UFC boss Dana White has given his side of the story on Shakur Stevenson's shock Zuffa Boxing departure.

Zuffa Boxing rocked the boxing landscape when they secured Stevenson's elite services to a multi-fight deal in July.

Stevenson, a four-weight world champion, had been lined up to make his promotional debut in a monster fight against fellow American Devin Haney.

But Zuffa Boxing failed to make Stevenson vs Haney, which is the reason why the 29-year-old chose to leave White's boxing promotion.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: "I’ve been working my ass off. Staying focused, staying in shape. I’ve been in camp for, like, eight weeks preparing for fights that I was told was going to happen and it has not happened but look, it is what it is.

"This is the business of boxing. I’m not mad at anyone, I’m not pointing no fingers, but upon all of these issues and things that’s been going on, I requested to be released from Zuffa Boxing. Now, over the weekend, my request has been granted and I am officially a free agent."

Dana White Explains Why Shakur Stevenson Got Released From Zuffa Boxing

After UFC 333, White fielded questions from the media in his post-fight press conference, and he was asked about Stevenson's departure from Zuffa Boxing, which sent shockwaves through the sport.

He told a slightly different story to Stevenson, as the 57-year-old claimed it was in fact he who offered the New Jersey native's release from the promotion.

"I offered him his release."

On whether he was being 'difficult' to work with, the UFC president and CEO said: "Listen, man, I think that everyone involved in it is happy with where we’re at with it. I’ve nothing bad to say about him or his team. I offered him the release and they accepted."

Stevenson's exit prompted a question about why the star boxer could leave while UFC fighters, including Sean Strickland, seeking releases remained under contract.

White said the brief business relationship allowed him to leave, adding: "We never even did one fight with the guy. We were in business with him for a couple months.

"Listen, I’m not going to get into all this. I’m not gonna say anything negative about him... We got to a position where we both agreed we were cool with the release."

What's Next for Shakur Stevenson?

Stevenson is one of the biggest names in the sport, so he will have no shortage of options. Given his star power and ability, he will be wanted by boxing's biggest players, including Eddie Hearn, who wants to re-sign him to a deal with Matchroom.

"Do I want to sign Shakur Stevenson? Cards on the table. Absolutely,” Hearn said to The Stomping Ground. "But I need to be able to provide the right plan for him and his team, the right money as well."

Stevenson joined the Matchroom stable in 2024 but left after just one fight of his original two-fight deal.

A reunion with Hearn could be on the cards as the British promoter hopes to match him against Dalton Smith, who defended his WBC light-welterweight title against Alberto Puello in Sheffield on Saturday.