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Odds on Dana White Fighting Dan Le Batard Are Surprisingly Short; White Listed as Heavy Favorite

Cole Shelton

by Cole Shelton in Boxing

Updated Mar 19, 2021 · 10:20 AM PDT

Dana White Contender Series
UFC president Dana White speaks at a news conference in New York. The first of three straight fight nights at Etihad Arena on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island kicks off Saturday, Jan. 16, when Max Holloway fights Calvin Kattar in a 145-pound bout in the main event of the first combat sports card aired on ABC since 2000. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)
  • Dan Le Batard recently challenged Dana White to a charity boxing match
  • Jorge Masvidal said he would train Le Batard while Daniel Cormier wants to train White
  • Will the fight happen?

Dana White is challenged to fights quite often. Yet, when ESPN radio host Dan Le Batard challenged him to a charity boxing match, it immediately gained traction. Sportsbooks were quick to put up a line heavily favoring the UFC boss.

Dana White vs Dan Le Batard Odds

Fighter Odds
Dana White -550
Dan Le Batard +325

Odds as of June 15.

The two got in a heated debate over fighter pay with Le Batard claiming that White and the UFC were not paying their fighters enough money. At the end of the interview, the two had this exchange.

Dan Le Batard: I would like to fight you though. How do you think that would end up going, you and me? Can we do that for charity? Can we raise a bunch of money for charity?

Dana White: Absolutely. It ends very badly for you. Very badly, that I promise.

Le Batard: What I’m telling you is I’m going to get in shape. Let’s raise some money for charity. Give me a straight answer. Are you and I going to fight for an enormous amount of money?

White then agreed to the fight and said he would pledge $250,000 for the fight.

Who Would Win?

It shouldn’t be surprising to see White open as the favorite over Le Batard.

White, as mentioned, has trained boxing in the past and has spoken so highly about his experience that he said he would beat up Tito Ortiz in a boxing match when Ortiz was in the UFC. They had not been getting along for quite some time and White actually spent money on a full boxing camp, bringing in top trainers.

YouTube video

Against Le Batard, there is no question White is the better boxer and Daniel Cormier has already said he would help train White. The UFC boss also has so much money, he could pay for all the top coaches and training partners to help him with this fight.

Although Le Batard would have Masvidal, his lack of experience would be a major factor. White would win this fight, rather easily, if it happens. Whether it will happen is the subject of another prop bet.

Pick: Dana White (-550) 

Odds White & Le Batard Fight in 2020

Outcome Odds
Yes +200
No -300

Will This Fight Happen?

Like most times when Dana White accepts a challenge for a boxing match, I have doubts it will actually come to fruition.

Odds have recently come out on a potential White vs Eddie Hearn boxing match. Other celebrities and former fighters have also called out the UFC president for charity and none have transpired. Going on past history, “No” is the safer bet.

White has spoken about his interest in the match, yet, I don’t see why he would fight Le Batard. It makes no sense for his professional career and, if he loses, it would be hard to get over. If he wins, all he did was beat up a radio host with little experience while White has been training boxing for years.

As of right now, I am firmly on “No” and I’m surprised the odds aren’t shorter.

Pick: No (-300)

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