It’s hard to argue against the heights the UFC has reached under Dana White’s leadership. And with the company’s parent entity, TKO Group Holdings, soaring to an expected $2.74 billion in revenue for 2024, it’s even harder to deny its dominance. But could there be something else we’re missing? Eddie Hearn certainly thinks so.
The UFC, alongside WWE, has been breaking financial records, expanding its reach, and cementing itself as a powerhouse in the sports entertainment industry. But while White and TKO executives celebrate another year of explosive growth, Hearn has a different take. According to him, the real action isn’t in the Octagon, it’s in the squared circle!
Eddie Hearn is not impressed with the UFC and Dana White’s surge as he believes “boxing is hotter”
During an appearance on ‘The Ariel Helwani Show’, Eddie Hearn wasn’t just throwing empty words. Referring to Helwani’s previous comments, the Matchroom Sport boss shared, “I saw your comment, Ariel, where you said, right now, when you talk about boxing and MMA, where’s the narrative? Where are the big events? Who’s talking about what? Boxing’s just gone like that.”
The veteran journalist admitted that he had received a lot of backlash for his comments about the ‘sweet science’ and its perceived decline. But according to Hearn, “It’s true. For a long time, the hype has been around MMA, around UFC, and it continues to be, by the way. It’s an amazing business, an amazing product, but you cannot deny right now, boxing is hotter.”
A bold claim, indeed. So, why does the renowned boxing promoter feel that the tides have shifted? He further explained, “And everybody’s talking about it and we’re getting all the big fights, all the big cards, all the promoters are trying harder than ever to try and bridge the gap between themselves and Riyadh Season which is very difficult to do but it’s just an amazing time for boxing.”
Hearn’s confidence isn’t unfounded. Boxing enjoyed a massive resurgence in 2024, driven by superfights, cross-promotional efforts, and the rise of Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Season events. Big names like Tyson Fury, Oleksandr Usyk, Anthony Joshua, and even former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou have all headlined marquee bouts that dominated the headlines.
As such, Eddie Hearn’s remarks highlight the shift in the sport that had long been seen as stagnant by the fans because of a lack of interesting fights. But is there something that boxing does better than the UFC? According to Dana White, there’s still much for fighters in the Octagon to learn from boxers!
White reveals “one thing” boxing has over the UFC in a stunning confession
The UFC and boxing fall under the combat sports umbrella, but their training philosophies couldn’t be more different. And if you ask Dana White, that difference is clear as day. Ahead of his UFC 312 title defense against Sean Strickland, the champion Dricus Du Plessis landed in Australia more than two weeks before the fight day. The reason? To acclimate, to prepare, to leave nothing to chance.
As such, speaking in an interview with Mark Bouris, the UFC boss shared, “I think that’s one of the things that boxing has over us. Because we had such humble beginnings and we’re only 30 years old as a sport. These guys don’t do the things that boxers do.”
White admitted that boxing has always been ahead when it comes to fighter preparation and structure. He further explained, “When you were a boxer at that level making that kind of money and you were the main event, the camp was built all around you, you had your own camp, your own training partners. You would get into a place early to acclimate, whether it’s to altitude or time differences or temperature or humidity, all these different things play a factor in the fight.”
So, where does this leave the battle between boxing and the UFC? Financially, the UFC is an unstoppable juggernaut, raking in record-breaking revenue under TKO. But if you ask Eddie Hearn, boxing’s resurgence isn’t just about numbers, it’s about momentum. With the big fights, the star power, and the global spectacle, boxing has seemingly found its rhythm again.
Yet, Dana White isn’t blind to what boxing does better. From fighter preparation to structured training camps, the UFC still has lessons to learn from its older, more established rival. But does that mean boxing has surpassed MMA at the moment? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below!
The post Dana White & UFC’s $2.7 Billion Revenue Gets Downplayed as Eddie Hearn Delivers a Blow From Boxing appeared first on EssentiallySports.