As if the world wasn’t crazy enough with people stuck in isolation for the past several months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ESPN radio personality Dan Le Batard has decided to challenge UFC president Dana White to a charity fight.
The mixed martial arts promoter wasted no time in accepting the call-out and even offered to put up $250,000 to whatever charity they choose. If Le Batard decides to go through with this fight, he’s pegged as a huge underdog.
You're on the clock, @LeBatardShow.@danawhite told @michaeleaves he'd pledge $250k for a charity fight against ESPN's Dan Le Batard pic.twitter.com/nXksP3it0X
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 6, 2020
Sportsbook
Online sportsbook Sportsbook has released odds on whether this fight will take place by the end of 2020 and has put the “No” at a disappointing -450 with the “Yes” coming back at +275. If the fight were to occur, though, White is a massive -550 favorite with Le Batard set as a +325 underdog.
| Outcome | Odds |
|---|---|
| No | -450 |
| Yes | +275 |
Odds as of June 18 at Sportsbook
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Dana White | -550 |
| Dan Le Batard | +325 |
Odds as of June 18 at Sportsbook
I can confidently say I’d prefer to see Mike Tyson’s comeback, perhaps in a trilogy with Evander Holyfield, than watch two non-fighters going at it.
How Did The Challenge Come To Be And Will This Fight Take Place?
If you’re not an avid follower of the UFC, allow me to fill you in on the latest goings-on. The bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo, announced his retirement while demanding the UFC “show him the money,” suggesting a larger paycheck might persuade him to return. Meanwhile, BMF titleholder Jorge Masvidal and light heavyweight champ Jon Jones, arguably the pound-for-pound king, have also asked to be released from their contracts, citing insufficient pay.
On the Dan Le Batard Show, White was pressed on the fighter pay issue over and over again. He then said that Le Batard has been annoying for a long time and eventually the host said he’d like to fight the UFC president – he’d lose some weight and fight for a charity. Immediately, White accepted on the podcast and then shortly after put up the $250,000 for the charity of choice, leaving the ball in Le Batard’s court. Le Batard responded by saying the offer was a “low-ball offer” just like underpaying the fighters.
No doubt in my mind, Dana White would take this fight in an instant. With Le Batard responding that $250,000 for a charity wasn’t good enough, that sort of tells me he’s not really interested in the fight – even though he had a UFC titleholder offer to train him.
If @LeBatardShow and @danawhite do end up fighting for charity, Dan will have @GamebredFighter in his corner, while Dana will have @dc_mma. pic.twitter.com/373IfsJElj
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) June 9, 2020
How Would This Fight Play Out?
I’m guessing not good for the 51-year-old radio host, who to my knowledge has little to no fighting experience or training. The 50-year-old White, on the other hand, used to box in high school, has been involved in combat sports for many years and has a top-of-the-line gym at his disposal.
Le Batard may be bigger, but he would eventually tire and White’s skills would allow him to dominate later. Lastly, like Le Batard, White also has some muscle behind him to help him train for this bout, as seen on the DC and Helwani Show.
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