Earlier this year, Dana White sent shockwaves through the combat sports world with the announcement of his long-anticipated entry into boxing. Partnering with Saudi promoter Turki Alalshikh and operating under the UFC-WWE umbrella of TKO Holdings, White promised a bold reinvention of the sport. Although the promotion’s official name remains secret, they confirmed the league’s September 2025 launch in Las Vegas.

Anticipation skyrocketed when Canelo Álvarez signed a four-fight deal with Saudi officials, sparking widespread rumors that his first bout would be against pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford. The Mexican didn’t shy away from the buzz either, publicly expressing his interest in fighting under Dana White’s banner—adding fuel to the fire that he might headline the new promotion’s debut.

But in a surprising twist, the narrative took a different turn. On Sunday, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh took to X to announce a major development, signaling that Dana White may no longer be involved in the Canelo vs. Crawford showdown. Turki Alalshikh posted:

“We have confirmed the promoter for Canelo v Crawford will be Sela for Riyadh Season. The broadcaster we have not decided yet but the date will be Saturday 13th September. More details soon …🥊🔥”

Dana White’s partnership with Turki Alalshikh first grabbed headlines last year when the duo teamed up to take UFC 406 to “The Sphere” in Las Vegas—an event proudly showcased under the “Riyadh Season” banner. What makes the latest twist even more compelling is its timing. Just as Alalshikh was striking a deal with Dana White & Co., he was also aligning with Sela, a heavyweight in the global sports and entertainment arena.

Fast forward to today, and Sela has been confirmed as the official promoter for the high-stakes Canelo vs. Crawford showdown—seemingly sidelining White from a project he was once closely linked to. With Dana White’s plans now thrown into question, the spotlight turns to his next move. As speculation builds, fans are equally curious about any fresh updates regarding Conor McGregor’s long-anticipated return to the Octagon.

What’s Dana White’s latest update on Conor McGregor’s return?

After months of silence, UFC megastar Conor McGregor sent ripples through the MMA world earlier this week with a cryptic social media post teasing a potential return. In a surprising Instagram update, McGregor tagged UFC President Dana White and TKO Group, writing, “Dana White, TKO Group — call that big butt nurse.” The bizarre message immediately sparked speculation that the Irishman may finally be ready to rejoin the USADA testing pool and step back into the Octagon.

McGregor hasn’t fought since 2021, when he suffered a brutal leg injury during his trilogy bout against Dustin Poirier — an incident that cast serious doubt on his fighting future. While he’s stayed in the spotlight through business ventures and social media, fans have been eagerly awaiting any sign of his return to competition.

His long-teased fight against Michael Chandler, originally slated for UFC 303, also fell apart last year after McGregor unexpectedly withdrew just weeks before the event. That cancellation appeared to cool Dana White’s optimism. Speaking with journalist Adam Glyn not long after, White admitted, “He is not fighting anytime soon. I haven’t talked to him in a minute. I don’t know.”

With Conor McGregor still sidelined and no Canelo Álvarez superfight in sight, is Dana White’s influence in combat sports starting to fade? Share your thoughts below.