UFC CEO Dana White entered his new boxing venture, Zuffa Boxing, a joint venture between TKO Group Holdings and the Saudi-backed entertainment company Sela. To change traditional boxing, they have vowed to make it a centralized league-style format, just like UFC.
With recent signings of Conor Benn and Jai Opetaia, Zuffa has already generated significant attention within combat sports.
Now, Frank Warren has shared his thoughts on the emergence of Zuffa Boxing he offered a measured response.
However, Warren made it clear that he views it as just another entrant in a sport that has seen many come and go.
Warren sees Zuffa Boxing as another competitor
Speaking with combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani, Warren was asked about his thoughts on Zuffa. He downplayed the immediate impact of the new promotion and suggested that boxing has always attracted new players.
“Truth is, I don’t feel anything about it,” Warren said. “It’s another competitor, another group involved in boxing.”
He pointed out that over the years, several organizations have entered the sport, but only a few have sustained long-term success.
“I’ve seen people come in and go. I’ve seen some people come in and stay, but most of them… it’s whether you last the course.”
According to Warren, the real test for Zuffa Boxing will not be its financial backing but the quality of events it delivers.
“It’s all about the quality and the fights that you put on… it’s the public who buy the tickets and view the fights.”
Warren believes financial backing gives Zuffa Boxing a chance
While Warren remained neutral in tone, he acknowledged that the new venture has strong financial support, which could help it establish itself.
“They’ve got plenty of money behind them. They’ve got a big company behind them,” he said.
That backing, combined with the UFC’s promotional experience, could allow Zuffa Boxing to compete at a high level if it delivers compelling matchups.
Zuffa Boxing has held multiple cards in early 2026, predominantly at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas. Their upcoming event, Zuffa 06, is scheduled to air on May 10, headlined by a middleweight bout: Shane Mosley Jr. vs. Serhii Bohachuk.
Recently, the promotion announced it’s expanding internationally with its first UK card with Zuffa Boxing 07, scheduled for Bournemouth in June, headlined by Chris Billiam-Smith vs. Ryan Rozicki.
Zuffa Boxing’s success will depend on execution rather than hype, as Warren said. While the financial backing and promotional experience are strong, the promotion will still need to prove itself over time.
As boxing continues to evolve, the arrival of new competition could reshape the industry. However, as Warren pointed out, only those who consistently deliver high-quality fights will endure.