TLDR
- Dana White believes Terence Crawford retired from boxing prematurely and is working to sign him to Zuffa Boxing
- Crawford fought Canelo Alvarez in Zuffa Boxing’s first event in September 2025 before retiring
- White praised Crawford’s skills and marketability as reasons for the recruitment effort
- Zuffa Boxing was founded by White and Turki Alalshikh in June 2025 to reshape professional boxing
- White is also in talks with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and has signed IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia
Sources: MMA Junkie | Sherdog | ESPN MMA
UFC president Dana White believes Terence Crawford made a mistake by retiring from boxing and is actively trying to bring him to Zuffa Boxing. White has publicly stated that Crawford walked away from the sport at the peak of his career.
The UFC boss praised Crawford’s skills and marketability as reasons why the fighter should return to the ring. White’s team is working to convince Crawford to unretire and sign with the new boxing promotion.
Zuffa Boxing was founded by White and Turki Alalshikh in June 2025 in an effort to reshape professional boxing. The company’s first event featured a mega-fight between Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez in September 2025.
Behind-closed-doors footage of Terence “Bud” Crawford right after Canelo victory.
Dana White praises Bud as the Peoples Champ!
Let’s go Dana and get Bud a $100 M plus deal to launch him out of retirement! #Boxing #RiyadhSeason Canelo Alvarez vs Bud pic.twitter.com/tUmudaQvRl
— Pursuit of Greatness (@PofGreatness) January 16, 2026
Crawford’s Recent Career Moves
Crawford competed in Zuffa Boxing’s inaugural event against Canelo Alvarez before announcing his retirement. The timing of his retirement caught many in the boxing world by surprise, including White.
White expressed optimism about negotiating a deal with Crawford despite the fighter’s current retired status. The UFC president has experience convincing fighters to return to competition and believes he can do the same with Crawford.
Negotiations could potentially bypass existing promoters if Crawford decides to unretire. White emphasized that Crawford’s ability to dominate divisions makes him a prime target for the growing boxing venture.
Zuffa Boxing’s Expansion Plans
Zuffa Boxing has been actively signing top talent since its launch last year. The promotion recently acquired IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who remains unbeaten in 29 professional bouts.
White is also in discussions with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, according to Usyk’s team director Sergey Lapin. The Ukrainian fighter became a free agent after parting ways with promoter Alex Krassyuk from K2 Promotions last summer.
Lapin confirmed in an interview with Talksport Bet that contact and dialogue exist between Usyk’s team and Zuffa Boxing. He stated that interest from White and Zuffa Boxing is real but details remain private.
“There is contact, there is dialogue, and interest exists,” Lapin said. “Let’s say a few doors are open and if format, numbers, and timing align, the market could see a move nobody expects.”
Lapin praised White’s promotional abilities and track record in combat sports. He compared White’s transformation of mixed martial arts into the global UFC brand to what could happen in boxing.
“He turned ‘old MMA’ into the global UFC machine,” Lapin explained. “His real power is packaging not just a fight, but an event.”
Usyk, a three-time undisputed champion at 39 years old, recently posted videos on social media from Thailand. His former opponent Tyson Fury is currently training in the same country.
Fury has been vocal about his latest return to boxing as he seeks to become a three-time heavyweight world champion. The boxing landscape continues to shift as Zuffa Boxing pursues major signings.
White’s efforts to recruit both Crawford and Usyk demonstrate Zuffa Boxing’s aggressive approach to building its roster. The promotion aims to secure the biggest names in the sport for future events.
