SUMMARY
- Dana White faced a puzzling question from a Mexican reporter involving Canelo Alvarez.
- The UFC CEO brushed the question aside through a hilarious reaction.
UFC CEO Dana White was happy with the promotion’s comeback to Mexico after almost five years. He announced the details of the event including the attendance and performance bonuses in a post-event press conference. He received a barrage of queries from reporters which also included a puzzling question related to boxer Canelo Alvarez.
White all but confirmed that the UFC event on Mexican Independence Day was set to take place at The Sphere in Vegas. One of the Mexican reporters was keen to know if a boxing match would take place at the event. Through a translator, the reporter asked if one of the UFC fighters would fight Alvarez in a boxing bout.
White’s first question upon hearing the reporter’s query was, “Canelo fighting one of my guys?” After receiving a confirmation White further asked the reporter who he would want Alvarez to fight. The reporter said the winner between Justin Gaethje and Max Holloway could be a good bet. For context, Gaethje will defend his BMF title against Holloway at lightweight at UFC 300.
White chuckled upon hearing this and saw the funny side of it. He asked people in the room if they were on board with the idea and only two agreed. White laughed and further responded to the question, “Probably not, sir. Probably not. It would probably be a bad idea.”
The UFC chief, however, does plan on growing the sport in Mexico. He opened up about the new Performance Institute that opened in Mexico on Thursday, just days before UFC Mexico.
Dana White claims UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City is just the beginning of a bright future
White cut the ribbon to a triumphant opening of the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico on Thursday. He took to X to reveal that this has been his dream since 2001. White was extremely excited about the impact this PI would have all over the continent for up-and-coming fighters.
White was asked if his vision for Mexico is now complete with the PI and UFC Mexico. The UFC chief claimed that the work has just started. He said, “There’s still a lot of work to do down here. This is just the beginning.”
This has been a dream and goal of mine since 2001. To finally be here and walk the halls of the @ufc Performance Institute in Mexico City is a monumental moment in the history of our sport. The impact this facility will have on Mexico, as well as, both Central and South America… pic.twitter.com/DZyhLikXkA
— danawhite (@danawhite) February 23, 2024
When asked about what the future holds for Mexico and the UFC, White was happy to say that he going to go all over Mexico not just the capital city. He said, “This [UFC Mexico] was obviously incredibly successful. Now at the opening of the PI, we have huge plans for Mexico. And it’s not just Mexico City, I want to go all over Mexico.”
The PI in Mexico reportedly has 35 fighters. So, one of the reporters asked about how the UFC will move forward with it. White claimed that the number will be brought down and they are hoping to find fighters who would break into the top 10 rankings or become world champions. Moreover, he was happy to talk about the impact it would have on the community.
“The work that it’s going to do in the community to bring kids off the streets and have the opportunity to learn how to train. Learn how to do Jiu-Jitsu, wrestle, box, Muay Thai, nutrition, strength and conditioning. [It’s] going to do a lot of good things for a lot of young people.”
The 54-year-old also revealed that UFC might come back to Mexico this year or next year. He claimed that UFC is not held back by bureaucracy and he can make a decision to come back to Mexico soon.