Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn continued his rivalry with UFC CEO Dana White by predicting a tumultuous first year of Zuffa Boxing.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the UFC\u2019s return to action on Saturday with UFC 324, Zuffa Boxing will host its inaugural event on Friday night at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Dana White has his hands full this week as he balances Zuffa Boxing\u2019s official launch with the UFC\u2019s first event of 2026.<\/p>\n
As White kicks off his latest combat sports venture, many are skeptical that Zuffa Boxing will be able to have a significant impact in the sport, despite rumored negotiations with heavyweight great Oleksandr Usyk<\/a>. But White has big plans for Zuffa Boxing in 2026 and beyond.<\/p>\n In the meantime, Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is extremely skeptical about how White can be successful with Zuffa Boxing. He recently accused White of being at the center of another fighter pay controversy, citing \u2018how bad\u2019 Zuffa Boxing fighter pay allegedly is<\/a>.<\/p>\n While Hearn remains adamant that Zuffa Boxing competitors aren\u2019t making a lot of money, he believes UFC fighters will be up in arms over a pay discrepancy.<\/p>\n Eddie Hearn: Expect Dana White\u2019s UFC fighters to \u2018revolt\u2019 over Zuffa Boxing pay<\/p>\n In a recent interview with IFL TV<\/a>, Hearn made a striking prediction about White\u2019s first year leading Zuffa Boxing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cI think one of the really interesting things, when I look at the business, is gonna be how the UFC talent roster reacts to the amount of money these guys are paying fighters,\u201d Hearn said of White and Zuffa Boxing.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there will be a revolt from the UFC fighters, to be honest. Because I think they\u2019ll be thinking, \u2018Why are we making so much less than the boxers when the show, the business, and the revenue is so much higher?\u2019\u201d (h\/t Bloody Elbow<\/a>)<\/p>\n