Dustin Poirier: Zuffa Boxing not an option for UFC fighters

April 22, 2026 - 12:09

In recent years, several former or retired UFC fighters have extended their combat sports careers by transitioning to boxing. Former champions Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and Francis Ngannou have made the move, alongside other notable names like Ben Askren, Nate Diaz, Jorge Masvidal, Mike Perry, and Darren Till. This trend has sparked questions about whether active UFC athletes could similarly explore high-profile boxing matches under other promotional banners.

However, according to top-ranked UFC lightweight Dustin Poirier, a specific door appears to be firmly closed. Poirier has clarified that the newly announced Zuffa Boxing venture is not a potential avenue for fighters currently under UFC contract. Zuffa Boxing, led by longtime boxing figure Fernando Beltran, is a separate entity from the UFC despite shared ownership under the Endeavor umbrella.

Poirier indicated that the new boxing promotion is intended for external, dedicated boxers and is not a crossover outlet for UFC talent. This stance reinforces the UFC's historical position of tightly controlling the combat sports activities of its signed athletes. For fighters dreaming of a boxing match while still competing in the octagon, the message is clear: their primary focus must remain on their UFC commitments, as alternative paths under the same corporate roof are not being offered. This policy maintains a distinct separation between the organization's mixed martial arts and boxing operations.