Eddie Hearn calls Turki Alalshikh Dana White’s ‘papi’ in latest joke between rival boxing promoters

Dana White’s journey into boxing has only lasted a few months, and he’s already become a fitting rival in Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.

White and Zuffa Boxing have set up three events in 2026 as the UFC kingpin’s latest martial arts escapade takes shape. 29-0 Jai Opetaia will face Brandon Glanton for the inaugural Zuffa cruiserweight world championship on March 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Just a few events into his boxing promotion, White has a fiery critic in Hearn, who has repeatedly criticized Zuffa Boxing in recent weeks. White recently fired back at Hearn, claiming he was “working for his father” and questioning his business acumen.

It didn’t take long for Hearn to notice.

The feud between boxing promoter Eddie Hearn and Dana White continues

In a recent interview with Charlie ParsonsHearn responded to White’s head-scratching comments.

“The reality is yes, I work for my dad,” Hearn said of White.

“But guess what? Dana White worked for his father for a long time. The Fertitta brothers, that’s what he worked for. Right now, Dana White has a new father and his name is Turki Alalshikh. Turki Alalshikh is Dana White’s papi.”

“He has to do what he is told, because he works for TKO [Group Holdings]which is owned by SELA and the Saudis and Turki Alalshikh.” (h/t MMA fighting)

Hearn points to White’s past business dealings with Turki Alalshikh, the head of Riyadh Season, which co-promoted Canelo Alvarez against Terence Crawford last year. Crawford won the fight before announcing his retirement in the weeks following the event.

While White and Hearn appear to have mutual respect for their achievements, they are not afraid to be in the public eye. Meanwhile, tensions continue to rise between two colorful martial arts characters.