{
  "id": 16435543,
  "title": "Dana White explains why Shakur Stevenson got release UFC fighters seek",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/dana-white-explains-why-shakur-stevenson-got-release-ufc-fighters-seek",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-25T05:21:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dana-white-explains-why-shakur-052104993.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "UFC chief Dana White announced that he had given Shakur Stevenson the option to be released from their partnership with Zuffa Boxing, before the boxer was scheduled to fight for the promotion. During the UFC 333 post-fight press conference, White explained how Stevenson's situation differed from that of other UFC fighters seeking to end their contracts with the organization. When asked if Stevenson had been challenging to work with, White refrained from criticizing the fighter or his representatives. \"Listen, man. I think that everybody's involved. They're happy, you know, with where we're at with it. I have nothing bad to say about him or his team, but I offered him the release, and they accepted,\" White stated. Stevenson's exit from Zuffa Boxing also raised questions about why he could leave while other UFC fighters seeking releases remained under contract. White attributed this to the short duration of their business relationship. \"Well, we never even did one fight with the guy. We were in business with him for a couple of months,\" White explained. White did not specify a particular reason for ending the partnership or provide further details on the discussions.",
  "summary": "Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana White said he offered Shakur Stevenson his release from Zuffa Boxing, ending their partnership before the boxer competed for the promotion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Stevenson 'granted' Zuffa release without fighting",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/stevenson-granted-zuffa-release-without-fighting",
        "published": "2026-10-20T06:04:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}