Zuffa Boxing has made another significant addition to its roster with the signing of British welterweight fighter Conor Benn. Details about the length and terms of the contract were not readily available.
Zuffa boxing announced the signing on social media on Friday, and Benn expressed his “excitement” about the deal in a statement shortly thereafter.
“I am full of excitement and hunger for what lies ahead for Zuffa Boxing,” Benn said. “I want legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I’m not afraid of anyone regardless of weight and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been asking for. I’m in great shape and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Dana White, one of the founders of Zuffa Boxing and the CEO and president of the UFC, called the signing of Benn a “huge addition.”
“Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,” White said in a statement. “He shows up every time and destroys people and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling on him. He is ready for another world title and I can’t wait to see him compete at Zuffa Boxing. He will be a huge addition to the growing stable of very talented boxers.”
Benn previously worked in Matchroom promotions. Eddie Hearn, Matchroom’s chief executive, told iFL TV he blamed himself for Benn’s departure.
“I blame myself because I forgot it was boxing. I just felt like the loyalty we showed would never, ever put us in that situation,” Hearn said. “And I just felt like I’ve never actually had to get Conor Benn to sign a fresh contract before. I probably could have gotten him to sign a fresh contract before. And like I said, I blame myself. I made a mistake because I misjudged the character.”
“But when I got the email from his lawyer, I texted him and said, ‘I think we should call. I think after everything I’ve done for you… I deserve a call.’ And he said, ‘No.’
Mark Shapiro, president of TKO Group, during a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, mentioned that Zuffa Boxing enters into international agreements, and signing a contract with Benn would mean a significant move in this market.
Benn (24-1, 14 KO) is the latest addition to Zuffa Boxing, joining IBF cruiserweight champion Jai Opetai, who signed with the promotion last month.
Conor is the son of former two-division world boxing champion Nigel Benn and will take a one-sided unanimous decision victory over Chris Eubank Jr in the middleweight division in November. Benn lost the first match against Eubank Jr. in April, which was named the 2025 Fight of the Year by ESPN.