Report: UFC set to offer boxing champion Anthony Joshua multi-fight deal worth $500 million

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) president Dana White is a huge fan of current WBA, IBF and IBO heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua, and the head of the biggest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion in the world is keen on offering him a record-setting contract.

But it won’t be to fight inside the Octagon.

According to The Telegraph, UFC is hoping to convince Joshua and his team to leave his longtime promoters — Eddie Hearn and matchmaking boxing — and join forces with them under the Zuffa Boxing umbrella, presumably. And they are reportedly willing to drop a half a billion dollars to prove their interest.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is making an audacious bid to sign a promotional multi-fight deal with Anthony Joshua which could earn the Londoner $500 million (£353 million) and make him the richest British boxer of all time.

Joshua is undefeated at 20-0 and is set to face off against Joseph Parker on March 31, 2018 inside Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, a fight White intends to attend in person with the goal of securing a meet up with Joshua and Co.

UFC’s intent to get into the boxing world is no secret (proof here), as they played a huge role in promotion last years blockbuster collision between Floyd Mayweather and former UFC Lightweight and Featherweight champion, Conor McGregor.

Whether or not they can land a whale like Joshua, remains to be seen, though Anthony has gone on record saying he plans on staying with his current promoter. One thing is certain, if they do manage to come to terms, you can bet there will be more than a few current UFC champions who won’t be happy with the half a billion dollar bid.