Benn exits Matchroom, signs with Zuffa Boxing

2GGWNCE Conor Benn during the weigh-in at the New Dock Hall, Leeds. Picture date: Friday September 3, 2021.

Conor Benn has signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing, the new promotion launched by UFC president Dana White and backed by Saudi investors.

The 29-year-old British welterweight, holding a 24-1 record with 14 knockouts, parts ways with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing after a decade-long run that saw him rise from prospect to headliner.

The move, which was announced on Friday, is a high-value one-fight agreement reported at eight figures, leaving Benn free to explore options post-debut.

Benn joined Matchroom in 2016, building his name through gritty wins and a family legacy as the son of two-division champion Nigel Benn.

Legal issues from 2022 drug test failures paused his ascent, but clearances in 2023 saw him return, including a pair of blockbuster clashes with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025. Their first fight in April ended in a loss for Benn, ESPN’s Fight of the Year, after a savage war.

He bounced back with a unanimous decision victory in November at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, drawing 60,000 fans and proving his commercial pull.

Eddie Hearn voiced pain over the split, calling it a “dagger in the heart” since no new long-term deal was on the table and he received no advance notice. He said he was asked to be part of Benn’s new team, but doesn’t know how he would fit in.

Benn showed gratitude regardless: “They were not only with me for those highlight moments but stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times,” referencing the period he was away from the sport.

Zuffa Boxing enters the boxing scene with a promise of streamlined cards and global reach via ESPN and PPV platforms.

Benn fits their aggressive mould, relentless pressure, sharp counters, and knockout power in a stacked 147-pound division. He now targets WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia for a mandatory, aiming for September.

A trilogy with Eubank at super welterweight also appeals, as Benn chases pound-for-pound status.

The reaction of fans and critics to the news has been mixed, with some hailing the move, while others, including Eddie Hearn’s father, Barry, are regarding it as a sign of disloyalty.