Dana White knew his move into boxing would spark backlash, but he didn’t expect criticism from one of the promoters he long considered an ally.
With Zuffa Boxing set to debut on Jan. 23, White is preparing to officially enter the boxing world with a new promotion he believes can fix what he has repeatedly described as a broken system. The inaugural event, headlined by Callum Walsh vs. Carlos Ocampo and airing on Paramount+, marks White’s first major step toward applying the UFC business model to boxing.
White has never shied away from clashing with boxing powerbrokers like Bob Arum and Oscar De La Hoya. However, his relationship with Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn had always been different, until now.
“There are some good guys in the sport of boxing,” Dana White told Stephen A. Smith.
“I was actually surprised Eddie Hearn, I’ve been cool with him for a long time, at his take on me getting into boxing and his reaction to it. Very negative. Very confrontational, which I found weird, because it’s not his style.”
Hearn has been vocal in opposing the proposed Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act, a law that would allow Zuffa Boxing to operate with in-house titles, rankings, and long-term exclusive fighter contracts, similar to how the UFC functions. He also mocked what he claimed were low fighter pay offers tied to the new promotion.
White, however, believes Hearn’s reaction stems from fear rather than principle.
“Yes, 100 percent [it’s because we’re coming to boxing],” White said.“He’s talking like a politician now. He’s like, ‘I look forward to it, we’re going to beat them, we’re going to do this and we’re going to do that.’”
White didn’t stop there, drawing a sharp comparison between Hearn’s comments and empty campaign promises.
“You’ve been here for 25 years. What are you talking about?” White added.“It’s like the politician who’s running for re-election. He’s going to tell you all the things he’s going to change and do. Well, why didn’t you do that in your last term? That’s Eddie Hearn.”
Despite the growing tension, White remains focused on launching Zuffa Boxing. The debut card will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, just one day before UFC 324. Walsh, an undefeated Irish prospect backed by White for years, enters the main event with a 15-0 record against Mexico’s Carlos Ocampo, who has only lost to elite names like Errol Spence Jr., Sebastian Fundora, and Tim Tszyu.
White sees 2026 as the true proving ground for his boxing ambitions after co-promoting Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford last September alongside Turki Alalshikh.
“I’ve been talking smack about boxing for a long time, and now it’s time for me to put my money where my mouth is,” Dana White said.“The best will fight the best. We’re going to sign all the young, up-and-coming guys.”
“If you break into the top 10 and you’re still undefeated, your undefeated record means something,” he said.“Everybody’s undefeated in boxing because nobody fights anybody. Everybody will fight everybody.”
With its own titles and ranking system, Zuffa Boxing represents Dana White’s boldest challenge yet to boxing’s traditional structure. Whether the sport embraces his vision or pushes back harder remains to be seen, but one thing is clear, Dana White is no longer just talking.
