Conor Benn has signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing, parting ways with Matchroom Boxing after more than a decade under the Eddie Hearn banner. The 29-year-old British welterweight announced the move on social media, becoming one of the first big names to join Zuffa Boxing as the new promotion expands its roster under TKO Group Holdings.
Conor Benn leaves Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing and causes a major upset
Benn’s record now stands at 24 wins and 1 loss, with 14 stoppages, and he enters Zuffa after a pair of high-profile clashes with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025, winning each by unanimous decision in separate fights. Those meetings drew large crowds and kept him in the commercial center of British boxingeven though he does not yet have a recognized world title.
Zuffa Boxing, the new venture launched under the UFC/TKO umbrella, is still establishing itself in the sport and does not yet have its own championship structure. Benn now becomes one of the promotion’s first headliners, joining IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who signed with Zuffa in previous weeks.
His relationship with Matchroom and Eddie Hearn
Benn’s entire professional career, all 25 fights, took place under Matchroom, starting from his debut in 2016. Hearn guided him through breakout stadium events and stood by him through serious setbacks, including a failed drug test in 2022 that ruined his first fight with Eubank Jr. delayed and attracted regulatory and public scrutiny.
In his public statement, Benn thanked Hearn and Matchroom for their support during both ‘highlights’ and ‘tough times’, adding that he would like Hearn to continue in some capacity as his team develops.
What Benn said in his own words
Benn’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) framed the switch around opportunity and ambition, not bitterness. He wrote:
“First and foremost, I would like to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they have done for me over the past decade. From mentoring me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They have been with me at those high points and stood shoulder to shoulder with me through the tough times. It has been a journey beyond anything we could have imagined, and for their belief, support and guidance I will always be truly grateful.”
Then he turned to his new chapter:
“But Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity that I simply couldn’t refuse. I would like to see Eddie continue to be part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this new chapter. I am filled with excitement and hunger for what lies ahead with Zuffa Boxing. I want the legendary fights, the biggest nights, the biggest stages. I fear no man, and I am ready to give the fans the fights they have been asking for. I am in my prime, and together we have bold, ambitious plans.”
Dana White’s opinion and what it means for boxing
Dana White, CEO and president of the UFC and one of the figures behind Zuffa Boxing, called Benn’s signing a “huge asset” and described him as an “absolute beast and a superstar.” White said Benn is “ready for another world title” and expects him to headline for the new promotion.
The terms and duration of Benn’s contract were not disclosed, but the move signals Zuffa’s willingness to focus on established, marketable names early in its existence. The deal also adds a new layer to the broader tension between White and Hearn, following the launch of Zuffa and recent public comments from both sides.
What next for Benn
At 29 years old and in his athletic prime, Benn is positioned as a focal point for Zuffa’s efforts to enter the welterweight and middleweight markets. Before his split with Matchroom, he had expressed interest in title-level fights, including possible bouts with names like Rolando Romero, the winner of the welterweight clash between Mario Barrios and Ryan Garcia, or even Shakur Stevenson.
With Zuffa Boxing, Benn is effectively betting that the UFC-linked structure can deliver the “biggest nights, biggest stages” he mentioned, while still keeping one foot in the ecosystem he built with Hearn. Whether that gamble will pay off in titles and paydays will depend on how quickly Zuffa can sign high-level opponents and secure TV and streaming windows.
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