Dana White Slams Tune-Up Fights As “Old-School And Stupid” After Anthony Joshua’s Prenga Scare
UFC President Dana White has ripped into tune-up fights after Anthony Joshua survived a scare against Kristian Prenga.
Joshua returned to the ring 7 months after surviving a near-death experience on December 29, 2025. The car in which the Brit was traveling during his visit to Nigeria was involved in a horrific crash, resulting in the death of his trainer and strength and conditioning coach. The two were close friends of the heavyweight boxer as well. However, Joshua miraculously survived.
Speculation about the 36-year-old’s future in the sport was rife following the tragic incident. But a resolute Joshua decided to make a return. He took on 35-year-old Albanian Kristian Prenga at Jeddah Superdome in Saudi Arabia.
In a fight that ran high on emotions for Joshua and his team, things could have gotten much worse after Prenga knocked Joshua down twice in the first round. However, the Brit picked himself up, making a resounding comeback in the very next round to flatline Prenga.
Speaking about Joshua surviving a scare in the first round and eventually earning a victory, Dana White made it clear that he was not a fan of tune-up fights. He told Oscar Willis of The Mac Life:
I was somewhere in New York and I got the text that he had been down in the first round…I’m not a big believer in tune-up fights. What does a tune-up fight even mean? It’s just so old-school and stupid – a quick money grab.
Check out Dana White’s comments below:
Anthony Joshua’s potential next opponent, Tyson Fury won A Day Before the Brit’s Victory
A day before Anthony Joshua beat Kristian Prenga, his potential next opponent, Tyson Fury earned a win as well.
Fury took on 46-year-old Mariusz Wach in front of a mere 1500 spectators, in a fight he did not headline as well. He looked in control for the majority of the fight, and Wach’s corner eventually withdrew him from the fight after the end of the 7th round, to hand Fury the win.
