All articles tagged with #zuffa boxing
Dana White said he and Eddie Hearn could box to settle their feud, signaling a promotional showdown even as White’s Zuffa Boxing signs Conor Benn and Hearn signs Tom Aspinall; both acknowledge their age but hint at a potential bout or Jake Paul–style card in the future.
Israel Adesanya tells Dana White to remember MMA roots as White pushes into boxing with Zuffa Boxing and signs Conor Benn for $15 million; Adesanya meanwhile heads to UFC Seattle to face Joe Pyfer after a losing streak, eyeing a comeback.
Max Holloway urged UFC fighters to know their worth and unite for bigger pay after reports that Conor Benn could earn $15 million in a Zuffa Boxing showdown with Regis Prograis, arguing the Paramount+ deal and current pay structures demand collective leverage; he cited Demetrious Johnson and Georges St-Pierre in stressing fighters must band together rather than undercut each other.
TKO Group Holdings executive Mark Shapiro said Conor Benn’s reported $15 million one‑fight deal with Zuffa Boxing isn’t paid by TKO; the purse is financed by SELA, the Saudi-backed backer. Benn’s signing is described as a one‑fight plan with potential marquee superfights in 2026, with White and Khan leading the effort and Benn not expected to fight regularly on Zuffa Boxing at this time.
Max Kellerman tells Eddie Hearn to mind his business after Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya criticized Zuffa Boxing, arguing the streaming-backed venture is expanding boxing and rendering the old-promoter status quo obsolete. He cites Conor Benn’s loss to Zuffa as evidence of the shift and warns rivals not to talk trash one day and cry the next. Kellerman frames Zuffa Boxing as the new game for boxing, though it’s financed by Saudi interests, signaling a major reorientation in how the sport is promoted and consumed.
Demetrious Johnson says Dana White’s $15 million signing of Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing was a deliberate flex intended to show boxing can pay big and to fuel the boxing-vs-MMA pay debate. He notes UFC salaries are largely opaque, making direct comparisons difficult, and argues such a payday is exceptional for MMA stars, reflecting White’s ongoing rivalry with Eddie Hearn and Matchroom.
Sean O'Malley reacted to reports that Zuffa Boxing signed Conor Benn for a $15 million, one‑fight deal, saying he can’t believe such a payday exists and underscoring the pay gap between boxing stars and UFC fighters. He noted Benn’s fame, questioned the figure, and suggested the move could be driven by business or ego amid ongoing tensions between UFC/White and boxing figures.
Eddie Hearn says he’s devastated after Conor Benn left Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing, blaming himself for not keeping Benn loyal; Benn’s deal is reportedly eight-figures for a single fight, though numbers aren’t confirmed. Benn emphasized a long relationship with Matchroom and hopes Hearn stays involved, while Hearn says he could have matched the offer but Benn wasn’t interested. The move intensifies tensions with Dana White and signals a protracted rivalry between the promoters.
Boxing star Conor Benn is reported to have signed a one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing worth about $15 million, one of the sport’s largest purses outside a world title, signaling strong investment as Zuffa expands into boxing; Benn will be free to pursue other options after this bout.
Britain's Conor Benn has left Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing to join Dana White's Zuffa Boxing, saying he's excited for legacy fights as Zuffa aims to disrupt boxing's traditional title structure. Benn, who beat Chris Eubank Jr last year, remains within world-title contention, while Hearn hinted at future collaborations; the move signals a major shift in boxing's promoter landscape.
Boxing and MMA power players trade barbs as UFC boss Dana White criticizes Eddie Hearn over Zuffa Boxing, while Hearn fires back with scathing attacks on Zuffa’s “vision” and branding their shows as subpar. He also accuses White of being controlled by Saudi-backed backer Turki Alalshikh, highlighting a heated cross-promotional feud that frames boxing’s evolving landscape.
Eddie Hearn blasts Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, calling its shows 'absolute complete dogshit,' questioning the promotion’s vision while White says Zuffa Boxing is just getting started. Hearn also notes White’s shift under Saudi ownership and cheekily references Dana’s 'new daddy' Turki Alalshikh, as the rival promoters trade barbs and the feud shows no sign of cooling.
Dana White says Zuffa Boxing is quickly making an impact in boxing with little pushback from traditional promoters and sanctioning bodies, calling the sport's old guard outmatched and predicting a transformative year; he criticizes rivals like Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya, asserts he won't work with the WBC/IBF, and plans to build a new championship model as the promotion enters its third event.
Dana White said Zuffa Boxing's debut at the Apex on Paramount+ was solid but not thrilling, with room to improve despite two late stoppages and a doctor’s decision; he outlined a long list of changes for the boxing operation, praised the production, and revealed hefty bonuses—including $100,000 extra to a winner—as he builds the new venture.
Dana White defends his ongoing commitment to the UFC amid a broadened promotional portfolio, saying critics misread a CBS interview and that his plans for 2026–27 will prove he remains dedicated to UFC, Zuffa Boxing, Power Slap and related ventures.