'It was not a bullsh*t offer' - WBC heavyweight champion Tyrone Spong reflects on a failed negotiation with UFC boss Dana White

Time of India

01-05-2025

Tyrone Spong. Photo byWBC heavyweight champion
Tyrone Spong
, with his legendary career, reflects on a promotion deal that never panned out. During the prime time of his career in 2010,
UFC
boss
Dana White
approached the fighter to join the promotion owing to the extraordinary display of skills in his previous bouts. Spong, despite his fascination with White and the promotion of UFC, had to go against his will and decline the
offer
, which did nothing but erase the name of one of the most cash-rich promotions within the combat sports from his MMA records.
Ahead of his bout at Karate Combat 54, Tyrone Spong talks about the lucrative offer made to the fighter by UFC
Tyrone Spong throughout his career competed in kickboxing, boxing and MMA. The WBO and WBC Latino heavyweight champion was part of MMA promotions in the likes of World Series of Fighting, Eagle Fighting Championship and Karate Combat. The fighter is now associated with the Karate Combat promotion, which he believes is best suited to his combat style. Spong is scheduled to face Sam Alvey at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai on May 2, 2025.
Ahead of his bout, the fighter, in one of his recent interviews, reflects on the one time that would have paved his way into the UFC and achieved accolades under the promotion.
'At that time, I had a good contact and meetings with the UFC, with Dana White. I love what Dana's doing. I think by far he's the best promoter in combat sports.' Spong showed his respect for the UFC boss Dana White, 'But at that time, I was the man in town. I had so many options, which is a blessing and a curse at the same time because it makes you indecisive. I was fighting MMA, boxing, kickboxing, all together. I think if you want to go into the UFC, you have to solely focus on that. One, because the level of competition.'
The fighter further stated, 'And two, I didn't want that at that time because I had these other great options, goals and achievements. And when you sign there, you're stuck on that contract. I was fighting MMA, boxing, kickboxing, all together. I think if you want to go into the UFC, you have to solely focus on that. One, because the level of competition. And two, I didn't want that at that time because I had these other great options, goals and achievements. And when you sign there, you're stuck on that contract.'
Tyrone Spong reflects on past conversations with Dana White, UFC offer - MMA Fighting
Despite the fact the fighter had to move on with other aspects in his career, he is still hopeful of a better offer from the UFC, if they ever come up with one.
'I am pretty sure I would get a better offer from the UFC. I believe so because I know what I was offered to me years ago. It was not a bullsh*t offer'
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Spong, at the time when he was approached by White, had so many options to explore himself as an athlete. This formed as one of the major reasons for the fighter to turn down the offer from White. If Spong will ever be seen in the Octagon is still a mystery owing to the fighter's will to explore himself within the UFC.