Turki Alalshikh, TKO – together with UFC’s Dana White – accomplice to determine new boxing promotion

(This story was up to date with no data Wednesday, March 5 at 1:59 p.m. ET)

UFC CEO Dana White is diving into boxing. This time it’s official.

White and TKO have partnered with chairman of Saudi Arabia’s Normal Leisure Authority, Turki Alalshikh, to launch a brand new boxing promotion, Ring Journal announced Wednesday. The chief management will probably be anchored by White and WWE president Nick Khan.

‼️ ANNOUNCED: Turki Alalshikh and TKO have signed a multi-year partnership to determine a brand new boxing promotion with govt management anchored by UFC President Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan. The brand new promotion will characteristic:

🥊 A extremely structured system to develop new… pic.twitter.com/tK5auLy1UO

— Ring Journal (@ringmagazine) March 5, 2025

White has lengthy criticized the boxing enterprise mannequin for not pitting one of the best fighters in opposition to one another. White mentioned the brand new promotion goals to do this, with each rising expertise and present stars.

“The mannequin is confirmed to ship the fights that the followers need to see. One of the best will battle one of the best, and the fighters will proceed to maneuver up the rankings and develop into world champions,” White mentioned in a video posted on X. “We’ll proceed to make bulletins on the place you’ll be able to watch and all the remainder of the main points of the enterprise as we get nearer to the launch. I’ll see you quickly.”

BOOOOOOM!!!!! Boxing right here we come pic.twitter.com/XBRBT5mr3P

— danawhite (@danawhite) March 5, 2025

In keeping with a press launch, the brand new promotion will characteristic “a extremely structured system to develop new expertise from world wide, together with athlete combines and academies.” All boxers can have entry to the UFC Efficiency Institutes in Las Vegas, Mexico Metropolis and Shanghai. TKO will deal with manufacturing of occasions each in broadcasting and at arenas.

Extra particulars on the multiyear partnership are anticipated to be introduced within the coming months, however Alalshikh hinted throughout an interview Wednesday with “The Pat McAfee Show” that the promotion’s first occasion may very well be held in September – presumably Sept. 12.

“When it’s time to announce, we have now an enormous battle – and that is actually precisely what I’m speaking about – an enormous battle that solely this man (Alalshikh) might make occur,” White mentioned. “Solely this man might make a battle like this occur. We’ll announce it once we’re able to. That is the man who’s actually introduced boxing again.”