Conor Benn joins Zuffa Boxing after split with Eddie Hearn's Matchroom

Conor Benn has left Eddie Hearn's Matchroom to sign with zuffa boxing, the boxer announced while thanking his former promoters and saying he wants "legacy fights" and "the biggest stages. " The move follows Benn's rematch victory in November and leaves him positioned for a world-title run as he aligns with the new promotional outfit backed by UFC president Dana White.

Zuffa Boxing signs Conor Benn

Benn's switch places him in a stable led by Dana White. White described Benn as a major addition and called him a superstar, praising his performances. Zuffa Boxing staged its first event in January and has publicly stated an ambition to reshape professional boxing, including a longer-term aim to make its belt a premier world title alongside the Ring Magazine title, an organisation linked to Turki Alalshikh.

zuffa boxing and world-title path

The move comes at a time when Benn is on the cusp of a major title opportunity. He has won 24 of his 25 professional bouts, with his only loss coming earlier to Chris Eubank Jr; Benn reversed that with a rematch victory at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in November. After that win he moved down in weight to pursue a world title and has been confirmed as the mandatory challenger for the WBC welterweight belt, currently held by Mario Barrios. Barrios is scheduled to defend that title against Ryan Garcia on February 21 in Las Vegas, and Benn has publicly said he is ready to fight the winner.

Eddie Hearn: "I misjudged the character"

Eddie Hearn said he felt blindsided by Benn's decision and took responsibility, saying he had misjudged the character and that he was "pretty devastated. " Hearn said he had hoped for a direct conversation and that he had expected greater loyalty after a decade-long partnership that included guiding Benn from his professional debut and headlining stadium shows. Benn's own statement thanked Hearn and the Matchroom team for their support over the past decade and expressed hope that Hearn could still be involved in future fights.

• Benn is 29 with a 24-1 professional record and returned to winning form in November.
• He has signed with Zuffa Boxing as he seeks "legacy fights" and a world title opportunity.
• Benn is the WBC mandatory challenger; the Barrios vs. Garcia defence on February 21 is the immediate path to a title shot.

Analysis and forward look: Benn's alignment with Zuffa Boxing links a high-profile British contender to a promoter openly aiming to alter boxing's sanctioning landscape. His mandatory challenger status for the WBC belt and the scheduled Barrios–Garcia defence create a clear near-term path: if the champion remains, Benn stands to press his mandatory claim; if the title changes hands, Benn has stated readiness to seek the winner. The new promotional setting also signals Benn's stated priority of staging major, legacy fights on large stages. Uncertainties remain about how existing promoter relationships will be managed, and Benn has not publicly confirmed detailed next opponents beyond his expressed interest in the winner of the Barrios–Garcia matchup.