Conor Benn has signed a promotional deal with Zuffa Boxing, parting ways with Matchroom Boxing after more than a decade under Eddie Hearn’s banner. The 29‑year‑old British welterweight announced the move on social media, marking one of the first major names to join Zuffa Boxing as the new promotion builds out its roster under TKO Group Holdings.
Conor Benn ditches Matchroom for Zuffa Boxing in major shake‑up
Benn’s record now stands at 24 wins and 1 loss, with 14 stoppages, and he enters Zuffa coming off a pair of high‑profile clashes with Chris Eubank Jr. in 2025, each winning a unanimous decision in separate bouts. Those meetings drew large crowds and kept him at the commercial center of British boxing, even though he has yet to hold 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 early headliners, alongside IBF and Ring Magazine cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia, who signed with Zuffa in the preceding 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 during serious setbacks, including a 2022 failed drug test that delayed his first bout with Eubank Jr. and drew regulatory and public scrutiny.
In his public statement, Benn thanked Hearn and Matchroom for their support through both “highlight moments” and “tough times,” adding that he would like Hearn to continue in some capacity as his team evolves.
What Benn said in his own words
Benn’s announcement on X (formerly Twitter) framed the switch around opportunity and ambition, not acrimony. He wrote:
“First and foremost, I want to thank Eddie and the entire team at Matchroom for everything they’ve done for me over the past decade. From guiding me when I first turned pro, to headlining stadium shows. They were with me for those highlight moments and stood shoulder to shoulder with me during the tough times. It’s been a journey beyond anything we could have imagined, and for their belief, support, and guidance, I will always be truly grateful.”
He then pivoted to his new chapter:
“But Zuffa Boxing presented me with an opportunity I simply couldn’t refuse. I’d love Eddie to continue to be part of my team and for our partnership to evolve in this new chapter. I’m filled with excitement and hunger for what’s ahead with Zuffa Boxing. 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’s view 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 addition” and described him as an “absolute beast and a superstar.” White said Benn is “ready for a world title next” and expects to see him headline fights for the new promotion.
Terms and duration of Benn’s contract have not been disclosed, but the move signals that Zuffa is willing to target established, marketable names early in its existence. The deal also adds another layer to the wider tension between White and Hearn, after Zuffa’s launch and recent public comments from both sides.
What’s next for Benn
At 29 and in his athletic prime, Benn is being positioned as a centerpiece 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 potential bouts with names like Rolando Romero, the winner of the Mario Barrios–Ryan Garcia welterweight clash, or even Shakur Stevenson.
With Zuffa Boxing, Benn is effectively betting that the UFC‑linked structure can deliver the “biggest nights, the biggest stages” he cited, while still keeping one foot in the ecosystem he built with Hearn. Whether that gamble pays off in titles and paydays will depend on how quickly Zuffa can lock in high‑level opponents and secure TV and streaming windows.
