Dana White Moves to Impose UFC Playbook on TKO Boxing as Fighter Pay Concerns Mount

UFC President Dana White is on a mission to build the new boxing league from the ground up. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and operating under the TKO Group banner, White has now unveiled the key elements of his proven UFC blueprint that he plans to apply to this ambitious new venture in the world of boxing. 

This development comes just weeks after the fighter salaries for the new boxing league surfaced online. UFC President Dana White first announced the launch of the league in March, standing alongside His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. Ever since, speculation has swirled around how White would carve out a space for himself in the already crowded boxing promotion scene.

Despite the skepticism, White has remained confident in the league’s potential. His strategy, it seems, has been to replicate the blueprint that helped transform the UFC into a global powerhouse. Still, many wondered how, if at all, this so-called “UFC formula” would translate to boxing, where the top boxers are used to making an unbelievable amount of money. 

March 4, 2023, Las Vegas, NV, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, United States: LAS VEGAS, NV – March 4: Dana White meets with the press following the fights at T-Mobile Arena for UFC 285 -Jones vs Gane : Event on March 4, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, United States. Las Vegas, NV United States – ZUMAp175 20230304_zsa_p175_282 Copyright: xLouisxGrassex

That mystery began to unravel during a recent appearance on WWE’s YouTube channel, where White sat down with Stephanie McMahon and started spilling the beans. “You know my show, The Contender Series,” White said when asked about his thoughts on the new boxing league. “We bring the young talent and build it up. That’s the plan for the boxing thing for me.” 

He also added, “And I am really excited about it.” White’s Contender Series was launched back on July 11, 2017. The show helped the UFC mastermind scout and sign new talent for the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The event is held weekly at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada, featuring up-and-coming fighters who don’t have a contract with the promotion. 

While the plan seems solid at first glance, the fighter pay raises some doubts. 

How much will fighters make in the boxing league headed by Dana White? 

Fighters in White’s upcoming boxing venture could earn between $20,000 and $750,000 per fight, according to a leaked contract reported by Boxing Scene. The proposed pay structure mirrors the UFC model, with fighter compensation based on internal rankings and title status. Unranked boxers fighting 10-round bouts would earn $20,000, while those ranked between #5 and #10 would receive $50,000. Fighters ranked #3 or #4 would earn $125,000. Title challengers could make $375,000, and defending champions would receive up to $750,000.

Credits: IMAGO

While these figures fall short of the multi-million dollar paydays earned by top names like Canelo Alvarez or Tyson Fury, TKO’s structure offers higher minimum pay than many traditional undercard boxing bouts. Backed by Saudi investment, the league aims to deliver consistent events and stable fighter income. However, with pay tied to company-controlled rankings and no mention of the Ali Act protections, concerns about fighter autonomy remain. These figures are not final but reflect the model TKO plans to implement.

That said, while Dana White may have a clear vision, it’s the execution that will ultimately determine whether his boxing venture thrives or fades away in a few years. What do you think? Will he pull it off? 

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