Dana White is finally getting into the boxing game.
For years, White has promised he will enter the world of boxing and fix it, bringing his UFC-style promotion to the sweet science. That talk increased in 2025 as White and his parent company, TKO, pushed for boxing regulations changes and planned their eventual entry into the sport. And now it’s coming.
Zuffa boxing will hold its first event later this month, headlined by undefeated Callum Walsh (15-0, 11 KOs) taking on veteran Carlos Ocampo (38-3, 26 KOs) in a junior middleweight fight at the UFC APEX on Jan. 23, the night before UFC 324. Dana White announced the news while speaking with Stephen A. Smith over the weekend.
“The boxing match is the night before, the 23rd,” White announced. ”When I talk about matchmaking, I’m going to have all these up-and-coming guys. We have this kid named Ocampo, who is a seasoned veteran. His only losses are in title fights. He has more knockouts than Callum [Walsh] has fights.
“Callum, undefeated, 15-0, and it’s the main event. Should be a badass boxing event.”
Just 24 years old, Walsh has a longstanding relationship with White and has had several of his bouts featured on UFC Fight Pass. The Irish boxer last fought in September, winning a decision over Fernando Vargas Jr. Ocampo, meanwhile, is on a three-fight win streak, last beating Ricardo Banuelos Cernas by third-round knockout in October.
And this is just the first salvo from White and TKO as they move into the boxing space. White told Stephen A. Smith to expect a full-court press from him as they look to take over boxing.
“I’ve been talking smack about boxing for a long time, and now it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is,” White said. “I’m going to get rid of the sanctioning organizations. The best will fight the best. We’re going to sign all the young, up-and-coming guys.
“If you break into the top 10 and you’re still undefeated, your undefeated record means something. You know what I mean? Everybody’s undefeated in boxing because nobody fights anybody, right? Everybody will fight everybody.”
