UFC CEO Dana White has promised to kick off the promotion's new deal with Paramount in a big way. White now says the debut card in the new deal, which begins in January, could be anchored by lightweight champion Ilia Topuria.

Speaking with reporters after Tuesday's episode of Dana White's Contender Series, White said the matchmaking process for the Paramount debut began "literally today."

"Matchmaking was today, and we started working on the first Paramount card today," White continued.

Many of the biggest potential stars the UFC could book, such as Jon Jones and Conor McGregor, have focused their pitches for their next fight on the planned UFC card at the White House in June. Not that a fighter couldn't fight on both the Paramount debut and again nearly half a year later at the White H

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