It’s official: the boxing world has been shaken to its core as Conor Benn, one of Britain’s brightest welterweight stars and the son of legendary fighter Nigel Benn, has signed with Zuffa Boxing, the ambitious new outfit helmed by UFC boss Dana White. The announcement, made on February 20, 2026, signals not just a seismic shift in Benn’s career but a dramatic escalation in the ongoing rivalry between White and longtime boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
Benn’s move comes after a decade under the Matchroom Boxing banner, where he was guided by Eddie Hearn from his 2016 debut all the way to headlining major events. During this period, Benn built a record of 24-1, with his only professional defeat coming against Chris Eubank Jr. at middleweight—a division above his natural class—before avenging that loss in a dramatic rematch in November 2025. That victory over Eubank Jr. was widely considered the biggest win of Benn’s career, cementing his status as a fighter who could thrill and frustrate fans in equal measure.
But as the dust settles on this blockbuster signing, the story is about much more than just a change of promoter. The deal itself is reportedly a one-fight agreement worth eight figures, making it one of the most lucrative contracts in recent boxing history. According to those close to the negotiations, Benn will be a free agent again following his Zuffa debut, a move that keeps his options open and hints at a shrewd business strategy amid the sport’s ever-shifting landscape.
For Benn, the switch represents both a new chapter and a chance to chase legacy-defining fights. “I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing,” Benn declared in the official press release. “I want the legacy fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man at any weight, and I’m ready to give the fans the fights they’ve been calling for. I’m in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Dana White, never one to shy away from a bold statement, was equally effusive in his praise for his new marquee signing. “Conor Benn is an absolute beast and a superstar,” White said. “He shows up every time and destroys people, and now some of the best fighters in the world are calling him out. He’s ready for a world title next, and I can’t wait to see him compete in Zuffa Boxing. He’s going to be a huge addition to a growing stable of very talented boxers.”
Zuffa Boxing, launched earlier in 2026, has wasted no time in making waves. White has already introduced a new championship belt, dismissed nine of boxing’s seventeen recognized weight classes to streamline competition, and signed cruiserweight sensation Jai Opetaia, who boasts a perfect 29-0 record. The addition of Benn, however, is seen as the promotion’s biggest coup yet—a direct shot at Hearn and a statement of intent to the entire sport.
The move has, unsurprisingly, left Eddie Hearn reeling. Speaking to IFL TV, Hearn didn’t hide his disappointment. “I’ve known about this for a few days now. I received an email from Conor Benn’s lawyer to make me aware of it. I’m not going to sit here and hang Conor Benn out to dry, I’ll be honest with you, me personally, pretty devastated,” Hearn admitted. “I’ve had a few days to digest what might happen. Maybe this interview is different to what it would have been a couple of days ago, it’s not often you get shocked, I blame myself, because I forgot it was boxing.”
Hearn went on to reflect on his decade-long partnership with Benn, expressing regret over not pushing for a new contract sooner. “I just felt that the loyalty that we’ve shown would never ever put us in this position. I felt I never really needed to push Conor Benn to sign a new contract previously and I probably could have done. I blame myself, I made a mistake. I misjudged the character.”
In a further twist, Hearn revealed that he reached out to Benn directly to discuss the move, but the British fighter declined to talk. “I can’t believe it, I don’t know what to say other than I felt everything that we gave him, the loyalty that we gave him, the support we gave him would be enough to talk it through or get close to a number but there wasn’t the interest. Very surprising, very painful, but another moment in life you live and learn from.”
Benn, for his part, has gone out of his way to thank Hearn and the Matchroom team, acknowledging their support during both the highs and the lows—including a turbulent period in 2022 when he failed two drug tests and was sidelined from British boxing for nearly three years. His eventual return to the UK scene in late 2024 and his subsequent grudge matches with Eubank Jr. only added to his reputation as a fighter who never shies away from a challenge.
With the ink barely dry on his new contract, speculation is already swirling about Benn’s next move inside the ring. Will he pursue a trilogy fight with Chris Eubank Jr.? Or will he finally land a blockbuster showdown with American star Ryan Garcia, a bout that has been teased for months and could headline one of Zuffa Boxing’s planned London events in 2026? Garcia’s own promotional status remains up in the air, with conflicting reports about his contract with Golden Boy Promotions. Garcia has claimed his deal expires on February 22, while Oscar De La Hoya insists multiple fights remain on the agreement. Whatever happens, fans are watching closely—especially since Benn is expected to be ringside for Garcia’s next fight against Mario Barrios, raising the tantalizing prospect of a face-off or even an in-ring confrontation.
Benn’s ambitions don’t end there. He’s made no secret of his desire to win the WBC title, a belt that carries deep personal significance thanks to his father’s iconic reign. Whether that dream will be realized under the Zuffa banner remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the boxing landscape has changed, and the rivalry between Dana White and Eddie Hearn has just reached a fever pitch.
As Zuffa Boxing gears up for a slate of high-profile events and continues to court top-tier talent, all eyes are on Conor Benn’s next steps. Will his gamble pay off with the legacy fights he craves, or will the sport’s shifting alliances throw up new twists and turns? For now, the only certainty is that boxing’s promotional wars are more intense—and more entertaining—than ever before.
Stay tuned as the story develops and the next chapter in the Conor Benn saga unfolds under the bright lights of Zuffa Boxing.