UFC Star Adesanya Criticizes Dana White Over Benn's $15M Zuffa Deal

Middleweight champion says UFC fighters deserve higher pay like boxing's Conor Benn.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 4:07pm

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Former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya has criticized UFC president Dana White over the reported $15 million signing of boxer Conor Benn to Zuffa Boxing. Adesanya said White should not "forget what brought you to the game" and that UFC fighters deserve higher pay, citing Benn's lucrative deal as an example.

Why it matters

The signing of Benn to a reported $15 million deal by Zuffa Boxing, Dana White's new boxing promotion, has sparked criticism from UFC fighters like Sean O'Malley and now Israel Adesanya over the pay disparity between boxing and MMA. This highlights ongoing tensions between fighters and the UFC over compensation.

The details

In a video on his YouTube channel, Adesanya said O'Malley's recent comments criticizing White were "valid." Adesanya acknowledged that Benn and other top boxers are "the best in the world" at their craft, but argued that UFC fighters are equally elite in MMA. Adesanya said he doesn't "feel jaded" but wants a $15 million payday like Benn, noting UFC fight night bonuses have only increased from $50,000 to $100,000, which "is not even guaranteed."

  • In February 2026, Zuffa Boxing announced the signing of Conor Benn to a reported $15 million deal.
  • In a recent video, Israel Adesanya criticized the pay disparity between boxing and MMA.

The players

Israel Adesanya

A former UFC middleweight champion who has spoken out about fighter pay issues in the UFC.

Dana White

The president of the UFC who has launched a new boxing promotion called Zuffa Boxing.

Conor Benn

A former Matchroom Boxing star who signed a reported $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing.

Sean O'Malley

A UFC fighter who has also criticized Dana White and the UFC over fighter pay.

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What they’re saying

“Don't forget what brought you to the game. This [the UFC] is what got him to the name Dana White, the UFC president. So I can see why the other fighters [are upset].”

— Israel Adesanya, Former UFC Middleweight Champion

“It's crazy how you put in so much work in the UFC. Build this name, create this character, be a star. I'm not making f---ing $15 million to fight.”

— Sean O'Malley, UFC Fighter

What’s next

It remains to be seen if more UFC fighters will speak out about the pay disparity with boxing after Adesanya's comments.

The takeaway

This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions between UFC fighters and the promotion's leadership over compensation, with elite MMA athletes feeling underpaid compared to top boxers like Conor Benn who can command massive purses.