What happened

UFC President Dana White stated he will never allow top stars like light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira or featherweight champion Ilia Topuria to box. 'No way in hell. Crossover fights suck. I want best fighters vs best fighters,' White said. The comments underscore UFC's commitment to keeping talent within MMA.

Why it matters

This stance protects stars from boxing injuries that could sideline them from UFC events, ensuring stable schedules for fans and bettors. It prioritizes MMA superfights over lucrative but risky crossovers like McGregor-Mayweather. Bettors gain reliability in odds for upcoming title defenses without external disruptions.

What to watch

Watch for next opponents in Pereira's light heavyweight division and Topuria's featherweight title defenses at upcoming UFC events.