Hearn vs. White: The War of Words Escalates

The public feud between boxing promoter Eddie Hearn (Matchroom Boxing) and UFC CEO Dana White has intensified following White's entry into professional boxing with Zuffa Boxing. The exchange of criticisms now covers fighter compensation, talent representation, and the very nature of boxing's championship titles.

White Opens Fire

Dana White expressed surprise at the limited resistance he has faced from established boxing promoters since Zuffa Boxing launched in 2026, characterizing the competition as minimal.

White also launched a personal attack on Hearn, alleging that Matchroom Boxing has achieved "nothing in the sport" and that Hearn lacks independent vision—working primarily for his father, Barry Hearn, who founded Matchroom in 1982.

"He works for his daddy." — Dana White

Hearn Strikes Back

Eddie Hearn responded across several interviews, calling White's characterization of the competition "disturbing."

Hearn countered that Zuffa Boxing's early shows and talent quality are not impressive compared to Matchroom's offerings, though he acknowledged that Zuffa is expected to improve and invest significantly in the future.

On the "Daddy" Comment

Hearn confirmed he works for his father, then drew a pointed parallel:

"Dana also worked for the Fertitta brothers, who previously owned the UFC, and currently operates under Turki Alalalshikh and TKO Group Holdings, which owns UFC and controls SELA."

On Zuffa's Championship Belt

Hearn was particularly scathing about Zuffa Boxing's creation of its own world championship belt, calling the concept:

"The cringiest shit I've ever seen."

He argued that promotional entities do not have the right to create their own world championships due to boxing's historical governance. Existing belts, he said, derive their significance from the sport's long-standing history. While he acknowledged such a title might gain relevance for future generations, he stated it "does not align with my view of boxing."

The Rivalry Moves to Talent

The war has expanded well beyond words.

White signed boxer Conor Benn away from Hearn's Matchroom stable. In a swift counter-move, Hearn signed UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall to his Matchroom Talent Agency.

The Aspinall Signing

Hearn insisted the signing was a business decision, not an act of retaliation. He identified Aspinall as a major star in combat sports and viewed the deal as an opportunity to elevate Aspinall's profile and expand Matchroom's agency capabilities.

Notably, Hearn revealed that other high-profile UFC fighters and former PFL star Francis Ngannou have expressed interest in his agency's representation.

Fighter Compensation: A Direct Challenge

Hearn publicly challenged White to release Aspinall from his UFC contract.

"I am guaranteeing Aspinall a minimum of three times his current UFC salary if White releases him."

Hearn described Aspinall's UFC contract as "one of the worst, most grossly underpaid athletes in commercial sports." He cited White's own past statement that fighters should earn as much as possible, referencing Conor Benn's deal with Zuffa Boxing.

Aspinall is currently sidelined with eye injuries sustained at UFC 321 in October 2025 and has been inactive due to a lack of a fight with Jon Jones.

Hearn's Boxing Challenge

In a surprising twist, Hearn stated he would participate in a boxing match against White, citing potential financial benefits from platforms like Netflix or DAZN.

He expressed confidence in his ability to win, noting he is younger and taller than White.

White has not publicly responded to this specific challenge, having previously backed off from a proposed fight with Hearn.

Looking Ahead

Zuffa Boxing is scheduled to crown its first Zuffa Boxing World Cruiserweight Champion on March 8, with Jai Opetaia set to fight Brandon Glanton for the title.

As for the broader feud, White has not publicly responded to Hearn's challenge regarding Aspinall's contract. Hearn stated an intention to maintain a professional relationship with the UFC, focusing on Aspinall's best interests.

The exchange of criticisms between the two figures has only grown more heated in recent weeks—with no sign of cooling down.