While UFC President Dana White has praised Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, he can’t do the same for Showtime’s Stephen Espinoza and Top Rank’s Bob Arum. In regards to the latter, White wouldn’t help Arum out at all.
Arum, 88, has been very critical about how the UFC has been “rushing” into holding events. However, Arum also knows his promotion needs to make money. Top Rank is currently looking to put on events and is hoping to find a location in Nevada. The UFC’s APEX Center is located in the state, an ideal spot for any event. In fact, White has proposed going back there when the Nevada Commission allows combat sports to take place there again.
White has not been a fan of Arum for a long time, stating he’d never do business with him. Following UFC Jacksonville last night (May 13), White didn’t hold back on his thoughts on Arum when it comes to helping him, stating:
“You know what a huge Bob Arum fan I am,” White said, via Bloody Elbow. “If Bob Arum wanted the plan that we put together to pull off this event, we would absolutely give it to them. If he wants to use the APEX, I’d tell him to go f—k himself. But we’ll give them the 30-page plan.”
The plan White is referring to is how the UFC has been able to hold events. Before every event, there has been extreme testing to avoid coronavirus concerns.
If Vegas was to not work for him, Arum has expressed interest in putting on events inside WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando. WWE is currently holding all of its live events there.
As of now, Top Rank is expected to be back in action on June 9. A location has not been determined yet.