Dana White is ‘fully convinced’ NFL star will be the UFC heavyweight champion by 2030

According to the athletic NFL star, UFC boss Dana White is convinced that he could become the heavyweight champion of the promotion.

MMA fighters are widely regarded as some of the most athletic competitors across all sports due to the many different facets of the sport.

Despite that, it isn’t always the way for the heavyweight division, which often promotes fighters of completely different shapes and sizes.

There are some extremely athletic heavyweights like Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, but then on the other end of the spectrum, you have out of shape heavyweights like Chris Barnett and Tai Tuivasa, to name a few.

And that is why Dana White allegedly believes that NFL superstar Maxx Crosby could become a UFC heavyweight champion.

Maxx Crosby claims Dana White is ‘fully convinced’ he could become UFC champion

Several fighters, including Brock Lesnar, have become extremely successful in the UFC off the back of careers in the NFL.

Current UFC heavyweight Josh Hokit is undefeated in the sport with an 8-0 record, winning his first two outings in the UFC via KO.

He, too, had a successful career in the NFL, playing for the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers.

Top heavyweight prospect Gable Steveson is taking the MMA world by storm, and although he doesn’t exactly have a past career in the NFL, he was in fact signed by the Buffalo Bills in 2024 but failed to make an appearance.

One of the most athletic players in the league, Crosby, is also a huge UFC fan. He is regularly in attendance for fight nights, and he has a strong relationship with White and co.

And with the star currently experiencing issues with his team, the Las Vegas Raiders, he was asked in a recent interview if fighting in the UFC could be in his future.

“You know, it’s funny, Hunter Campbell and Dana, they’re hilarious, and they’re fully convinced that by the year 2030 or 2031, I’m gonna be the heavyweight champion, and I’m not the type of person who’s gonna put a limit on what I’m gonna do and I definitely have certain things I want to do,” he told CBS Sports.

“I’m never gonna close the door on opportunities so I truly don’t know. My body has been through a lot but if it makes sense at the time and if it’s in my heart and my soul, then I wanna go out there and compete, it might just happen, you never know. I love fighting… I have the power and speed.”

Could Crosby replicate Brock Lesnar’s achievement?

Although Crosby is widely regarded as one of the most athletic players in the NFL, he doesn’t have a combat sports background.

When Lesnar made his transition to the UFC, he was already widely known for his background in wrestling, which gave him a big advantage in his career.