Tim Bradley Links Devin Haney to Possible Zuffa Boxing Move


Will Arons - 04/22/2026 - Comments

Bradley points to Bill Haney tease and Conor Benn deal as talks around Zuffa continue

Tim Bradley says he believes Devin Haney could be headed to Zuffa Boxing following a teased announcement from his father, Bill Haney. Bradley linked the possibility to recent signings, including Conor Benn’s deal.

“Bill said he got a big announcement. I assume he’s signing with Zuffa,” Bradley said on his YouTube channel.

“Everyone’s seeing what Conor Benn got now. It’s like, can I get something like that?”

The appeal of Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing lies in its potential to solve the exact problem Haney faced with the Rolly negotiations. Zuffa has shown a willingness to provide massive guarantees, as evidenced by Benn’s reported $15 million deal.

This would allow Haney to bypass the gamble that traditional promoters like Matchroom or PBC are currently hesitant to take.

Under the TKO banner, Zuffa has the marketing infrastructure to build a fighter’s brand across different audiences, potentially helping Haney overcome the cache issues that stalled the Rolly fight.

In a Zuffa model, the organization absorbs the risk of a PPV underperforming, which aligns perfectly with Bill Haney’s desire for business security.

It is unclear if signing with Zuffa would truly solve Haney’s popularity problem. While the organization provides the money, the fighter still needs to resonate with the public to justify long-term investment.

Bradley’s assessment focuses on the financial attraction, but Haney’s future depends on whether a new platform can turn him into a genuine draw or if he will simply remain an elite talent with a high price tag.

“It’s hard to survive in this sport without a promoter. You got to have somebody to back you, somebody that’s going to put up money,” Bradley said.

Rather than focusing only on possible opponents, the discussion now includes guaranteed investment and long-term support. If Bill Haney is right, Devin would represent another major addition to Zuffa.

If Zuffa operates like the UFC, where the “entertainment” factor and a “finish the fight” mentality are paramount, Haney’s safety-first approach creates a significant branding problem.

Haney’s recent performances against Brian Norman Jr. and Jose Ramirez reinforced the narrative that his style is more focused on neutralizing opponents than engaging them. For a company like Zuffa, which is built on the high energy and aggressive marketing of the TKO brand, a fighter who relies heavily on holding and moving might be a difficult sell to a crossover audience.

Zuffa is likely looking for “appointment television.” Haney’s tactical mastery is undeniable, but it rarely produces the highlight reels that drive social media growth and casual fan interest.

In a sport where marketability is tied to excitement, being labeled “boring” is a financial anchor. It’s exactly why the Rolly fight fell apart; promoters weren’t willing to guarantee money for a fight they feared would put the audience to sleep.

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Last Updated on 2026/04/23 at 12:57 AM