Combat sports fans worldwide were excited when the highly anticipated boxing bout between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk was announced. However, delays and negotiation failures have reportedly frustrated UFC president Dana White, who has shared his piece regarding the mega clash.
White, an avid boxing fan and the president of the UFC, has criticized the boxing industry for taking so much time to make significant fights happen. He has stated that he modeled the UFC’s matchmaking structure specifically after getting frustrated with boxing’s lengthy negotiation procedure and frequent fight date delays.
The lengthy boxing match setup procedure Dana White is talking about
So why does it take so long to make significant boxing matches happen? The answer lies in the complex contract signing process that takes place behind the scenes.
Boxing is a sport that involves a wide range of stakeholders, including promoters, networks, and fighters. Each party has interests and priorities; negotiations can often be contentious and time-consuming.
For example, one of the most significant sticking points in negotiations is often the purse split, or how much money each fighter will receive for the bout. Fighters and their teams often have different ideas about a fair split, and negotiations can drag on for weeks or months.
In addition, promoters and networks often have competing interests when scheduling fights. A promoter may want to schedule a fight on a specific date to maximize revenue. At the same time, a network may prefer a different date to avoid scheduling conflicts with another program.
These factors can contribute to delays and frustrations for fans and stakeholders alike.
On the other hand, the UFC has been praised for its “best vs best” approach to matchmaking. Unlike boxing, where fighters can often avoid tough opponents to protect their record and maximize their earnings, the UFC regularly pits its top fighters against each other in high-profile bouts.
This approach has led to some of the biggest fights in UFC history, including Conor McGregor vs Khabib Nurmagomedov and Amanda Nunes vs Cris Cyborg.
While boxing will always have a place in combat sports, the UFC’s approach to matchmaking may offer a valuable lesson for the sport. The UFC has created a fan-friendly product that consistently delivers high-quality fights by prioritizing the best vs. best matchups and minimizing delays and negotiations.
