DANA WHITE has cast doubt over Katie Taylor’s Las Vegas fight after dismissing reports surrounding the Sphere.
White denied claims that Eddie Hearn would beat him to hosting the first combat sports event at the venue.
Reports last week suggested that Taylor’s rematch with Amanda Serrano was set for Vegas in early June.
However, White has claimed that this is not the case despite the fact his Sphere booking is not until September.
Mexican Independence Day is set for White’s UFC show but the promoter is adamant that Hearn and co will not slide in for a June bout.
He said at the UFC300 post-fight press conference: “I love Eddie Hearn, I consider him a friend, ain’t happening.
“Sorry Eddie, love you buddy, you can go in the Sphere in October.”
The fight with Serrano means that Taylor’s trilogy fight with Chantelle Cameron looks to have been shelved.
A May 25 date had been earmarked for the possible bout at the 3Arena, but those hopes have faded while a Croke Park date for the 2012 Olympic champion appears as distant as ever.
Hearn has opened talks with Serrano’s team and it seems as if the Puerto Rican is keen on a rematch with Taylor.
Hearn said: “There is a good chance she could fight Serrano next.
“Absolutely, the Serrano rematch is an option for the next fight. It would be a huge fight.”
Southpaw Serrano lost a controversial split decision against Taylor in April 2022 in front of a sold-out Madison Square Garden in New York when the world lightweight belts were on the line.
Serrano defeated Sarah Mahfoud to win the WBO, WBC, IBF, IBO world featherweight titles five months later before adding the WBA version with a victory over Erika Cruz Hernandez.
Hearn added: “I think it is the fight that makes sense for Katie Taylor. A State-side fight is definitely appealing after the success of their fight at Madison Square Garden. Katie wants the biggest fights.”
In March, Cameron, who split with trainer Jamie Moore in the wake of defeat to Taylor in November, claimed that she accepted a ‘massive purse reduction’ for a third bout with the Irish star.
That the fight was not happening, claimed Cameron, was ‘down to Katie and her team and not me’.