UFC President Dana White is unsurprised by Turki Alalshikh being able to sign away Canelo Alvarez and cancel his nearly-finalized bout with Jake Paul.
Recently, it was announced that the Mexican star inked a four-fight deal with Riyadh Season. In turn, his widely reported bout with Jake Paul was effectively canceled. The fight was scheduled to go down live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on May 3, streaming live on Netflix. Paul was expectedly unhappy with the cancellation, ripping the middleweight champion for backing out of the deal.
White spoke to the media at the UFC 312 post-fight press conference, where he lauded Alalshikh, the chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority, for the power he has attained in the boxing world. The UFC frontman said Alalshikh can essentially steal away whoever he wants from anyone in the boxing world.
“They control the sport of boxing right now,” White said. “I don’t think it’s hard for them to steal anybody from anybody. I don’t know the ins and outs of that deal, but I’m sure it’s not too hard to steal somebody away from (Most Valuable Promotions) to Saudi. Totally different levels there – not even the same universe of levels.”
Alvarez’s first bout on his four-fight deal will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 3 (May 4 locally). The WBO, WBA, and WBC super middleweight champion will take on undefeated IBF champion William Scull. Soon to follow will be a superfight between Alvarez and super welterweight champion Terence Crawford in September from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada if all goes according to plan.
White is no stranger to working with Alalshikh, as the pair have worked together twice already to bring the UFC to Riyadh. First featuring Robert Whittaker vs. Ikram Aliskerov last June, followed by Israel Adesanya vs. Nassourdine Imavov at UFC Fight Night 250 less than two weeks ago.
