The ongoing feud between Dana White and Stephen Espinoza is intensifying.
The UFC boss and Showtime Boxing chief have clashed several times over the years, with this latest back-and-forth becoming particularly bitter.
Social media is awash with talk that Paramount (who own Showtime) have now decided to axe the channel's boxing content after the end of this year and will be leaving the sport.
It's rumoured that they may still continue broadcasting occasional major PPV fights, but will no longer show regular boxing events.
This is yet to be confirmed by any official sources.
White previously collaborated on one of Showtime's biggest boxing events - Floyd Mayweather vs Conor McGregor.
More Boxing News
However, he came away from the fight with less than positive impressions of some of the people he worked with along the way, particularly Showtime Sports executive Espinoza, who heads up their boxing content.
When asked about the rumours of Showtime leaving boxing on Tuesday, White gave a sarcastic response.
"That's incredibly unfortunate," the UFC president said with a smile, "The production of that show is fantastic.
"The guy who runs Showtime Boxing is a great human being. It's unfortunate to hear this."
Most read in Boxing
After a brief pause, he then let his true feelings be known.
White added: "F*** Espinoza, and it's about time that s***y product is off the air."
After hearing these comments, Espinoza took the opportunity to respond within 24 hours.
Speaking at the Canelo Alvarez vs Jermell Charlo press conference on Wednesday evening, he said: "Not all combat sports is the same.
"No disrespect to anyone, but there are levels to this.
"This event will generate a gate (money from ticket sales) of over $20million. Our third $20million+ gate in the last six months.
"To put that in perspective - the UFC has never done a $20million gate in its entire history.
"We’ve done it three times since April."
These comments seemingly infuriated White, who has now reposted them on his Instagram story before blasting back with a brutal response.
"That's exactly the type of response I would expect from that Weasel Espinoza," White wrote.
"That scumbag has absolutely nothing to do with the success of Canelo, Ryan Garcia, and Terence Crawford.
"Those guys are mega stars and they are the ones responsible for driving the gates in their fights.
"For him to even try and take any credit at all shows you exactly what an arrogant, delusional POS that guy is.
"For this clown to talk about 'levels' is hilarious. The production of the fights on Showtime is an embarrassment and I have been saying that FOREVER.
"He is a little guy with a BIG yap, and is a complete phony.
"I'm not at all surprised this is the end for them. It should have come way sooner.
Read More on talkSPORT
"Sorry to see you go Weasel, enjoy your retirement."
The 'weasel' insult harps back to Conor McGregor's taunting of Espinoza during their press tour in 2017.
ncG1vNJzZmiskaG4tLzOq6tnm5%2BifLS8zquraJqfrbavs45qbHFpYmaEcLLUq6CoraNisaK6wGauoaGkmnqjuMCsq6xlo6mysbTEp2Seq6Ceu7DGwGaunpmjmrlur86npqtlnZi0s7HGqKlo