TLDR
- Dana White called Eddie Hearn part of boxing’s problem after Hearn criticized Zuffa Boxing’s new championship belt as “cringey”
- White said Hearn lacks vision and has only worked within boxing’s traditional system without innovation
- The UFC CEO also attacked Oscar De La Hoya and WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán during the press conference
- White said he feels like he’s “beating up babies” in boxing after just three Zuffa Boxing events
- Zuffa Boxing plans to create its own championship structure outside traditional sanctioning bodies
Sources: Boxing News 24 | Bloody Elbow | Sports Illustrated | BJ Penn
Dana White has fired back at Eddie Hearn after the Matchroom Boxing promoter criticized Zuffa Boxing’s new championship belt system. White made his comments during the post-fight press conference for Zuffa Boxing 3 on Saturday.
Hearn had called Zuffa’s decision to create its own championship titles “cringey” and questioned why the promotion would operate outside traditional sanctioning bodies. The British promoter said it was disrespectful to boxing’s established structure.
White did not hold back in his response. “I saw Eddie Hearn saying that the belt is cringey and all that stuff,” White said. “I don’t think anybody looks at Eddie Hearn and says ‘oh this guy is a visionary.'”
Dana White has a question for the boxing world: Why, after 100 years and billions in revenue, does the sport still lack a unified structure? đź’µ
With his Zuffa Boxing era in full swing, White argues it’s not a lack of money, but a lack of vision that keeps boxing from competing… pic.twitter.com/BImdLwXhTY
— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) February 16, 2026
White Questions Hearn’s Innovation
The UFC CEO accused Hearn of being stuck in boxing’s old ways. “The guy’s been in boxing forever,” White said. “I look at him like most politicians; you’ve done nothing in the sport except stay in the lane, play by all the rules and ride right along.”
White went further, claiming Hearn has become part of boxing’s systemic issues. “You ended up becoming part of the problem, is what happened,” he said.
The Zuffa Boxing head also brought up Hearn’s family business. “Eddie Hearn works for his dad,” White said. “I don’t think he’s come in and ever had any type of vision, whereas we do. We’re gonna change the entire sport.”
White said other promoters have the money and resources to compete but lack the vision. “The sport has been out there for over 100 years and there’s plenty of guys that are involved in the sport,” he said. “Eddie Hearn and his dad have a lot of money. It’s not like they can’t compete. They can’t compete cause they don’t know how to compete.”
White Takes Aim at Other Boxing Figures
White expanded his criticism beyond Hearn to include Oscar De La Hoya and the sanctioning bodies. “They don’t stop talking, the WBC and Eddie Hearn and all this sh** that Oscar De La Hoya talks,” White said.
He called De La Hoya “mentally ill” and referenced the former boxer’s financial troubles. “His place is in foreclosure, he’s suing his fighter to try to stay with him,” White said.
White also targeted WBC president Mauricio Sulaimán. “This Sulaimán guy is incredible,” White said. “He’s the greatest PR guy for how f***d up boxing is of all time.”
The UFC boss made clear his approach to the traditional sanctioning system. “I never said anything bad about the WBC or the IBF or any of them,” White said. “I just said I’m not going to do business with them. I’m going to do my own thing.”
White expressed confidence after just three Zuffa Boxing events. “This is like beating up babies,” he said. “I feel like I came in and I’m beating up babies. I expected more. I expected some push-back; I expected them to be more game. They’re all way out of their league.”
Zuffa Boxing plans to hold its fourth event featuring IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia defending against Brandon Glanton. The fight will also be for the inaugural Zuffa Boxing cruiserweight title.
White said he would let his body of work speak for itself. “I’ll lay out a body of work this year and then you can judge me by how this thing plays out,” he said.
