject of fighters actively beneath the UFC banner following in McGregor’s footsteps, the quantity stays zero.
Maybe essentially the most persistent in discussing his hopes to alter that was Kamaru Usman whereas he dominated because the UFC’s welterweight champion and pound-for-pound king. Usman targeted P4P boxing star Canelo Alvarez, even vowing to knock the Mexican out.
However whereas the Nigerian-American’s push for the bout garnered loads of consideration in early 2022, the UFC’s head honcho made his stance clear.
“Every thing about it’s horrible. It’s a silly struggle to make, it is senseless. I don’t understand how many individuals could be fascinated with seeing that,” White advised Sky Sports activities.
“When Conor and Floyd fought, it took on a lifetime of its personal. In all places I went, individuals requested me if these two are going to struggle. It simply saved constructing, constructing and constructing. It ended up being the most important pay-per-view ever.
“One thing may come alongside however the entire boxing vs. MMA factor is foolish,” White added.
What Canelo Alvarez stated about boxing UFC star Kamaru Usman
In rejecting any chance of the struggle coming collectively, White and the UFC seemingly served as the one pink gentle.
Following Usman’s frequent callouts, Alvarez gave considerably of a thumbs up whereas talking to Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour.
“Possibly. Why not? You by no means say no, proper?” Alvarez stated. “My coach advised me about it. And I stated, ‘Should you say [so].’”
The Mexican fighter did, nonetheless, insist that he needed to safe his legacy in boxing earlier than committing to any novelty or crossover alternatives.
“[The Usman fight is] probably not on my thoughts. I need a actually good legacy for my profession, after which we will discuss different issues.”
Since speak of that struggle, the pound-for-pound boxing star has continued discovering success within the ring. Most not too long ago, Alvarez became a two-time undisputed champion at tremendous middleweight by defeating William Scull.
Usman, in the meantime, has fallen on exhausting occasions contained in the Octagon. ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ hasn’t received a struggle since White rejected his boxing hopes, shedding to Leon Edwards twice and Khamzat Chimaev.
The 38-year-old will look to report a primary win in 4 years when he headlines the UFC Atlanta occasion in opposition to Joaquin Buckley on June 14.
