White challenges Hearn to fight while rejecting lawsuit threats tied to Zuffa’s boxing expansion
Dana White has challenged Eddie Hearn to settle their dispute in a boxing ring. The UFC president also dismissed reports that Queensberry promoter Frank Warren could sue him over Zuffa’s boxing venture.
The UFC president made the comments during an appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, addressing the fallout surrounding Conor Benn’s reported move to the new Zuffa boxing project.
White made clear he would not back down from Hearn and said the dispute could be handled directly.
“Listen, if Eddie wants to box, we can box,” White said.
White indicated he would have no hesitation stepping into the ring himself if the promoter decided to pursue the challenge.
“I don’t think Eddie wants to box… Yeah, listen, I used to, back in the day, I used to box with all the guys – boxers and UFC guys, I have boxed.”
Host Piers Morgan asked if White would follow through if Hearn agreed.
“Absolutely,” White replied.
The tension intensified after reports that Conor Benn joined the new Zuffa boxing project in a deal widely reported to be worth around $15 million. White argued Benn simply accepted the strongest financial offer available.
“The whole Conor Benn thing, apparently, they’re supposed to be really close, and Eddie’s supposed to be hurt by this and all this stuff,” White said. “Eddie Hearn and his father are incredibly wealthy and will be for the rest of their lives. Conor, who they care about, is going to make some good money for him and his family. He should be happy for him if they’re that friendly and that close, or he should have matched the deal, which he could have done.”
White also addressed reports that Queensberry Promotions boss Frank Warren could pursue legal action tied to the Saudi partnership with TKO Group and Zuffa Boxing.
“Sue me? Sue me for what? I mean, I’m in the business, just like they’re in the business. What have I done, other than compete, to be sued by the Warrens?” White said.
White insisted he had no dispute with Warren and said no contracted fighters had been approached improperly.
“We haven’t messed with any of their fighters that are under contract or try to steal anybody or do anything like that. And we won’t, to any of the promoters. I’m here to compete.”
Reports in The Telegraph suggested Warren is preparing a legal challenge concerning the partnership between Saudi Arabia’s Sela and the TKO Group with Zuffa Boxing and his exclusion from it.
White said he does not see grounds for a case.
“The Warrens haven’t said anything, but they’re talking about legal action? You know, I don’t know what they have, think they have, with Turki Al-Sheikh, you know, that’s their relationship. But I don’t know what I have done to the Warrens that they think I should be sued. Other than compete.”
The remarks underline the tension surrounding Zuffa’s push into boxing and the shifting alliances around Saudi-backed events.