Dana White hands Eddie Hearn major blow as Zuffa snatch British fighter from Matchroom

Dana White and Eddie Hearn’s feud looks set to continue after Zuffa Boxing signed a British fighter from under Matchroom Boxing’s noses.

Since Conor Benn went behind Hearn’s back by signing with White-backed Zuffa, the promoters have engaged in a feud.

While White, Saudi Arabia’s Turki Alalshikh, TKO Group Holdings and Sela continue to grow Zuffa’s roster as they look to take over the sport of boxing by signing some of the most talented fighters, Hearn has also entered the world of MMA by launching the Matchroom Talent Agency.

The agency recently announced the signings of UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, as well as Ian Machado Garry, with the company managing their brands and reputations, as well as overseeing commercial and business decisions outside the Octagon.

As well as the controversial signing of Benn, Zuffa announced they had signed four-division world champion Shakur Stevenson last weekend, with the pair linked with fighting each other.

Former two-time IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who also previously worked with Matchroom, signed with Zuffa earlier in 2026.

And on Monday (July 13), it was announced that Zuffa had signed yet another fighter previously associated with Hearn’s Matchroom.

British heavyweight and fan favourite Johnny Fisher has signed with Zuffa and will box in London on September 26 on the Zuffa Boxing 11 card, with his opponent yet to be announced.

The “Romford Bull” boasts an impressive professional record of 14 wins from his 15 bouts, with his sole defeat coming against his compatriot David Allen in May 2025.

Fisher previously worked with Matchroom Boxing after joining them in 2021, but recently admitted he had received a lucrative offer from Zuffa worth “six or seven times” more than the deal he had in place with Hearn and Matchroom.

Hearn responded by claiming he wouldn’t have matched Zuffa’s offer even if the promotion had tabled half the amount they did.

Speaking to IFL TV in June, Hearn said: “It’s over six times what I would pay [Fisher to fight] that opponent.

“If Zuffa offered half the money [they offered Fisher], we wouldn’t have matched it. Good luck, mate, go and sign it. I’m actually pleased for Johnny.”

Johnny Fisher’s first words as Zuffa fighter

Now, after being announced as Zuffa’s latest signing, Fisher said: “The most exciting chapter of my professional career begins.

“Thank you to Dana White, Nick Khan and the Zuffa Boxing team for this opportunity.

“Everything has led to this point. Bull Army, get ready to assemble. Bosh!”

In a separate interview with Sky Sports, he explained the motivations behind the move, aside from a lucrative payday.

“I'm really excited to be on the platform that is Sky Sports,” he added.

“That was the first thing that came to my mind. That is the home of football, the home of all sports in the UK, and I want to be part of that massive platform,” Fisher said.

“I want to take my career to the next level and I think this is the place to be.

“I can bring blood and guts, I can bring war and I can bring tear-ups to your Saturday nights. There's an appetite for it. Everyone loves heavyweight boxing and I go in there to seek and destroy – and there's a big chance I could be sought and destroyed as well. That's exciting for people to watch.”