Conor Benn Departs Matchroom for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing in $15M Deal
Boxer Conor Benn has signed an eight-figure, one-fight agreement with Zuffa Boxing, a promotional company launched by Dana White, marking his departure from Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing after a decade. The deal, reportedly worth $15 million, is financed by SELA, a Saudi Arabia-led entertainment company. This move comes amidst ongoing public exchanges between White and Hearn regarding boxing promotions.
Transition to Zuffa Boxing
Conor Benn, 29, concluded his long-standing affiliation with Matchroom Boxing, where he had been since his professional debut. His move to Zuffa Boxing, which officially launched in January, was announced on a Friday and follows his recent victory against Chris Eubank Jr. The rematch took place in November, subsequent to an earlier loss in April. Benn was a free agent when he signed the agreement, an effort spearheaded by UFC CEO Dana White and WWE President Nick Khan.
Financial Structure and Key Players
The agreement for Benn is a single-fight deal, separate from Zuffa Boxing's regular series, intended for a major, marquee event. TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of UFC and Zuffa Boxing, clarified that it is not financially responsible for Benn's reported purse. Instead, the funding is provided by SELA, an organization led by Turki Alalshikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority.
Under this arrangement, SELA covers all event costs and pays Zuffa Boxing a fee, typically $10 million per event, for organization and promotion. Zuffa Boxing previously acted as the promoter for the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight in September, which was also funded by SELA and aired on Netflix, attracting over 40 million viewers. TKO Group Holdings, in partnership with SELA, plans to stage approximately two to four superfights annually, with Benn's anticipated fight in 2026 being one such event.
Conor Benn's Perspective
In a public statement, Benn expressed enthusiasm for his new partnership with Zuffa Boxing. He also conveyed appreciation for Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom team, acknowledging their support over the past decade, from his professional debut to headlining major events, and their steadfastness during challenging periods. Benn indicated that Zuffa Boxing presented a compelling opportunity. He also stated a desire for Hearn to potentially continue as part of his team in this new chapter and articulated a goal to participate in major legacy fights on prominent stages.
Promoter Reactions and Exchanges
The signing has been a subject of public commentary from both Dana White and Eddie Hearn.
Dana White's Statements:
Following the announcement, White commented on the signing during a UFC press conference. He asserted that Hearn had the opportunity to retain Benn but did not match the offer. White stated that Hearn had the right to match the offer for Benn but failed to do so. He dismissed Hearn's account of receiving notification from Benn's lawyer and being denied contact with Benn as "a crock of shit." White also referred to Hearn as "a p*ssy" during the press conference.
Eddie Hearn's Response:
Hearn expressed disappointment, stating he believed he should have received a call directly from Benn regarding the change, which he said was not granted. He indicated that he perceives a difference in approach between himself and figures like Dana White, suggesting White and similar promoters do not show emotion regarding fighters' successes or losses. Hearn countered by stating he experiences emotion when his fighters succeed or when an athlete like Benn leaves, citing their long-standing relationship. He acknowledged feeling "betrayed" but also stated he has not been dwelling on it. Hearn maintained that showing hurt does not equate to being weak and viewed White's discussion of him at a UFC press conference as beneficial for building his profile. He also stated he has no issues with Turki Alalshikh.
Background
Benn's professional career began with Matchroom Boxing. A planned 2022 fight between Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. was canceled after Benn tested positive twice for the banned substance Clomifene in voluntary drug tests. His suspension related to this incident was lifted in November 2024.