Dana White, Saudi Royals Launch New Boxing League, First Fights Expected in 2026

Dana White, president of the UFC, has announced the formation of a new boxing league in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh, aiming to revolutionize the sport's structure and promotion. The initiative, backed by an initial investment of $10 million, will focus on a tournament-style format that allows young fighters to compete against established champions, diverging from the current trend of prioritizing undefeated records. White emphasized his intent to enhance boxing by utilizing the UFC's operational expertise and providing boxers access to the UFC Performance Institute for training and development. Despite interest from UFC fighters in crossover events, White confirmed there will be strict boundaries, ensuring that UFC and boxing remain separate entities. The league is expected to debut in September, with speculation about high-profile matchups potentially featuring stars like Canelo Alvarez and Oleksandr Usyk. This venture marks a significant investment by Saudi Arabia in global sports, continuing its trend of financial involvement in various athletic domains.