Ben Whittaker’s Zuffa Appeal Depends on His Results

Whittaker’s comments have generated promotional intrigue before his October 3 fight against Conor Wallace in Birmingham. However, Hearn’s account leaves little room for the idea that the light heavyweight is about to become a free agent.

“He’s not even 1 year into a 3-year deal,” Hearn told The FightWire , in comments shared by EverythingBoxing. “But what he does do is create great headlines. Sometimes I’m like, ‘Mate [what are you playing at?].’ It made me laugh that people thought Dana White might be coming to the show on Saturday. He didn’t even come to the AJ-Fury presser.”

That timeline changes how Whittaker’s flirtation with White should be read. Mentioning another promoter can create attention and encourage discussion about a fighter’s earning potential. It does not establish that he is available to sign elsewhere.