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“Like Dream for Me”: Eddie Hearn Lauds Dana White While Being in Awe of UFC’s Training Facility After Recent Visit

Published Jan 31, 2024 | 1:39 PM EST

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In the fiercely competitive world of combat sports, an unusual alliance brews in the neon-lit streets of Las Vegas. Eddie Hearn, a titan of boxing promotion, steps into a realm ruled by mixed martial arts. Why is Hearn, the man behind Matchroom Boxing, singing praises of the UFC’s training facilities?

What did Dana White, the UFC’s formidable president, offer that left Hearn in awe? As Hearn navigates the UFC Performance Institute, his words reveal more than just admiration. As he promotes the upcoming Conor BennPeter Dobson fight, his glowing review of the UFC raises questions.

Eddie Hearn’s eye-opening Vegas trip

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Eddie Hearn’s recent visit to the UFC Performance Institute has stirred more than just the dust of the Nevada desert. In an interview with IFL TV, the Matchroom Boxing promoter didn’t hold back his admiration. “When credit is due, credit is due,” Hearn declared, undeterred by any critics. His words, unfiltered and genuine, reflect a deep appreciation: “The UFC is unbelievable.”

Hearn marveled at the facility. “That is like the dream for me to have a facility like that for boxing on my team. It is unbelievable, like incredible,” remarked the British promoter. This encounter isn’t the first brush between Hearn and the world of the UFC.

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Back in 2019, Dana White, the UFC’s tenacious president, extended an invitation to Hearn for a tour of the same facility. This gesture laid the foundation for a relationship that transcends the traditional barriers between boxing and mixed martial arts. Hearn’s subsequent appreciation, “Thank you to Dana White for letting myself but more importantly the boys use it this week in Vegas,” signifies not just a personal acknowledgment but a nod towards a growing camaraderie between two seemingly rival sports.

This respect bridges the gap between boxing and MMA, suggesting a future where collaboration might overtake competition. As Eddie Hearn’s fighters train at the UFC gym amid the upcoming Conor Benn fight, Hearn spoke about Benn’s future fights in the UK.

Hearn eyes big matchups for Conor Benn post-Las Vegas fight

Conor Benn’s aspirations for high-profile bouts in his homeland are palpable. Following Benn’s upcoming Las Vegas fight against Peter Dobson, Hearn has his sights set on lucrative matchups. Hearn expressed his perplexity over Chris Eubank Jr’s reluctance to fight Benn: “It still baffles me that Chris Eubank did not take that fight against a guy that is two divisions lower than him,” he said, alluding to a significant potential payday.

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If a bout with Eubank Jr. falls through, Hearn mentioned alternatives: “Kell Brook, Liam Smith, two fights that I love in the UK.” These plans underline Hearn’s commitment to elevating Benn’s status, both stateside and in the UK.

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Will the UK audience witness Benn’s ascent to boxing stardom on their soil soon, and who will rise to meet him in the ring next? What are your thoughts on the potential matchups and Benn’s future in boxing?

Watch this story: Teofimo Lopez Warns Eddie Hearn of DAZN’s Inevitable Collapse

Written by:

Mrinal Mishra

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"Boxing is the ultimate challenge. There's nothing that can compare to testing yourself the way you do every time you step in the ring," said Sugar Ray Leonard. Growing up engrossed in sports, it was the compelling narrative of the Mike Tyson documentary that first pulled me into the magnetic world of boxing.
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Edited by:

Gokul Pillai