Dana White Mocks Eddie Hearn After Conor Benn Leaves Matchroom Boxing

UFC boss celebrates Zuffa Boxing's signing of top welterweight as Hearn expresses 'devastation' over losing fighter

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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UFC President Dana White unleashed a profanity-laced tirade against boxing promoter Eddie Hearn after Conor Benn left Hearn's Matchroom Boxing for a reported $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing, White's new boxing organization. White mocked Hearn for being "f***ing crying" over losing Benn, one of Matchroom's top fighters, to Zuffa's aggressive pursuit of top talent.

Why it matters

Zuffa Boxing, led by White, has quickly emerged as an aggressive new player in the fragmented boxing world, challenging the established promotional powers like Hearn's Matchroom. Benn's high-profile defection is seen as a major blow to Hearn and a significant win for White's upstart organization.

The details

Just one day after Benn shocked the boxing world by leaving Matchroom, White took aim at Hearn during the UFC Houston post-fight press conference. White mocked Hearn for being "a bigger p****" and "crying" over losing Benn, who White said will "make more money" with Zuffa. Hearn admitted he was "pretty devastated" by Benn's decision, saying he was denied even a phone call with the fighter despite their nearly 10-year partnership.

  • On February 22, 2026, Dana White made his comments at the UFC Houston post-fight press conference.

The players

Dana White

The president of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and the co-founder of the new Zuffa Boxing organization.

Eddie Hearn

The chairman of Matchroom Sport and the head of Matchroom Boxing, one of the leading boxing promotional companies in the UK.

Conor Benn

A 29-year-old British welterweight boxer who recently left Matchroom Boxing to sign a reported $15 million deal with Zuffa Boxing.

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What they’re saying

“What a crock of s***. Yeah, we're literally beating up babies.”

— Dana White, UFC President (Yahoo Sports)

“I made a mistake, because I misjudged [Benn's] character. When I received the email from his lawyer, I texted him and said, 'I think we should have a call. I think for everything I've done for you, I think I deserve a call.' And he said, 'No.' And I was like, 'Man, f***, I can't believe it.'”

— Eddie Hearn, Chairman of Matchroom Sport (iFL TV)

What’s next

Zuffa Boxing is expected to continue its aggressive pursuit of top boxing talent as it seeks to challenge the established promotional powers in the sport.

The takeaway

Dana White's Zuffa Boxing has emerged as a major disruptive force in the boxing world, using its deep pockets and willingness to challenge the status quo to lure top fighters away from traditional promoters like Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing.