“Yes, I would have signed with Dana White and Turki Alalshikh because I knew I was the best out there, and I wanted to progress, and I wanted to fight the best out there,” he told PokerFirma.
“My career is very similar to what the league wants to do with their fighters. I built myself up and then fought the best, back-to-back. I took the hard route, and that’s what they want.
“And we’ll see now who has the balls to say ‘yes,’ because overnight you will know who the real fighters are.”
Khan said that Alalshikh has made a shrewd move by teaming with White, who has overseen the UFC’s explosion in popularity ever since the Fertitta brothers purchased the brand for $2 million back in 2001.
They appointed longtime friend White as the UFC’s president, and he ushered in a new era for the brand as the UFC overcame regulatory and social obstacles to eventually become one of the most successful sporting organisations in the world today.
Now Alalshikh wants to see White repeat the feat with the sport of boxing, using a similar ethos to the one that took the UFC to worldwide success.
“I understand why Turki brought in Dana White – because he saw what the UFC has done, how big it’s become over the last few years,” said Khan.
“The best are fighting the best, and they’re putting on the best shows.
“Now he wants the same model for boxing: the best fighting the best. I think with Turki, he’s going to make that happen. Getting Dana on board with him and involved in the promotion, I think they’re going to change boxing in a big way.
“Turki has given the promoters the biggest paychecks they’ve ever had. I remember hearing one paycheck to Usyk was around $115 million – for one fight. That’s ridiculous. Most fighters don’t make that in their entire careers. That’s crazy.
“But it shows Turki is serious – he’s not just talking, he’s backing it up with action. Now it’s time for him to really shake things up and make boxing a proper business. I think he’s going to take over.”
