Former UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt has publicly criticized Dana White, drawing parallels between the UFC president and controversial boxing promoter Don King. Hunt expressed disappointment with Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia’s recent signing with White’s new Zuffa Boxing venture, suggesting that the arrangement mirrors practices that he believes exploit fighters.
Hunt’s criticism of White’s treatment of fighters is stark. “Dana White is like Don King,” he stated, emphasizing that White has a history of not fairly compensating UFC fighters. He elaborated, “He’s done the same thing to every fighter in UFC, and then everyone that’s gone against him, he’s gone and spoken badly about them.” This accusation suggests that Hunt perceives White’s business tactics as prioritizing profit over fair treatment of athletes.
Hunt questioned the integrity of UFC championships, implying that they lack real value in the broader context of sports. “How is he going to save boxing?” Hunt asked, pointing out that UFC fighters historically receive a low percentage of revenue compared to other major sports leagues. Data has indicated that fighters earned roughly 13-20% of event revenues from 2010 to 2017, significantly less than the 48-50% seen in other professional sports.
Further, Hunt raised alarms regarding changes to the Muhammad Ali Act, legislation aimed at protecting boxers from exploitative practices. He criticized proposals that would undermine the act, arguing that they threaten fighter transparency and welfare. The California State Athletic Commission has already indicated support for new legislation linked to Zuffa Boxing.
Regarding Opetaia’s decision to partner with Zuffa Boxing, Hunt conveyed his disappointment, acknowledging that it ultimately remains Opetaia’s career choice. The undefeated IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion, Opetaia announced his deal with Zuffa Boxing on January 17, 2026.
Hunt also expressed severe concerns about Dana White’s Power Slap competition, which began in November 2022. He highlighted the potential for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) among participants, supported by recent research that showed a high prevalence of concussive signs in slap fighting matches. “Who looks out for these so-called slap fighter athletes when they’re done with their sport or when they’re done with them?” Hunt questioned, pressing for greater accountability in safeguarding athlete welfare.
As a highly regarded figure in combat sports, Hunt’s critiques draw on his extensive experience, including his success in K-1 and PRIDE. His profound concerns echo larger calls for reform in fighter treatment and the transparency of promotions in combat sports.
Zuffa Boxing, having hosted its first event on January 23, 2026, is designed as a collaborative effort between TKO Group Holdings and Saudi Arabia’s Sela, with a financial model aimed at minimizing risk exposure for TKO. Opetaia is set to defend his titles on March 8, 2026, indicating a promising yet contentious future for Zuffa Boxing amid ongoing debates about fighter rights and welfare.