Dana White dismisses Eddie Hearn's offer to meet over Fury vs. Joshua role dispute

Dana White brushed aside Eddie Hearn’s call for a meeting on Tuesday night, telling reporters after Contender Series that there was nothing to discuss and reaffirming his claim that he is fully involved in producing and promoting the Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua superfight.

The feud between the UFC president and the Matchroom Boxing promoter has simmered throughout 2026, centred on whether White has any legitimate role in the highly anticipated heavyweight bout. Hearn has consistently denied White’s involvement, and on Tuesday claimed that White had been contractually barred from attending the fight’s opening press conference. Hearn added that he would be open to White producing the show for Netflix, but only after the two met to work things out.

White rejected that framing outright. He explained his absence from the press conference by pointing out that he has not missed a Contender Series event in ten years, and that the press conference date itself was set around the schedule of Saudi official Turki Alalshikh. “There is absolutely zero confusion,” White said. “Everything that I have said since however long ago is true. Now he’s open to meeting with me — about what? What should we possibly meet about?”

When a reporter raised Hearn’s claim that White’s inclusion in the event would constitute a breach of contract, White was dismissive. “Sounds like he’s got an incredible lawsuit,” he said, before growing visibly frustrated with the entire saga.

“I am producing the fight. I am promoting the fight. I will be there at the fight,” White said. “And then I’m flying right back to Vegas for the UFC fight. And all of my producers and guys that run production will be flying with me. We already had the meeting. The meeting was yesterday.”

White also questioned why the dispute had consumed so much attention when the fight itself should be the story. “AJ and Fury are fighting. Those two are gonna make a f*ck-ton of money. The fight is finally happening. And everything that I have said about my involvement in the fight has been absolutely true.”

Despite the sharp words, both men appear to be tiring of the back-and-forth. Hearn has acknowledged the feud has dragged on longer than it should, and White’s exasperation was evident. “This is so f*cking silly now,” he said. “And the fact that you guys are even asking me these questions.”

What role, if any, White will officially hold when Fury and Joshua finally meet remains unresolved, though White shows no sign of stepping back from his claims.