Dana White Wants Shakur Stevenson, Devin Haney When Contracts Expire
Dana White says Zuffa Boxing wants to sign every elite boxer whose promotional contract expires, including Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney. The UFC CEO stressed that the company will wait until fighters are legally available before attempting to bring them to the promotion.
“I think anything is possible,” White said when asked about Shakur.
White was then asked about Haney before explaining that Zuffa’s goal extends well beyond any single fighter.
“I want them all. When their contracts are up, and they’re legal to talk to us, we want to talk to them all,” said Dana.
The comments reinforce the long-term strategy White has outlined since entering boxing with Turki Alalshikh. Rather than attempting to lure fighters away from existing promotional agreements, White said Zuffa will wait until contracts expire before making offers.
He also dismissed suggestions that the company is trying to interfere with rival promoters.
“We’re not trying to steal anybody’s fighters. We only want to talk to people that are available and can legally talk to us,” said Dana.
White’s remarks came after he shrugged off questions about a reported cease-and-desist letter involving Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn, insisting Zuffa has no interest in negotiating with fighters who remain under contract.
Shakur became the WBO light welterweight champion by defeating Teofimo Lopez in January, while Haney currently holds the WBO welterweight title and has been ordered to make a mandatory defense against Keyshawn Davis. Both are among the biggest names that could eventually become available if promotional agreements change.
White says Zuffa’s approach is simple: wait until fighters are free agents, then try to sign the biggest names in the sport.
