UFC CEO Dana White stated clearly that the ongoing promotional disputes and public friction surrounding the anticipated heavyweight bout between Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua stem entirely from promoter egos. Despite recent back-and-forth tensions, White insisted that the scheduled December 11 match at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales, remains a finalized, done deal.
White addressed reporters following a Contender Series event to clarify his active involvement in the promotion alongside fight financier Turki Alalshikh and Netflix. Tensions escalated sharply in recent weeks after Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, publicly opposed White’s promotional role, claiming that existing contracts restricted Zuffa Boxing from participating.
Dismissing the ongoing noise and uncertainty, White maintained that his position in the negotiations is fully secured. “There’s no confusion whatsoever,” White told reporters. “I mean, if you look at everything from the network to the guy who’s actually f*ing paying for it and to me saying what I’ve said – I’ve been saying it now it feels like for f*ing years, but it’s probably been weeks, but I’ve been saying the same thing. It’s happening, it’s done. It’s a done deal.”
The Root of the Dispute: Ego Over Business
When questioned about why there has been continuous hesitation and public pushback regarding his inclusion as a co-promoter, White did not hold back. He pointed directly to the behavior of rival promoters in the United Kingdom, specifically targeting Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn.
“This isn’t a hesitation; this is an ego thing,” White stated. “Total ego thing. It has nothing to do with any of this sh*t. And listen, boxing has taken a hit in the United States. It’s not as big as it was here 20 years ago. It has become a very British sport, and all the sh*t that you’re hearing – the crying and the b*tching and whatever the f*ck – is coming from the U.K. I’m having fun, man. This is right up my alley.”
The feud between White and Hearn has intensified over the past year, stretching from fighter signings to promotional rights. While Hearn has maintained that contractual language prevents White from sharing promotional duties on Netflix, White has remained defiant, questioning who exactly has the authority to stop his involvement.
Fighters Weigh In on the Promotional Drama
Tyson Fury also offered his perspective on the situation, revealing that he actively worked behind the scenes to clear the path for White’s involvement. According to Fury, promotional restrictions that initially targeted TKO and Dana White were intentionally removed from his side of the agreement to ensure the blockbuster fight could proceed with maximum commercial backing.
“In Joshua’s contract, apparently, it says that TKO and Dana couldn’t be involved, but that was in mine – but I took it out,” Fury explained. “I took it out so he could be involved. F*ck ’em. Yeah, I want him involved. Two baldies together. I like Dana. Good businessman and a good guy.”
Despite the public sparring between promoters, the foundational details for the December 11 card in Cardiff are locked in. Both fighters continue to prepare for the ring, while the promotional teams navigate the final operational hurdles ahead of the official kickoff press conferences.
