The UFC president made the comments during an interview with Piers Morgan Uncensoredwhere he discussed the fallout following Conor Benn’s reported move to Zuffa’s new boxing project.
White’s comments came after weeks of tension between the two executives as Zuffa Boxing begins to establish itself in the sport. The dispute escalated after Benn, who was previously aligned with Matchroom, joined the new venture in a deal widely reported to be worth millions.
White spoke directly about Hearn during the interview, making it clear that he didn’t hesitate to step into the ring if the British promoter wanted to turn their verbal exchange into something more physical.
“Listen, if Eddie wants to box, we can box.”
The comment came after White had already publicly criticized Hearn in recent days, previously escalating a competitive business rivalry between two influential figures who were in different corners of the combat sports world.
Pressed by host Piers Morgan about whether he really believed Hearn would accept such a challenge, White dismissed the idea that the Matchroom boss would take him up on the offer.
“I don’t think Eddie wants to box… Yeah, listen, I boxed earlier in the day with all the guys – boxers and UFC guys, I boxed.”
Morgan then directly asked if White would agree to the fight if Hearn accepted.
“Absolutely,” White replied.
While the challenge bore the tone of a typical promoter dispute, the tension between White and Hearn has real business roots. The conflict has been building since Zuffa confirmed plans to launch a new boxing league with support linked to Saudi Arabia, creating a potential rival structure to the established promoter-led system that currently dominates the sport.
For Hearn, whose Matchroom Boxing remains one of the most active promotional outfits in the sport, the arrival of a new well-funded rival inevitably raises questions about fighter recruitment, television rights and long-term control of the market.
White suggested the relationship between the two men was not always confrontational.
“This guy hasn’t shut up since the day I got into the sport. It’s crazy! Eddie and I had an affair and I literally didn’t see it coming and to be honest with you, I’m not going to mess with Eddie at all, you know, I liked him.”
The dispute escalated after Conor Benn became involved with the Zuffa Project, drawing criticism from Hearn and others within the boxing business.
White addressed that situation directly during the interview, arguing that Benn had every right to take advantage of the opportunity presented to him.
“The whole Conor Benn thing, apparently, they’re supposed to be very close, and Eddie’s supposed to be hurt by this and all of this. Eddie Hearn and his dad are incredibly rich and will be for the rest of their lives. Conor, who they care about, is going to make a good deal of money for him and his family if they’re to be happy or it’s to be for him. deal, which he could have done. He obviously has the money and he could have looked or beat it.”
White refused to confirm the reported figure attached to Benn’s deal with Zuffa, which was widely discussed as a deal worth around £15m for a single fight.
Instead, he explained the situation as a simple business decision made once contractual obligations were terminated.
“I also wouldn’t confuse business with the personal relationship … If there’s a guy under contract, don’t mess with him, when contracts are up and someone has the right to negotiate, all is fair.”
The comments underscore the broader tensions that have surfaced as Zuffa prepares to enter boxing in a serious way. White spent more than two decades transforming the UFC into the dominant organization in mixed martial arts. His attempt to replicate elements of that centralized structure within boxing represents a significant shift from the divided promoter-driven model that has existed for decades.
Boxing promoters operate independently, negotiating television deals and sanctioning matchups for each event. Zuffa’s model aims to centralize fighters under one organization, similar to the UFC structure in mixed martial arts.
White acknowledged that some figures in boxing have reacted strongly to the new project.
“I mean, all the sanctioning organizations are going crazy. Eddie Hearn has absolutely lost his mind.”
Despite the heated language, the dispute still appears to be rooted primarily in competitive positioning rather than personal animosity. White has repeatedly emphasized that his organization intends to only compete for fighters once their existing contracts expire.
At the same time, his public challenge to Hearn has ensured that the rivalry remains a talking point as Zuffa continues to prepare for his boxing launch.
For now, the suggestion that White and Hearn settle their disagreement in a ring remains more spectacle than reality. Both men run large organizations that rely on their leadership outside the ropes.
Still, White’s message during the interview left little doubt about his position.
If the conversation ever moves beyond words, he says he’ll be ready.
To watch the full interview tonight, go to https://www.youtube.com/
