Dana White gives intriguing six-word response when asked about Canelo Alvarez vs Conor McGregor
09/10/2024 07:00 AM
Dana White recently gave a short but intriguing answer to a question about Canelo Alvarez potentially fighting Conor McGregor.
The UFC boss famously helped McGregor make $100million for a crossover boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather, who banked $300million when they fought in 2017.
'Notorious' hasn't boxed since his 10th-round TKO debut defeat, and hasn't fought under any ruleset since breaking his leg during a trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021.
White has claimed McGregor will return to the UFC Octagon early in 2025.
However, it remains to be seen when he will fight in the ring again.
Whenever he does, Canelo Alvarez seems like the most likely opponent as he's recently traded insults with the Mexican boxing superstar on social media.
The UFC boss laughed and took a long pause after he was asked by boxing reporter Manouk Akopyan if we may see Canelo and McGregor fight.
"I'm having trouble with the audio over here," White said in an initial attempt to dodge the question
As his interviewer began repeating the question, he added with a chuckle: "I heard you!"
White side-stepped the topic but shockingly didn't rule out the matchup.
"Let’s put a pin on that," he said.
First things first, White has got to go head-to-head with Canelo himself.
On Saturday night, his UFC 306 show at Las Vegas Sphere clashes with Canelo's WBC, WBO and WBA super-middleweight title defence against Edgar Berlanga.
It's been billed as the UFC vs boxing and White vs Canelo – but the MMA mogul is keen to play down talk of a competition ahead of fight night.
"It’s not like I was looking to compete or hurt Canelo in any way, shape, or form," White said. “I respect Canelo as a fighter and a person. I have no beef with him.
"I’m not talking smack about anybody. This is going to be the biggest gate in UFC history coming in at $22-23 million. MGM is guaranteeing [the Alvarez-Berlanga] gate at $25 million.
"My gate is legit. I’m sure Canelo is going to do fine. He’s going to make money. And we're going to do our thing on the same night.
"And not all Mexican people are fans of the UFC yet. They still have a lot of boxing fans. To have it on the same night is good for everybody."
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