Dana White Blasts Eddie Hearn After Conor Benn Signs With Zuffa Boxing

Promoters trade barbs over Benn's high-profile departure from Matchroom Boxing

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The boxing world erupted in a firestorm of trash talk and personal attacks after Conor Benn announced he was leaving Matchroom Boxing to sign with Zuffa Boxing. UFC president Dana White wasted no time criticizing Eddie Hearn's emotional reaction, calling him a "bigger pussy" than expected. Oscar De La Hoya and Chris Eubank Jr. also weighed in, with Hearn himself visibly devastated by what he sees as a personal betrayal from a fighter he heavily invested in.

Why it matters

Benn's high-profile move to Zuffa Boxing is seen as a major blow to traditional boxing promoters like Matchroom, and the ensuing war of words highlights the growing rivalry between established boxing promoters and the new entrant Zuffa Boxing, which is shaking up the sport's power dynamics.

The details

Benn officially announced his departure from Matchroom on February 20, triggering a 24-hour firestorm of trash talk. Dana White wasted no time criticizing Hearn's emotional reaction, saying "Is there a bigger pussy than Eddie Hearn?" and accusing him of "crying" over losing Benn. Oscar De La Hoya questioned the financial logic of Benn's deal and took personal shots at White. Hearn himself was visibly devastated, saying he "misjudged the character" of a fighter he heavily invested in over the years.

  • Benn officially announced his departure from Matchroom Boxing on February 20, 2026.
  • Dana White made his comments at the UFC Houston post-fight press conference on February 21, 2026.
  • Oscar De La Hoya and Eddie Hearn gave interviews on February 21, 2026.

The players

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), who has been a vocal critic of traditional boxing promoters and is seen as leading Zuffa Boxing's entry into the sport.

Eddie Hearn

The chairman of Matchroom Sport and a prominent boxing promoter, who is visibly devastated by Benn's departure from his promotion.

Conor Benn

A British professional boxer who has left Matchroom Boxing to sign with Zuffa Boxing, a move that has sparked a major promotional feud.

Oscar De La Hoya

A former professional boxer and the founder of Golden Boy Promotions, who has also weighed in on the controversy surrounding Benn's move.

Chris Eubank Jr.

A British professional boxer who has taken to social media to criticize both Hearn and Benn over the situation.

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What they’re saying

“Is there a bigger pussy than Eddie Hearn? This guy's supposed to be your friend and you're f—ing crying? Get it together, man. This is the fight game. Fighters come and go. We're literally beating up babies.”

— Dana White, UFC President (UFC Houston post-fight press conference)

“I heard it's a one fight deal for eight figures. And what I don't understand is like, yeah, who is paying him? He's going to demand a lot of money. If it's going to be eight figures, whatever it might be, he's going to demand a lot of money. I'm not sure who's going to pay. I feel Conor Benn going to Zuffa was just mindboggling to me.”

— Oscar De La Hoya (iFL TV)

“I'm not going to sit here and hang Conor Benn out to dry. But I got to be honest with you, me personally, pretty devastated. It's not often you get shocked, and I blame myself because I forgot it was boxing. I just felt that the loyalty that we've shown would never ever put us in this position.”

— Eddie Hearn, Matchroom Boxing Chairman (iFL TV)

What’s next

The fallout from Benn's move to Zuffa Boxing is far from over, with continued coverage expected as the story develops further.

The takeaway

Benn's high-profile departure from Matchroom Boxing to join Zuffa Boxing has sparked a bitter promotional feud, highlighting the growing rivalry between established boxing promoters and new entrants like Zuffa who are shaking up the sport's power dynamics.