Dana White’s burgeoning boxing promotion, Zuffa Boxing, faces significant challenges as it tries to establish itself in a competitive market. The promotion’s struggles have been compounded by recent developments involving key fighters, event scheduling uncertainties, and ongoing tensions within the broader combat sports industry.

Former IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who was stripped of his title amid disputes with the IBF, has only participated in two Zuffa bouts—against Noel Mikaelian and Brandon Glanton—falling short of his aspiration for a high-profile fight with David Benavidez. Benavidez, meanwhile, obtained a bout against García, but the match ended with a damaging loss that has reportedly impacted his marketability. Another notable talent, Devin Stevenson, left Zuffa voluntarily after a defeat by Teofimo López, who dominated the matchup.

Looking ahead, Zuffa Boxing 12 is set for November 7 at London’s Copper Box Arena. The main event will feature Chris Billam-Smith in his second headline fight for the promotion, matched against Cheavon Clarke. While Billam-Smith is well-regarded as an exciting competitor, analysts anticipate a solid but unspectacular event. Further plans for Zuffa Boxing 13 include the anticipated debut of Carlos Adames against Welsh fighter Gerome Warburton, though this fight, too, is not expected to generate widespread enthusiasm. Beyond these events, no additional dates have been publicly announced.

A major focal point for Zuffa owner Dana White remains securing promotional rights for the highly anticipated Tyson Fury vs. Anthony Joshua fight. However, Eddie Hearn, Joshua’s promoter, has consistently maintained that White will not be involved, citing contractual restrictions. This ongoing dispute highlights the challenges Zuffa faces in gaining traction within the traditional boxing hierarchy.

Adding to the organizational pressure, Zuffa’s parent entity, TKO Group Holdings, is advancing the Muhammad Ali American Boxing Revival Act. This legislation, which appears set to pass, is designed to support the growth of boxing in the United States but has drawn criticism from detractors who argue it could grant Zuffa near-monopoly control over the sport, likened to the dominance UFC holds in mixed martial arts.

Meanwhile, White’s intense focus on Zuffa and his conflict with Hearn may be affecting his involvement in UFC operations. Observers have noted instances of White displaying gaps in his MMA knowledge, such as incorrectly referencing fighter credentials during promotions. Concurrently, UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland has publicly expressed his desire to leave the UFC and pursue boxing. Strickland’s remarks have spotlighted the considerable pay gap between MMA and boxing, intensifying broader discussions on fighter compensation.

Despite these hurdles, Zuffa has achieved modest success as a new promotion. Much of the criticism has centered on White’s public statements and expectations, which at times have appeared disconnected from the promotion’s current capacity. Whether Zuffa will overcome these obstacles and gain sustainable momentum remains to be seen, particularly as it approaches critical junctures before the end of 2026.