The war of words between Eddie Hearn and Dana White isn’t cooling down anytime soon. After White mocked Hearn following the signing of Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing, the Matchroom promoter responded publicly admitting the situation hurt but standing firm that caring about fighters isn’t a weakness.
“Call me a p*ssy. I care. I care about the fighters,” Hearn said in an interview with IFL TV.
The tension erupted after Benn left Matchroom Boxing where he spent most of his career to sign a one-fight deal with Zuffa Boxing. The new promotion is backed financially by Turki Alalshikh and his organization SELA, which funds major boxing events while TKO Group Holdings handles promotion and event organization.
Hearn admitted losing Benn was painful due to their long working relationship.n“It did hurt and I do feel massively betrayed.” He also said he tried to call Benn after learning about the deal but was unable to speak with him.
Hearn vs. White: Two Different Philosophies
White mocked Hearn during a UFC post-fight press conference, questioning why he was upset about the move. Hearn responded by highlighting what he sees as a fundamental difference between how they approach fighters.
“Have you ever seen Dana White show any emotion when someone wins? He gets in, gives the belt, does the presser and goes home with a cigar and whiskey.”
Hearn says he wears his emotions openly celebrating fighters’ wins and feeling personal disappointment when relationships end. “Nothing makes me happier than someone achieving their dreams.”
Turning the Insults into Marketing
Despite the criticism, Hearn actually sees the public feud as beneficial especially for his brand in the United States. “You’re sitting at your UFC press conference and you’re talking about me… in terms of building my profile in the U.S., this is golden.” In other words, the more White mentions him, the more exposure Matchroom gets in the American market.
Interestingly, Hearn doesn’t direct his frustration toward Alalshikh, whose Saudi-backed investment has reshaped the boxing landscape. Instead, he views the situation pragmatically. “When he needs me, we’ll do business. And when he doesn’t… he might try to f*ck me. But at least I know.”
The Bigger Picture
This feud represents something bigger than just Benn’s contract.
It reflects a shifting power dynamic in boxing:
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Traditional promoters like Hearn
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New entrants like White and Zuffa Boxing
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Saudi investment reshaping event economics
With Zuffa Boxing promising a massive debut year, the rivalry between White and Hearn could become one of the sport’s defining promotional battles.
Dana White vs. Eddie Hearn Escalates After Conor Benn Signs with Zuffa Boxing
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Robert LaMar is a Deputy Editor for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
