Conor Benn Leaves Matchroom for Dana White's Zuffa Boxing as Eddie Hearn Says 'I Misjudged the Character'

Conor Benn has ended his long-standing relationship with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom Boxing and signed with Dana White's Zuffa Boxing. conor benn framed the move as a step toward "legacy fights" and the biggest stages, while thanking his former promoters for a decade of support.

Conor Benn's move to Zuffa Boxing

The 29-year-old, who has 24 wins and one loss from 25 professional bouts, departed the promoter he had been with since turning professional to join Zuffa Boxing. Benn paid tribute to Eddie Hearn and the Matchroom team for their role in guiding his career, from his early days as a pro to headlining stadium shows. He described himself as "filled with excitement and hunger for what's ahead with Zuffa Boxing" and said he wants the legacy fights fans have been calling for.

Zuffa Boxing is backed by UFC chief Dana White and Saudi financial support. The outfit staged its first event in January and has publicly set out an ambition to reshape professional boxing, including an aim to position its own world title alongside another prominent independent title and to challenge the established sanctioning bodies.

Eddie Hearn reacts to Conor Benn departure

Eddie Hearn characterized Benn's decision as a painful surprise. Hearn said he felt he had shown loyalty that would not be repaid in this way and acknowledged personal responsibility, stating he misjudged the character. He described the moment as devastating and said he had reached out after receiving notice from Benn's legal team but was rebuffed when he sought a conversation.

Hearn made clear the split was unexpected given the decade-long partnership and the support Matchroom offered during difficult periods in Benn's career. The promoter expressed a sense of loss and the difficulty of accepting the turn of events.

What the switch means for Benn's career and title plans

• Benn's record stands at 24 wins and one loss, his lone defeat coming against Chris Eubank Jr earlier in their rivalry; he avenged that loss with a rematch victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November.
• Benn has publicly expressed a desire to fight at the highest level and pursue major, legacy-defining bouts.
• His suspension after positive tests for Clomifene led to a two-year dispute with authorities; that suspension was lifted in November 2024, after which he returned to the ring and regained momentum.
• Recent developments have put Benn close to world title contention, with commentary noting he is on the verge of challenging for a world title and discussions pointing to the WBC pathway in particular.

Under Zuffa Boxing, Benn is positioned within a promotional push that seeks to create marquee events and to elevate its own championship framework. He has also expressed that he would welcome continued involvement from his former promoter in future fights, while making clear he is ready to take on the biggest names at any weight.

The split and new signing close a significant chapter in Benn's career and open another amid a broader promotional shake-up in the sport. Recent changes in boxing promotion and the arrival of a deep-pocketed competitor mean Benn's immediate future is likely to focus on securing high-profile opponents and title opportunities under his new promotional arrangement. Details about specific match dates and partners were not included in the initial announcements, and plans may evolve.