UFC president Dana White dubbed rival US promoter Bob Arum “an arsehole”, while also stressing his boxer Jeff Horn is no longer Australia’s No. 1 fighter.

Speaking exclusively from his Las Vegas HQ, White insisted Arum has seriously erred — and was perhaps suffering the effects “of being 103 years old” -- after forcing Horn to defend his WBO welterweight title on the same date as Aussie UFC champ Rob Whittaker.

In what can only be described as a scheduling blunder, Horn will fight undefeated Terence Crawford in Las Vegas on June 10.

PURCHASE UFC 225 & HORN vs CRAWFORD VIA MAIN EVENT

media_camera Dana White and Bob Arum have a small scheduling conflict to deal with.

On that same day in Chicago, Whittaker will also defend his gold strap at UFC 225, against Cuban monster Yoel Romero.

As revealed last month, Team Horn fears the decision by Arum, who co-promotes Crawford, could cost the Aussie upwards of $1 million in pay-per-view revenue.

Indeed, while Main Event has agreed to show both fights live, few fans are likely to watch both given the purchase prices are around $50.

It means that apart from a showdown between the sweet science and MMA, Aussie fight fans will also be choosing between world champions in both boxing and UFC for the first time.

media_camera Australian UFC fighter Rob Whittaker will defend his title in Chicago on June 10. Picture: Richard Dobson

None of which worries White. “Because Robert Whittaker is Australia’s number one fighter,” the UFC boss insists. “He’s the man now, no doubt.

“And listen, I’ve seen Horn fight. Have got nothing bad to say about the kid, either. I watched his win over Manny Pacquiao and now he’s back out there doing his thing. Good for him. But he isn’t Whittaker.”

And as for Arum forcing Horn into fighting Crawford, who he also promotes, on the day of UFC 225?

“Bob’s an arsehole,” White laughed. “But the thing you have to understand with this guy, he’s 103 years old now. He’s losing his memory.”

Regardless, the battle for Australian fight fans now shapes as an intriguing one.

media_camera Jeff Horn will defend his WBO welterweight title... also on June 10 in the US.

“But I don’t care what sort of boxing card they put on that Sunday,” White said. “It won’t be the same as watching Rob Whittaker.

“Rob’s a guy with incredible hands. Genuine knockout power. And his takedown defence — outstanding. Which is a problem because if you don’t take him down, chances are you’re going to sleep.

“He’s the UFC middleweight champ for a reason. All he ever does is challenge the toughest f...ers we have.”

Speaking after a boxing session in Minto yesterday, Whittaker was happy to play down his impending PPV showdown with Horn.

“It is what it is,” he shrugged.

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