Dana White considers signing Deontay Wilder to UFC after boxing superstar talked up MMA transition
UFC CEO Dana White is open to promoting Deontay Wilder’s mixed martial arts debut.
The former heavyweight champion boxing is expected to take on Joseph Parker in Saudi Arabia on December 23 before facing Anthony Joshua at some point in 2024.
However, he recently caused a stir by claiming he is interested in testing himself in MMA – but he insisted he has no desire to walk away from his first sport entirely.
“I’m thinking about doing both, UFC and boxing. To keep the activity alive and keep it going,” Wilder told Blue Bloods TV.
"I’ll be a dangerous man in the UFC, bro. With those four-ounce gloves?
"I broke the f***ing hitting bag machine with those four-ounce gloves on. That was some real stuff.
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“I could see myself in [the UFC]. I think I want to tie it to the competitive side of me, wanting to do both.
"Get in there and just show the ability and talent of what I could do.
"I don’t think there’s nothing cooler than being a champion in both. Have the titles at the same time, too.”
White was intrigued about the possibility of a boxing superstar crossing over to a sport that has recently been abandoned by many fighters, including Francis Ngannou, seeking big paydays in the square circle.
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The boss hinted to talkSPORT and other media members at the UFC 295 post-fight press conference on Saturday night that a deal could be struck between his organisation and Wilder.
White said: “It's interesting, you know what I mean?
"You never see this s*** happening. You never see the boxers going, 'I want to come over there and fight in the UFC.'
“So, we'll see what happens."
Boxing legend James Toney was famously dominated when he crossed over to the UFC for a fight with former two-weight world champion Randy Couture in August 2010.
Wilder will be hoping to put up a much better fight whenever he makes his UFC debut - but only time will tell if White can offer him a deal worth putting his boxing career on hold for.
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