Conor Benn has signed a promotional cope with Zuffa Boxing, parting methods with Matchroom Boxing after greater than a decade beneath Eddie Hearn’s banner. The 29‑12 months‑outdated British welterweight introduced the transfer on social media, marking one of many first main names to affix Zuffa Boxing as the brand new promotion builds out its roster beneath TKO Group Holdings.
Conor Benn ditches Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing in main shake‑up
Benn’s document now stands at 24 wins and 1 loss, with 14 stoppages, and he enters Zuffa coming off a pair of excessive‑profile clashes with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025, every successful a unanimous resolution in separate bouts. These conferences drew giant crowds and saved him on the business heart of British boxing, regardless that he has but to carry a acknowledged world title.
Zuffa Boxing, the brand new enterprise launched beneath the UFC/TKO umbrella, continues to be establishing itself within the sport and doesn’t but have its personal championship construction. Benn now turns into one of many promotion’s early headliners, alongside IBF and Ring Journal cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who signed with Zuffa within the previous weeks.
His relationship with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn
Benn’s complete skilled profession, all 25 fights, occurred beneath Matchroom, ranging from his debut in 2016. Hearn guided him by means of breakout stadium occasions and stood by him throughout severe setbacks, together with a 2022 failed drug check that delayed his first bout with Eubank Jr. and drew regulatory and public scrutiny.
In his public assertion, Benn thanked Hearn and Matchroom for his or her help by means of each “spotlight moments” and “robust occasions,” including that he would love Hearn to proceed in some capability as his staff evolves.
What Benn stated in his personal phrases
Benn’s announcement on X (previously Twitter) framed the swap round alternative and ambition, not acrimony. He wrote:
“Firstly, I need to thank Eddie and the complete staff at Matchroom for every little thing they’ve achieved for me over the previous decade. From guiding me once I first turned professional, to headlining stadium reveals. They had been with me for these spotlight moments and stood shoulder to shoulder with me throughout the robust occasions. It’s been a journey past something we may have imagined, and for his or her perception, help, and steering, I’ll all the time be really grateful.”
He then pivoted to his new chapter:
“However Zuffa Boxing offered me with a chance I merely couldn’t refuse. I’d love Eddie to proceed to be a part of my staff and for our partnership to evolve on this new chapter. I’m stuffed with pleasure and starvation for what’s forward with Zuffa Boxing. I would like the legacy fights, the most important nights, the most important phases. I concern no man at any weight, and I’m prepared to offer the followers the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and collectively now we have daring, formidable plans.”
Dana White’s view and what it means for boxing
Dana White, CEO and president of the UFC and one of many figures behind Zuffa Boxing, known as Benn’s signing a “enormous addition” and described him as an “absolute beast and a celebrity.” White stated Benn is “prepared for a world title subsequent” and expects to see him headline fights for the brand new promotion.
Phrases and period of Benn’s contract haven’t been disclosed, however the transfer alerts that Zuffa is prepared to focus on established, marketable names early in its existence. The deal additionally provides one other layer to the broader pressure between White and Hearn, after Zuffa’s launch and up to date public feedback from either side.
What’s subsequent for Benn
At 29 and in his athletic prime, Benn is being positioned as a centerpiece for Zuffa’s efforts to enter the welterweight and middleweight markets. Earlier than his cut up with Matchroom, he had expressed curiosity in title‑degree fights, together with potential bouts with names like Rolando Romero, the winner of the Mario Barrios–Ryan Garcia welterweight conflict, and even Shakur Stevenson.
With Zuffa Boxing, Benn is successfully betting that the UFC‑linked construction can ship the “largest nights, the most important phases” he cited, whereas nonetheless retaining one foot within the ecosystem he constructed with Hearn. Whether or not that gamble pays off in titles and paydays will depend upon how rapidly Zuffa can lock in excessive‑degree opponents and safe TV and streaming home windows.
