Overview
- Hearn told Ariel Helwani that UK outlets were given approved questions and asked to submit interviews for review before publication.
- Dana White has long cast himself as pro–free speech, a stance commentators like Luke Thomas said is tested by Hearn’s media-control allegation.
- The rivalry intensified after Zuffa Boxing signed Jai Opetaia and Conor Benn to lucrative deals, with Benn widely reported at roughly $10–$15 million for one fight.
- Hearn said he reviewed Tom Aspinall’s UFC contract and was stunned by the champion’s pay, comparing it unfavorably to boxing purses at venues like York Hall.
- Sean O’Malley warned Aspinall that aligning with Hearn could create friction with UFC leadership, as White also floated boxing Hearn at the UFC Apex.