If Alex Pereira is to become a three-sport world champion, it won’t be with Dana White’s blessing.
For several months, whispers have suggested that UFC light heavyweight champion Pereira would be amenable to a move to boxing; rumours which recently picked up steam after White confirmed that his long-promised boxing venture will likely become reality in 2025. Should he do so, it would represent the third combat sport in which Pereira has competed (MMA, kickboxing being the others) — but according to White, ‘Poatan’ should stay exactly where he is and concentrate on the what lies ahead of him in the cage.
“I don’t know,” White told reporter Kevin Iole as to whether Pereira will ever participate in a boxing match. “I’m not even thinking about that kind of stuff, I’m not thinking about crossover fights.”
White has long been against the concept of cross-promotional affairs but has been open under the right circumstances, such as the dollar number on offer for Conor McGregor’s 2017 clash with Floyd Mayweather. He also famously entered Chuck Liddell in a PRIDE tournament many years ago which saw his prized asset defeated by Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson in Japan.
“I hate crossover fights,” added White, “I respect the fact that he wants to do it. I know there’s tons of other fights that probably want to do it. But, I want everybody to stay in their own lane.”
Pereira will, of course, have his hands full at this weekend’s UFC 307 event in Salt Lake City, Utah where he will seek to defend his 205-pound crown against Khalil Rountree.
