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UFC CEO Dana White has officially made his long-anticipated move into boxing, partnering with Saudi Arabian combat sports promoter Turki Alalshikh to launch a brand-new boxing league under the TKO umbrella. The announcement, made on Tuesday, also revealed that WWE President Nick Khan will serve on the executive board.
“We have just done a deal to start a new boxing league with Turki, who loves the sport of boxing,” White stated in a video on social media.
Alalshikh, a key figure in Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in combat sports, expressed his confidence in White’s leadership, saying,
“I am very happy today. I give the flag of boxing to the best man who can handle it. We have a tough job now, but I am sure he will be delivering to the people and the fans the magnificent league and get boxing great again.”
The new promotion aims to reshape professional boxing by ensuring that the best fighters consistently face each other, a structure White believes has been lacking in the sport.
“The model is proven to deliver the fights that the fans want to see,” he emphasized. “The best will fight the best and the fighters will continue to move up the rankings and become world champions.”
Saudi entertainment conglomerate Sela, which played a major role in the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois fight in London and Terence Crawford’s recent title defense in Los Angeles, is also backing the project. According to TKO President Mark Shapiro, this initiative is a “strategic opportunity to reimagine the sport of boxing globally,” with plans for major fight cards in 2025 and 2026.
The new league will implement a structured system for talent development, including global athlete combines and academies, along with access to the UFC Performance Institute for cutting-edge training and recovery. With TKO’s media expertise, the promotion is expected to deliver world-class events that prioritize both in-arena entertainment and high-quality broadcasts.
While further details—including the league’s official name, fighter signings, and upcoming events—remain undisclosed, White and Alalshikh have promised more announcements in the coming months.